Bott Janette Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225166 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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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 three children aged 19, 17 and 15 years in Cossington village in Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, and takes children to the local library and park. The family have one pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 13 children, of whom two are in the early years age range.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and content at the childminding setting, where they make satisfactory progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the six areas of learning and has set up observation systems to enable her to enhance children's learning; however, these are not yet fully effective. Regard is given to inclusive practice and the childminder values and respects children's individual personalities. Most health and safety procedures are effective in practice and the childminder has a sound awareness of safeguarding procedures. The childminder has made improvements to the quality of her provision since her last inspection and is using the Ofsted self-evaluation form as the basis for her ongoing self-reflection. Links with parents are in place and sound information is shared on a daily basis.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning, observations and assessment systems to gather and use children's starting points, identify their next steps in learning and provide opportunities for parents to contribute to children's individual learning and development records  review policies and procedures to reflect the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, ensure that these are all shared with parents and make sure Ofsted contact details are freely available  improve children's personal hygiene routines with particular regard to hand washing and drying. 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 clear understanding of the types and signs of child abuse and she knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. She attends training to ensure her knowledge remains up-to-date. Consequently, she would be able to quickly identify a child at risk of harm and be able to obtain appropriate support for them. A safeguarding policy that outlines her responsibilities in this area is shared with all parents. Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children and visitors to the home have their identification checked. The childminder has installed safety equipment to help protect children. For example, she has a safety gate, fire guard and smoke alarms are fitted on each level of the home. The childminder completes risk assessments on the home, garden and outings undertaken with the children to help her monitor the environment and

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the early years provision

Sound procedures are in place to enable close working partnerships with parents. The childminder discusses and shares some written policies with them outlining how she works prior to their child starting. However, some policies are not readily available for inspection or shared with parents and Ofsted contact details are not freely available in the setting. Daily verbal feedback ensures that parents are kept informed about their child's learning and care. The childminder gathers relevant information in order to meet children's welfare needs, for example, diet and medical requirements. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards sharing and gathering information about children with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure a consistent approach.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive service for all children and their families and adapts activities to ensure that they can all join in whatever their age or stage of development. Children are becoming familiar with differences as they play with a range of toys that positively promote diversity and learn from the positive attitude of the childminder. A sound commitment to self-evaluation and reflection is demonstrated by the childminder to promote the development of her childminding practice. She liaises with other childminders and the local authority childcare coordinator to share ideas and seek support and guidance. The childminder has started the process of self-evaluation by completing the Ofsted form. She is identifying some of her strengths and areas for development which enable her to promote continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well-settled in the childminder's comfortable family home. They enjoy an appropriate balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities which provide challenge and enjoyment. The childminder plans a range of outings for the children which they enjoy and happily go on. As a result children are eager and motivated to take part. The childminder completes observations of children during This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities and is linking these to the areas of learning. This enables her to offer a varied programme of learning opportunities to the children. However, the childminder does not identify children's next steps to ensure their progress is purposefully planned for, children's starting points are not gathered and used and parents are not encouraged to contribute to there children's learning files.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a suitable range of activities for the children which offer them challenges in all areas of learning. The childminder ensures activities are appropriate for the ages of the children attending and she adapts her interactions to ensure they are all included and able to take part at their own level. Children enjoy creative play as they have opportunities to paint and draw. Children play with the salt dough, they use a sound range of tools, such as, rollers and cutters, making shapes and moulding the dough. Children chatter to each other and the childminder as they play and receive the support they need to achieve with the dough. The children enjoy the close relationships with the childminder and they happily sit closely with her on the sofa as she reads their favourite stories to them, for example, 'The dark at the top of the stairs'. The children join in with the familiar text as the childminder reads to them. She asks children questions about

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and outcomes for children

the picture books, for example, the colours they can see. Children confidently answer the questions and are able to name many colours receiving lots of positive praise from the childminder. Children's knowledge of nature and the natural world is actively promoted as the childminder encourages them to look at snails in the garden. She has worked with the children to make a wormery enabling them to see how the worms use the leaves and foliage they are given. The childminder has sectioned off part of her garden which the children use as a vegetable patch. Together they have successfully planted, grown and tasted carrots, runner beans and tomatoes. The childminder uses such activities to promote children's understanding of healthy living and also links physical activity into this lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

Children have daily opportunities to enjoy outdoor play both in the childminder's garden and the local community. They enjoy riding the wheeled toys, bouncing on the space hopper and playing on the fixed equipment. During the inspection the children were thrilled as the childminder blew bubbles and they chased them around the garden trying to catch and pop them. The childminder takes children for walks in the community and to the local park and library. Overall, children's health and safety is promoted. Children are learning about personal hygiene practices as they understand the need to wash their hands before eating and after playing in the garden and using the toilet. However, the children currently share a bowl of water for hand washing and a towel to dry their hands. This does not prevent possible cross-infection. Children are provided with a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. They are learning about keeping themselves safe on

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and outcomes for children

outings as they follow safe road crossing procedures and the childminder ensures they carry a business card with her details on to further promote their safety. Children's behaviour is positively promoted as the childminder uses age appropriate strategies, lots of praise and a consistent approach which ensures the children feel confident and happy. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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