Gissing, Anita

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 251183 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Hazel Meadows

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 years and 15 years in a house in Kesgrave, Suffolk. There is one step to access the premises and a downstairs cloakroom. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities but children predominantly play in the dining/playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog, cat and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range, who attend part time. She also offers care to children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She walks or drives children to and from local schools and pre-schools, attends a local childminding group and local toddler groups. She takes children to local parks and play areas and to nearby places of interest.

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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 relaxed in the welcoming, home-from-home environment. They are offered a broad variety of play and learning experiences, both in the home and on outings, and make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is establishing and refining a method of monitoring children's progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a positive approach to children's individuality, which is reflected in the resources and activities. She maintains positive and trusting partnerships with parents and has some liaison with other settings. All required documentation and procedures are in place to ensure children's welfare and safety and most work well in practice. The childminder reflects on her practice to make improvements but does not have a systematic method of a self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations of each child's achievements to identify learning priorities and to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  establish closer partnerships with other settings the children attend in order to ensure their progression and continuity of care This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop a systematic method of self-evaluation to record strengths and to identify and address any areas for further improvement, for example, ensuring the risk assessment covers anything a child may come into contact with.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home, time and resources well to support children and to meet their varying routines and needs. She has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and is clear of her role and responsibilities to protect children. She has attended relevant safeguarding training and knows what action to take if she had concerns about a child. The childminder and her husband have had Criminal Records Bureau or police check clearance. The childminder undertakes risk assessments in her home, to minimise risks to children, and most aspects are identified and rectified. The childminder is taking steps to make safe a panel heater in the cloakroom, to ensure it does not pose a potential burning hazard to children. All appropriate fire equipment is in place and the emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly with the children to promote their safety.

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the early years provision

Available space is well utilised and all appropriate resources are available to support the care of the children. Good quality toys are plentiful, clean and well maintained and are readily accessible to the children. The childminder values children's individuality and has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity. This is reflected in some of the resources and activities and is an area for ongoing development. She works closely with parents to support any additional needs a child may have. She has organised documentation and gathers comprehensive details about the children, to promote their welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops very positive and trusting partnerships with parents. Parents' comments and feedback are welcomed and the childminder encourages frequent, two-way, verbal communication, to ensure children's individual needs are met and to promote continuity of care. Parents' recently written comments, acquired for the inspection, are very positive. They clearly value the childminder's support and reliability and her positive impact on their child's wellbeing, learning and development. She establishes verbal links with staff at the local pre-school and nursery, who are also delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, partnership working is not always sufficiently developed to enhance the progress and continuity of care of particular children. The childminder reflects on her practice and has made some changes and improvements to her documentation and practice in recent years. However, she does not maintain any systematic

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the early years provision

method of self-evaluation, to highlight strengths and to identify areas for development, to improve the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and happy with the childminder and her home. Plentiful, age- appropriate resources are easily accessible to the children in low-level storage, enabling them to make their own choices. They confidently make requests for additional toys, which they know are available, stored in the adjacent garage. The childminder regularly rotates the toys and activities to promote ongoing interest and variety. The range of toys and activities is supplemented with visits to local groups and places of interest. The childminder regularly meets up with other registered childminders at the local drop-in group or on outings. This offers children opportunities to mix with other children and learn more about the world around them, for example, as they visit local animal farms and parks.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a variety of creative experiences, such as cooking, and have opportunities to explore different media such as paint, play dough and cutting and sticking. For example, children enjoy sticking collage pieces and using the scissors to cut a fringe along the edge of the paper. Children's own ideas and creations are encouraged and valued. Children's imaginative play is well supported with small world toys and dolls. Additional props, such as dressing-up clothes and the play kitchen and utensils, encourage and enhance role play. Children have access to a range of appealing books, and trips are sometimes made to the local library to enable children to make their own book selections. Children's communication skills are encouraged and supported well. The childminder talks freely with the children and is attentive to their conversation. Children's problem solving skills are encouraged as they do puzzles and piece together the railway track.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the areas of learning. She records succinct observations in learning journey booklets, some of which are supported by photographs. Observations are linked to the relevant areas of learning and a few identify the children's next steps but they are not always utilised to inform future planning for individual children. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. She has an inclusive approach and supports children with any particular needs to ensure they are well integrated. Children begin to have some appreciation and understanding of the diversity around them as they visit different groups and look through books with the childminder. Children are generally well behaved as they are well occupied and clear about the reasonable boundaries of acceptable behaviour, reinforced by the childminder's firm and consistent approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise which promotes a healthy lifestyle. They regularly play in the garden or go on outings to local places of interest in the community. This time is used by the childminder to help children learn about road safety. Larger alternative equipment is available at local play areas, offering children a greater level of physical challenge and opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe as they gain confidence. Good hygiene is promoted, with children mostly reminded to wash their hands before eating or after toileting. Children are encouraged to eat nutritious snacks and meals, including fruit and vegetables, and drinks of water are available at all times, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensuring children are well hydrated. Children's routines are well maintained and supported in close co-operation with parents, for example, children are able to

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and outcomes for children

sleep and rest according to their needs. 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 3 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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