Allen, Maxine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356439 Inspection date 17/03/2011 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 2007. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in the Braunstone district of Leicester. All of the childminder's home is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a small 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. There are currently seven children on roll of whom five are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 settled and content at the childminding setting, where they make good progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the six areas of learning and has implemented systems to enable her to observe children's learning. She has a good understanding of each child's individual needs and regard is given to inclusive practice, with the childminder valuing and respecting children's individual personalities. The childminder has policies and procedures in place; most of which are up-to-date and reflect practice, however, a record of risk assessments has not yet been implemented. Links with parents are in place and information is shared daily. The childminder shows an enthusiasm and commitment to developing her practice, which provides a strong basis for her capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, maintain a record of these particular aspects including when they have been checked and by whom and review at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 31/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review policies and procedures to reflect the requirements of the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage framework and ensure that these are shared with parents  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risk for outings and trips  regularly complete sensitive observational assessment and identify children's next steps in order to plan and fully promote their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her duty to record and report any child protection concerns. She has attended a basic child protection training course, ensuring she is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Overall, children play safely because the childminder remains alert and has some safety features in place, for example, cupboard locks and a fire blanket. The childminder shows through discussion a good understanding of the actions she takes to maintain children's safety. However, there is no record of any risk assessments for the home and garden. This is a breach of regulations. The childminder also takes appropriate actions to maintain children's safety when on outings, but has not recorded the details of this in a risk assessment.

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the early years provision

Friendly relationships exist with parents and the childminder discusses and shares her written policies and procedures with them outlining how she works prior to their children starting. However, some of these policies do not reflect current legislation and the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure parents receive correct information. Daily verbal feedback ensures that parents are kept informed about their children's learning and care. The childminder gathers relevant information in order to meet children's welfare needs, for example, diet and medical requirements. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards sharing and gathering information about children with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage when this becomes necessary.

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the early years provision

Settling-in procedures are flexible and the childminder takes time to build secure, trusting relationships with children. All children are welcomed into the setting and their individual needs are met and respected. The childminder provides a good range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity and disability and the children enjoy joining in the celebrating of festivals. Resources and planned activities enable children to develop their understanding and respect of differences and the wider world. The childminder has made improvements to her provision since her last inspection. She has met the recommendation raised by accurately completing the register at the time of arrival and departure of the children and she promotes continuous improvement in her setting by continuing to look for ways to develop her service. The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and through discussion has included the views of parents in this process.

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the early years provision

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 happy and settled in a welcoming environment. They are confident and motivated as the childminder understands their needs and interests and enjoys spending time with them. Good use is made of the space in the setting, so that children can move around independently and choose from a good range of age appropriate resources which cover all areas of learning. Children benefit from a flexible routine, which includes a balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. The childminder uses photographic evidence to record children's time with her and to show how they are learning and developing. However, observations in children's records are not completed regularly enough and they do not identify their next steps, to fully promote and log their development.

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and outcomes for children

The children are involved in a good range of activities with a wide variety of resources freely available to them. They have many opportunities to develop their creativity as they roll, mould and shape the play dough using plentiful cutters to make shapes and patterns. Their individual paintings, drawings and sticking pictures are displayed in the playroom and in their individual 'My story' scrapbooks. Children have many exciting opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder has used a local authority grant to purchase a computer with which children of all ages are developing their skills of using the mouse and keyboard. They listen to the educational programmes and show excitement as they click on the correct answer. The childminder's clear understanding of each child's ability enables her to offer support where it is needed. Children are learning about planting and growing flowers, fruits and

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and outcomes for children

vegetables as they have regular opportunities to be involved in these activities. The childminder and children share their love of books and children are encouraged to select books from the wide range available. They happily look at them alone or listen to the stories read to them by the childminder who ensures she provides books which link to their individual interests, for example, dinosaurs.

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and outcomes for children

Good opportunities for outdoor physical activity help children to develop a positive attitude to exercise and an understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They go on regular trips to the park where they enjoy climbing and balancing on the fixed equipment and they have daily opportunities to play in the childminder's safe and enclosed garden. The childminder further promotes this lifestyle through the provision of healthy snacks, such as, fresh fruit. She encourages children to develop an understanding of personal hygiene, for example, they learn to wash their hands after toileting. Children develop a growing understanding of personal safety through practising road safety on outings and the childminder manages their behaviour well. Her calm, patient manner and continuous use of positive praise raises children's confidence and self-esteem. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) (also applies ot the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 31/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 31/03/2011

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