Smith, Sarah Fiona

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY262492 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 in Grays, Essex. The whole of the home is used for childminding. Access to the premises is via a small step to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 are currently 11 children attending who are within the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She works both alone and with an assistant. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Thurrock 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

This childminder has developed an outstanding understanding of the individual needs of children in her care. This enables her to support their learning and development exceptionally well. Children's safety and security is given high priority inside and outside the premises and all visitors sign in and out in the visitors' book. This ensures that learning opportunities take place in a very safe, well risk- assessed environment. Excellent partnerships with parents and carers ensure that the needs of each child are admirably met. However, partnerships with others providing the early years foundation stage to children, is not yet fully effective. Systems for self-evaluation comprehensively ensure that priorities for development are identified.

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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 partnerships with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to minded children.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant are particularly enthusiastic to develop the provision's exceptionally high standard of learning. There are excellent policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures that strongly support practice. These are shared with parents and carers to ensure they are well informed. The childminder and her assistant are tremendously committed to working in partnership with parents and carers as they understand the importance and benefit of partnership working. Parents are invited to the setting and are able to share their children's assessment records. They contribute to children's learning journeys, giving them plentiful opportunities to be involved in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant are very competent and friendly. They are available each session to give verbal feedback to parents. Excellent strategies are in place to encourage parental involvement at the initial assessment meeting and to help parents support their children's learning at home. Parents complete questionnaires, which show they greatly value the care and education provided.

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the early years provision

An extremely thorough, informative safeguarding policy is shared with the assistant and is available to parents. This ensures children's well-being is not compromised. A rolling programme of training with regard to safeguarding ensures they are fully up-to-date with current legislation. Excellent security is in place inside and outside the home and on outings. The childminder regularly undertakes very effective risk assessments to ensure the environment and activities, both indoors and outdoors, remain safe for children. Children are secure within her care and learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they know not to run inside and talk about road safety and stranger danger. This helps reinforce their understanding of staying safe.

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the early years provision

Continual evaluation of the provision enables the childminder to identify areas for improvement and detailed self-evaluation and action plans are in place. Emphasis and consideration is given to the views of children, parents and her assistant to ensure an outstanding quality of service is provided. Questionnaires completed by children and their parents are used to improve or develop existing excellent practice. Activities are adapted to meet children's needs and enable them to reach their full potential. This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to evaluation and a child-centred approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to play and learn in an extremely child-friendly environment, both inside and outside. The childminder is very intuitive about children who attend and has an exceptional understanding of child development and how they learn. Children are provided with an outstanding range of play and learning opportunities as the childminder uses her knowledge to support their interests. Older children enjoy activities, such as, painting, sand, water and interactive stories. Younger children have fun with treasure baskets made up of household items with a mixture of textures. All children participate in outings to local venues such as, Gray's beach and the woods. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children work extremely well in small groups. For example, they use shaving foam to make shapes and letters and they share animals and join in with the interactive

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and outcomes for children

'Old MacDonald's Farm' story. Children are respectful of toys and equipment and help tidy away at the end of each session. As a result, children are motivated and inquisitive learners who enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistant.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is exceptionally dedicated to the provision of a fun, happy learning environment for children. She is attentive, respectful and listens to children, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The excellent processes in place ensure assessment, observation and planning for children's next steps are appropriate and effective. Very good strategies are in place to involve parents to support their children's learning. Parents are provided with a copy of the extensive policies and procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a bright, stimulating and highly child-orientated environment. All areas are inviting and child-friendly with examples of children's art work displayed. Excellent opportunities are available to children outdoors, including outings to local venues, which cover all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare is particularly well promoted. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink from a menu of healthy foods from different cultures. They sit in small groups at the table, which provides an excellent opportunity for socialising and general conversation.

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and outcomes for children

All equipment and resources are of good quality and well maintained. The atmosphere throughout the session is calm and welcoming. Children learn about and celebrate different cultures and traditions such as, St David's Day, Chinese New Year and Pancake day. Activities relating to similarities and differences are available and the childminder uses these effectively to support children in their learning. 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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