Jennings Nicola Faith

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 222038 Inspection date 21/03/2011 Inspector Anna Davies

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and one child aged 14 years in a village close to St.Ives, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are located upstairs. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, toddler groups, the library, shops and parks. The family has two dogs, two cats, one guinea pig, one hermit crab and a bearded dragon.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently a variation to the conditions in place to allow the childminder to care for four children in the early years age group at specific times. She is currently minding seven children in this age group, all on a part time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder is working towards the Early Years and Childcare Quality Framework.

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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

The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and homely environment for children, promoting their welfare. She develops a good knowledge of each child and works closely with parents to ensure that individual care needs are fully met and inclusive practice is promoted. Children enjoy participating in a varied range of stimulating activities which allow them to make good progress in their learning and development. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. The childminder demonstrates a firm commitment towards improving and continuously developing the provision and is in the process of developing and using clear systems of self-evaluation to enable her to do this.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the child protection policy is written in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures.  develop further the systems of self-evaluation to clearly identify and prioritise specific areas for further development and improvement and how these will be addressed, monitored and evaluated in terms of improved outcomes for children. 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 a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and has continued to refresh her training in this area; this knowledge is underpinned by a written policy which is shared with parents'. However, this policy is not written in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures to ensure that the childminder has an accurate point of reference in the event that she has concerns about a child in her care. Good quality risk assessments are conducted for the premises, both indoors and outdoors as well as for all types of outing undertaken. Clear records are maintained. Risk assessments show the childminder has a good understanding of identifying and minimising risks to children's safety. The childminder is well organised; clear documentation and good record keeping promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly settled and comfortable in her care. Toys and resources are stored in the garage so the childminder asks the children what they wish to play with and sets up a good range of activities and toys in the lounge. She is just developing a book of photographs of all her toys so that children can be reminded of the range available and make further choices. Children are encouraged to move freely between the indoor and outdoor environment in finer weather. This ensures that effective use is made of the garden and the good learning opportunities this provides. The childminder knows individual children very well. She fully respects that children come from a wide variety of family situations and ensures a flexible service so that she can meet both parents and children's needs at all times. One parent particularly comments that 'without her flexibility,

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the early years provision

life would be very hard'. She has clear systems in place to support any additional needs that children may have and works closely with parents to ensure that these needs are fully met and that strategies are consistent with those used at home and those advised by other professionals working with the child.

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the early years provision

The childminder works positively in partnership with parents. Clear information is gathered from parents about their child before they start so that the childminder is aware of children's needs and backgrounds. A good range of policies contained within an informative welcome pack, gives parents clear information about the service provided. Daily diaries are used for younger children to record aspects of children's care and verbal feedback is given to all parents. This ensures that they are fully aware of their child's day and parents comment that they find this very effective. The childminder has recently sought formal feedback from questionnaires issued to parents and children. Feedback is very positive making comments such as 'the kids always come first' and 'nothing's too much trouble'. Children draw their favourite activities such as construction activities and the ball pool. All of this feedback helps the childminder to ensure that her provision meets

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the early years provision

the needs of its users. Consistency is effectively promoted when children attend more than one setting. For example, the childminder has established effective partnerships with other providers also caring for children in her care. She ensures that pertinent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information relating to their learning, development and welfare is shared to ensure a consistent approach between the different settings and home.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to continuously improve. She has a clear vision that focuses on ensuring that parents and children receive a good quality service. She feels that it is a privilege to be trusted by parents to care for their children. She is committed to attending many training courses and is proactive about bringing back ideas from these and implementing them to benefit the children she minds. For example, following a 'Talking Matters' conference, the childminder has set up a quiet area at one end of the lounge, with a wide range of books, enabling children to relax on duvets and cushions whilst reading. The childminder has just completed her part of the Early Years Quality Framework evaluation tool. This shows that she has a clear understanding of her strengths and what she does well. She has some ideas for further development and is waiting for the Early Years Advisor to return so that they can identify, prioritise and note down areas for further improvement

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the early years provision

and development. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been suitably addressed to ensure that permissions from parents' relating to the seeking of emergency medical advice and treatment as well as that relating to the application of sun cream, are in place. This ensures children's well-being and effectively safeguards them in the event of an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered a good range of activities and learning experiences. This together, with effective support from the childminder, ensures that they make good progress in their learning and development. During a painting activity, the childminder supports individual children well as she introduces colour recognition and reassures those children who worry about the mess, that it is fine. Children enjoy using paint dabbers before the childminder introduces bowls of paint for them to mark-make using their fingers. The childminder knows individual children well and respects their choices. For example, some children do not like getting paint on their hands so she ensures that there are also sponges to print with too. The childminder challenges children in their learning and development effectively. For example, during a game of football, she sees that a child is more than able to kick the ball into the goal whilst close so she challenges him to stand further back,

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and outcomes for children

before praising and cheering him when he scores another goal. The childminder is mindful about giving children time to work simple problems out for themselves such as how to retrieve the ball when it goes behind the goal and how to try to complete harder jigsaw puzzles, before offering her help telling them 'It's teamwork'.

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and outcomes for children

Effective systems of observing and assessing children's learning and development are in place. Each child has their own assessment scrapbook which contains a good range of information to evidence the progress they are making. Regular observations are recorded and most are linked clearly to the areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Next steps are identified and this information is used to inform the planning and support of both adult and child-led activities. The childminder has just set up a system to encourage parents to contribute their own observations of their child's learning at home, to help enhance assessment arrangements. Children's overall progress towards the Early Learning Goals is monitored effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are encouraged to be considerate of others, to share and to take turns. Some children spontaneously do this, for example, as one throws the ball to the other who is then waiting to kick the ball into the goal. They have good opportunities to socialise when they attend a variety of toddler groups with the childminder. Children enjoy a good range of mark-making activities such as drawing, painting, painting with brushes and water outside and in materials such as cornflour and water mixed together. Older children begin to ascribe meaning to their marks, for example, drawing favourite pictures from their imagination or pictures of their family members. Children's language is developing well. The childminder repeats key words back to younger children so that they continuously hear the correct pronunciation. She responds positively as they initiate conversations and make

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and outcomes for children

comments during their play. Children hear and use number language in their play. For example, they count with the childminder 'one, two, three, go' as they kick the ball and the childminder tells them to put 'two hands' out ready to catch. They begin to understand about height difference, for example, as they measure themselves against their older siblings. Children enjoy learning about the world around them through visits to places of interest such as animal centres and farm shops where they can learn to appreciate a wide variety of interesting animals such as crocodiles, raccoons and water buffalo. The childminders large collection of pets gives children further opportunities to learn about the care of different types of animals. Children grow fruit and vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes which gives them the opportunity to learn about why organically grown produce is good for you. Children are learning an appreciation and respect of people's

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and outcomes for children

similarities and differences through a good range of activities and resources reflecting diversity. All of these simple activities begin to lay secure foundations to support the children's future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children get plenty of exercise and fresh air. They enjoy being in the garden; digging bark, riding sit and ride toys, playing football and negotiating the slide where they carefully climb the steps and turn themselves around until they are facing the correct way. Their creative development is effectively promoted through a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, music, role play, dressing up, construction and cooking where they also learn to weigh and measure ingredients. The childminder encourages children to develop and express their ideas. For example, as children get on sit and ride toys, she asks them where they are going and what they are going to do when they get there which extends their imagination.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes the welfare of the children she cares for. She provides a clean and homely environment and ensures that there are good hygiene routines in place. For example, children use individually named hand towels to dry their hands which ensures that the risk of cross-contamination is minimised. Children wipe their hands before snack and ensure that after touching any of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pets, their hands are sanitised. Food is provided in the main by parents although some snacks such as raisins are provided by the childminder. The childminder is mindful that children eat adequate portions of fruit and vegetables through their lunchbox provision and that they learn to eat healthier options first. The childminder ensures that children have access to drinks when they wish so that they remain well-hydrated throughout the day. Accident and medication records

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and outcomes for children

are well maintained and contain good detail to ensure children's wellbeing and safety is promoted. Clear documentation is in place to support children who take long-term medication. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of behaviour management, praising and encouraging children as they play which boosts their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Children are encouraged to develop a good understanding of their own safety as well as that of others. For example, a recent Fire Safety week enabled children to learn about keeping themselves safe in the event of a fire and the older children were challenged to create fire evacuation plans for their own homes. When out and about, children are encouraged to think about road safety, finding safe places to cross as well as not talking to people they do not know. 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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