Parker Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220854 Inspection date 09/03/2011 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 years in the Links View area of Northampton close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range and she is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends toddler groups regularly.

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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 provided with a good range of stimulating play materials and activities in this friendly, safe and inclusive setting. The childminder promotes children's care, welfare and learning well and they make good progress. The childminder has implemented mostly effective systems for observation and assessment. Effective partnership with parents ensures that all children's needs are met and they are kept well informed about their child's progress. The childminder has begun to reflect on her daily activity with the children and she is keen to continue to develop this further, to ensure that well targeted plans for her future development are identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for observation and assessment by identifying each child's next steps in learning, making some spontaneous observations and implementing a system to ensure a balance of evidence is in place across the six areas of learning  improve the risk assessment to cover each type of outing  develop further the systems for self-evaluation to continue 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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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a well-organised approach to managing her provision which ensures that she is able to give each child plenty of individual attention. Her interaction with the children is very good and she promotes a calm and harmonious atmosphere for them to which they respond positively. Children's welfare is safeguarded. All the adults in the household have been appropriately vetted and the childminder has implemented mostly effective systems for risk assessment that means risks to children are identified and reduced. However, although children are safe during outings the risk assessment does not currently cover the outings the childminder does with them. Children have access to a very good range of play materials and resources that cover all six areas of learning. The resources are beautifully maintained and are located in the living room and in the dedicated playroom. The children are confident to move between the two areas to

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the early years provision

make their own choices from the low-level table, boxes and shelves. The childminder understands the needs of each child. She provides them all with an inclusive experience and sets out a range of play materials; particularly for babies and toddlers who enjoy rummaging around in the boxes of toys to find the items they want.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the effective partnership working the childminder has developed with their parents. For example, parents receive detailed verbal feedback each day that relates to their child's sleep, food intake and nappy changes as well as information about the activities they have enjoyed. Children's parents can have access to their child's record of achievement at any time, the childminder ensures these are shared with parents every couple of months and they are invited to add their own comments if they wish. These comments are then incorporated into the planning of activities for that child. The childminder is aware of the benefits to children of working in partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and with any other agencies that may be involved with them. The effective communication and partnership working contributes significantly to a smooth transition and a consistent approach for the

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to implement systems to reflect on her practice with the children to ensure she is able to respond to their needs. She knows them all well and constantly considers how she may be able to adapt her practice or activity for the benefit of individual children. The childminder is keen to continue to develop these systems in order to identify areas of strong practice and to focus on her priorities for the future. She demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement. For example, she has taken positive action on the recommendations made at the previous inspection and she has recently achieved a Level Three qualification. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and confident in the childminder's home. They move around between their chosen activities and seek comfort and reassurance from her as they need it. They separate happily from their parents when they arrive and settle quickly to sleep at rest times. They respond to the childminder's positive facial expressions and interaction with them. The childminder is skilled at anticipating their needs for changes to activities, food and rest times. She sits on the floor with babies and toddlers providing them with lots of encouragement and reassurance during their play. This promotes children's confidence and curiosity. For example, they show confidence to go into the play room to find different toys and go to the kitchen to get their drinks when they are thirsty. Children are protected from cross infection because the childminder follows effective procedures for nappy changing such as cleaning the mat thoroughly

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and outcomes for children

between each change and disposing of nappies in the outside bin. She has high standards of hygiene in her home and stores the children's packed lunches safely. Although parents provide the children's food, she discusses any dietary requirements with them which enables her to offer snacks and drinks if needed. Older toddlers are encouraged to help tidy away when they have finished playing and the childminder talks to them about safety and being careful around their friends. When out walking she talks to them about looking for cars when they cross the road. This general daily discussion begins to develop children's awareness of safety. Children are treated as individuals and with respect. The childminder knows them all very well and ensures they have access to activities that they are interested in. For example, babies enjoy being supported to sit in a baby nest surrounded by toys of different textures that they reach out for and

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and outcomes for children

explore by looking at them and turning them over in their hands. Older toddlers enjoy using the play tray puzzles and the interactive toys. They laugh and smile when they press the buttons to make music. Children begin to learn about the wider world. They have access to a good range of resources that celebrate diversity and the childminder ensures that all children present are able to join in with the planned activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides the children with a range of activities and resources that are appropriate for their ages and that cover all six areas of learning. She plans some of the activities such as painting and play dough to ensure that the youngest children can be supervised and the children also have lots of time for free play. They enjoy going on regular outings to indoor play areas and toddler groups where they can mix with other children. The childminder has devised mostly effective systems to record the children's progression in their development. Each child has a very well presented file that contains observations, photographs and samples of their art work. The written observations are recorded once each month and are linked to the relevant areas of learning. However, currently, no spontaneous observations are recorded alongside the monthly record to clearly demonstrate children's progression during the month. Although she is extending the activities

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and outcomes for children

for the children, she does not currently identify specific next steps in learning for each child that are linked to the observations made. The childminder carries out informal planning of activities that takes account of each child's interests. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 watches them play to find out what they like to do, then plans further activities around this interest that extends their learning. She asks parents about their progress at home and takes account of their comments. Children demonstrate clearly that they are happy and settled in the childminder's home and her gentle and inclusive interaction promotes their feelings of security and well-being. 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 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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