Ward, Katrina Frances Lynette

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY263052 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Julie Biddle

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and three children in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently caring for 3 children in the Early Years age group, on part-time basis. She is also caring for children outside of the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of a Childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a vibrant learning environment where children are safe secure and completed settled. She has developed strong systems to track children's progress in order to promote their future learning. Highly effective partnerships with parents and other agencies ensure children's individual care and learning needs are met. Overall all paper work is in place. The childminder rigorously monitors the quality of the service she provides and continually makes sustained improvements to her provision.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop the written safeguarding policy to include the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or a family member

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and regularly updates her training. She fully understands procedures to follow in the event of any concerns relating to children, although the written safeguarding procedure lacks the specific procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against herself or a family member. The childminder ensures her home and equipment are very well maintained. She completes comprehensive risk assessments of the premises and the activities children are involved in. The highly comprehensive procedures ensure that risks to children are minimised, meaning they can play and explore without hazard or fear. In addition the very regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings in the community are risk assessed keeping children safe at all times. Children play and learn with the close support of the childminder, she takes every

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the early years provision

opportunity to promote children's independence, free movement and use of a stimulating range of resources. All equipment and areas are regularly checked and levels of supervision ensure children's safety at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear vision for her development and has fully embraced the importance and benefits of self-evaluation. The opinions of parents and children are central to the self-evaluation process. Consequently, the childminder has an accurate view of her many impressive strengths and what she aims to achieve in order to progress further. She is committed to ongoing training and development and regularly attends training and uses what she learns to reflect on the service she offers. This ensures that the service is progressive and reflects the needs of the children and families she cares for. She demonstrates an excellent capacity to maintain her very high standards.

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the early years provision

The childminder informs herself fully of each child's family and home circumstances as well as their individual routines to promote their wellbeing. She promotes equality and diversity comprehensively and as a result, all children are supported to make as much progress as they can. Her very effective planning systems for the individual child helps to narrow the achievement gap and support all children's progress. There is a range of toys and resources which help to promote children's understanding of diversity within our society. Furthermore, diversity is valued through recognising special events and festivals in the community and that are special for the children attending.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages very effectively with parents. She provides them with a wide range of information about her setting and about the provision she makes for their child. They receive a comprehensive range of verbal and written information, including daily feedback, and newsletters. Learning and development files are freely available to them. Written and verbal feedback from parents indicates they are very pleased with the care their child receives, particularly the wide range of activities provided and the affinity she shares with the children. In addition strong links are forged with other settings the children attend such as nursery school. The childminder sees her role in influencing practice outside of her own home as an important responsibility.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well settled and totally relaxed in the care of the childminder. She knows each child really well, and as a result she makes toys and activities available to them which provide excellent support for their development. Children have plenty of room to spread out in her home and make choices according to their personal preferences. Toys are freely available to the children to make independent choices about the play. The childminder provides excellent support and extends the child's learning as she involves herself in the activity. For example, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children choose to play with dolls and play car seats, the childminder uses this play to discuss safety in the car and how to use the seats safely. This results in the children considering safety as they play. The childminder ensures she provides children with a variety of activities which support their progress in all areas of

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and outcomes for children

learning, and as a result they are very well prepared for the future. For example, children's language development is skilfully supported through memory games, reading stories and lots of chat as they play. Children particularly enjoy story time which is enhanced by the use of puppets and props.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly rotates her large variety of resources to provide children with continual stimulation and challenge. She has adapted a questionnaire which older children use to give her their feedback about what they like to do. Children enjoy an excellent balance of free choice and adult-led activities and have many opportunities to socialise with other children at child centred groups. Each child has a comprehensive learning and development file in which the childminder records her observations and makes an excellent analysis of their future learning needs. As a result, children make superb progress as they take part in activities which they find highly enjoyable and which are accurately suited to their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder supervises them carefully and provides gentle reminders about safe play. Children say in their questionnaires of the service 'they feel safe.' Children practise regular fire drills and topics related to road safety help to promote their personal safety. They have access to drinks throughout the day and receive well- balanced nutritious meals. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that their dietary needs are met. Children plant seeds and bulbs which they then harvest to make soup, developing their knowledge of the natural world and of healthy eating. Excellent hygiene routines are established and children are encouraged to become highly independent in their self-care. For example, individual towels are placed where they can be easily reached in the cloakroom. Children enjoy daily opportunities to play in the fresh air, developing their physical

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and outcomes for children

skills as they use the equipment in the childminder's garden, go for walks and visit local parks. Children are delighted as they dig for treasure and find gold coins in the garden a letter from a pirate tells them they can keep the coins. The childminder extends this activity by encouraging the children to compare the length of wiggly worms they find as they dig for treasure.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well because the childminder has extremely high expectations of them and sets consistent and fair boundaries. She knows each of them very well and as a result, caters her support to help every child develop a clear sense of right and wrong and learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children form very strong relationships with her and each other. The childminder encourages children to show consideration for others. Regular praise from the childminder builds children's self-esteem very effectively. Children are learning about being responsible for their own future as the regularly visit the recycling centre and take peelings to the compost area. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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