Appleton, Deborah Kathleen

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY320926 Inspection date 30/09/2010 Inspector Keriann Belcher

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and children aged nine and 12 years in the County of Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding with rest and toilet facilties upstairs. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three child in the early years age group. The family keep guinea pigs, a rabbit and a dog as pets.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are generally settled and happy in the childminder's care. She shows warmth and kindness to them and provides a secure, stimulating environment to help them grow and progress in their development. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans an exciting curriculum to meet each child's individual needs, interests and routines. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practices and demonstrates she has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement in the service she provides. Risk assessments are in place covering most aspects of the provision.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend the risk assessments to include checking fire evacuation routes and the hazards assoiciated with the sharing of towels following hand washing

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of safeguarding children in her care and is aware of the indicators of child abuse and the child protection procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. The childminder further safeguards children by carrying out risk assessments on her home to identify and minimise potential hazards. The childminder has takes reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children and others on the premises in the case of a fire such as smoke alarms have been installed and a fire evacuation plan is practised by the older children. However, the stairs are not clear and may prevent an obstruction in the event of an emergency evacuation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practices and can identify areas for improvements. She is keen to attend further training courses to support her

p.4

the early years provision

learning and wishes to attend additional safeguarding training and widen her understanding of play to benefit children learning. Suitable arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection because children do not attend when they are ill. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and this helps her to deal appropriately with accidents. All the required records, such as attendance, medication and accident records are in place to promote the children's welfare.

p.5

the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides an inclusive provision to children and families. Children are supported as the childminder is aware of their individual needs and routines through discussion with parents before their child starts. The childminder has an awareness of children's cultural needs and acknowledges the diverse world we live in.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parent and carers are suitably promoted. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their child's day through verbal feedback, provides written feedback on their child's learning, she also sends regular newsletters to update them on general matters of interest relating to the setting. Parental comments indicate they are very happy with the service the childminder provides. The childminder understands the importance of effective communication with nurseries and schools that the children attend to further promote their learning and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and feel safe as they respond positively to the individual attention they receive from the caring childminder and her assistant. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements and has developed good methods for observing and assessing children's development. She uses the 'development matters' guidance to support her with her observations and help to plan new experiences to extend children's learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Young children have good opportunities to make decisions about their play and enjoy sitting on the floor playing with a range of exciting activities. The childminder is skilled in understanding the importance of talking with children and constantly talks about what the children are doing and responds to the children's babbling and early words. Children enjoy looking at books and recognise some of the pictures, pointing to them and beginning to say the words. Young children have opportunities to develop their knowledge of shape and space as they attempt, sometimes successfully, to fit shapes into spaces in a puzzle cube.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder takes reasonable steps to ensure children in her care remain healthy and free from cross infection. Children do not attend if they unwell. The childminder talks with young children about the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times. However, all the children use the same towel to dry their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hands which compromises good hygiene practice. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables her to deal with any injuries. Currently parents provide some of the food for their children and the childminder ensures early feeding routines are in accordance with parents wishes. Children are developing an understanding of keeping safe as they take part in fire drills and learn about the importance of road safety when out walking and young children are safely harnessed into their pushchair or wear wrist straps.

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8