Wells Lorraine Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY309218 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Zahida Hatia

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two teenagers. Their home is in the Barton area of Gloucester. The childminder takes children to local amenities, such as school, shops and parks. The whole of the property is registered for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play. The childminder is prepared to take children to, and collect them from, Elmbridge Primary School. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. Care is provided on a full and part-time basis. Currently there are 12 children on roll on a part-time basis, three of whom are in the early years age group. The family has a pet dog and a guinea pig.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and are cared for in a warm, welcoming family home. The childminder works hard to ensure the needs of individual children are well met. Children progress well overall. This is achieved through generally effective daily two-way communication with parents. The childminder supports the children's welfare successfully, ensuring that they are safe and secure at all times. She is able to evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement in her provision well and strives to improve the support and learning experiences she offers to children in her care.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 build upon existing systems for observation and assessment to identify more clearly the next steps in children's learning, monitoring these against the expectations of the early learning goals, to check all are covered over a period.  improve systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process, to further encourage them to contribute to their children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge of how to safeguard children and to promote their wellbeing. She has a secure understanding of how to manage any concerns effectively and follows good routines to protect children's health, following her own policies and procedures in practice. All the required records, policies and procedures for the safe and efficient management of her provision are in place. Children play safely, both indoors and outdoors because the childminder carries out comprehensive risk assessments in all areas of her home and on outings. As a result of all these practices, children are safeguarded well. The childminder organises her home and play resources well, enabling children to make choices freely and safely. For example, children choose from a stimulating range of resources that support their independence skills, as equipment is easily available to them. Flexible daily routines are planned to provide children with a

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the early years provision

wide range of experiences, both in the home and the local community. The childminder ensures the continuous improvement of her provision by assessing and recording what is being done well and generally indentifying what needs to be improved. Good improvements have been made since the previous inspection with the childminder addressing the recommendation that was raised, so that the garden area is safe, secure and inviting for children to play in.

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the early years provision

Good working relationships between the childminder and parents ensure children's individual needs are identified and well met. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their children's development and are kept fully informed of their children's daily routines through the use of daily diaries. The childminder gives daily verbal feedback to parents with regards to older children. However, systems to involve parents in contributing to observations and assessments are not fully effective. The childminder liaises very well with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for children who attend other settings, to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has formed close and loving relationships with the children in her care. This helps them to feel at home and settle quickly. She recognises children's unique qualities and ensures that their individual needs are being fully met. The childminder takes individual children's interests into account when planning activities. These include the six required areas of learning. She ensures that there is range of planned, purposeful play both indoors and outdoors. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities, which help children to be active learners and make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children's abilities and involvement in different activities is observed and assessed using photographs of them participatin' in a stimulating range of play and learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences. However, information gained from observations and assessments is

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and outcomes for children

not always used to identify the next steps in childrens learning clearly or linked to the early learning goals. Children are sociable and confident with the childminder and visitors. Some play cooperatively with others and are learning to share and take turns. The childminder understands how to manage children's behaviour appropriately, for example, she praises their achievements that promotes their confidence and self- esteem. She recognises the importance of having a consistent approach and works closely with parents in order to achieve this. The childminder's appropriate approach to equal opportunities helps children learn about the wider community. For example recently children experienced activities related to the Chinese New Year through making and decorating hats and musical instruments. Children experience new tastes, including from other cultures; for example a younger child was offered noodles for lunch. This helps children develop their palettes, but also

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and outcomes for children

learn about diversity and have an understanding of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are engaged, happy and interested and are learning through their play. Children have free access to a range of books and enjoy looking through them. They learn about the natural world, as they enjoy visits to the City Farm and a duck pond to see the ducks and feed them. Visits to the city farm help children to learn about animals and what they like to eat. This is further supported through activities at the setting, as children digging and planting flowers and vegetables in the garden. The childminder supports the children's numeracy skills through everyday activities and routines. Children help the childminder to set out the table for lunch, counting the plates and forks needed. Children's creativity is nurtured well. They have access to a range of media including play dough, paints, art and crafts and develop early writing skills as they practice writing the letters in their name, so helping them gain

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and outcomes for children

Effective procedures ensure children are cared for appropriately when they are ill. This reduces the risk of the spread of infection. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene and help to prevent the spread of common illnesses. Children are gaining a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they take part in regular fire drills. They learn about road safety as they go out for local walks. The childminder provides a wide range of activities to help develop children's physical skills, whilst developing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For example, children regularly visit the local park to use the large climbing equipment and have access to the childminder's garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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