Armitage, Amanda Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361562 Inspection date 29/03/2011 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Warton, Lancashire. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The garden is available for outside play. The family has a pet dog and two goldfish.

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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 four children aged under eight years at any one time. She is registered to provide overnight care for two children. There are currently two children on roll, both in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes the children to local parent and toddler groups and the local children's centres.

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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 happy and relaxed as the childminder offers warm, affectionate care that supports their welfare and learning. Inclusive practice is assured and all children are treated with equal concern. The childminder provides good opportunities for children to learn and develop within the Early Years Foundation Stage ensuring they make good progress in their learning. The childminder establishes successful partnerships with parents and other providers to ensure continuity of care and development. Most of the required documentation is in place, well organised and up-to-date. The childminder shows a good capacity to promote continuous improvement by reflecting on her practice to ensure ongoing improvement in all aspects of her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children's starting points are recorded and used as the foundation for their learning and provide parents with regular opportunities to add to children's developmental records  update the complaints procedure and log to ensure accurate information is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She has attended recent training to ensure her knowledge is up-to- date and secure, enabling her to act upon any concerns. Policies and procedures are in place to inform parents of her duty of care. Children play in designated This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas of the childminder's home and also in the fully enclosed outdoor play area. She has taken many steps both inside and out, to ensure children's safety, for example, installing a fire guard and safety gates. Written risk assessment documentation has been effectively implemented to cover the many different venues the childminder takes the children to and all areas of the house which are accessed by the children. She supports these by completing daily visual checks. The childminder has devised a detailed evacuation plan for the home and this is

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the early years provision

regularly practiced with the children and records of these drills are maintained.

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the early years provision

Information regarding the childminder's practice is shared with parents, enabling them to make informed choices in the care of their children. Policies and procedures which underpin the good quality care provided are in place, however, the complaints procedure and reporting record do not reflect up-to-date information and legislation. The childminder records the information she gathers from parents regarding children's individual needs, their abilities and routines. This enables a smooth and stress free settling in process. Parents talk to the childminder about children's achievements or events at home. However, she does not record children's starting points to use as the foundation for their learning on entry to the setting and parents are not routinely encouraged to add their comments to children's developmental records. Feedback from parents is positive and comments praise the childminder's provision and her professionalism, in

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the early years provision

particular, how well their children have settled and the progress they have made. The childminder maintains good links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children's learning and provide continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her strengths and some areas she wishes to develop and has used the Ofsted document as the formal system of self-assessment. She demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement, through her attendance at short training courses to ensure her knowledge and skills are kept up-to-date. The childminder has a good understanding of promoting equality and diversity. This has a positive impact on her childminding with children's individual needs well met and equality promoted at every opportunity. The childminder has a varied range of interesting, age appropriate resources to engage the children and promote their understanding of their local community and the wider world. She deploys herself well to support children's play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. Her interaction with the children is good and she clearly enjoys their company. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning, development and welfare requirements. She completes detailed observations on the children during activities, links these to the areas of learning and identifies children's next steps. The childminder uses meaningful photographs to support her observations and is now developing her systems for recording future planning. The childminder provides children with a wide range of play and learning opportunities, and resources are accessible to encourage children to make independent choices. She knows the children well and is fully aware of their individual interests and play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 preferences. This supports their enjoyment and achievement well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder actively promotes children's communication, language and literacy through the many opportunities she provides. For example, the childminder shows the children a range of shells following a trip to the beach. She introduces new vocabulary such as smooth, spiky and shiny as the children feel the shells and chat to the childminder. The childminder skilfully introduces other areas of learning into activities with the children, for example they talk about and identify the big and little shells which she links to problem solving and knowledge and understanding of the world as they talk about where the shells are from and who used to live in them. The childminder and children sit happily together as they read stories and play with the props from the story sacks. The children learn about animals such as kangaroos and koala bears in the stories and enjoy sharing the small animal figures from the sacks and taking turns to complete tasks. Children's physical

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and outcomes for children

development is well provided for. They have access to the childminder's well resourced garden; where they use wheeled toys, play on the slide and the small seesaw. In the home the children have opportunities to use ride on toys and takes their dolls for walks in pushchairs in the childminder's long hallway. Regular outings include visits to the local park, to feed the ducks, attend community groups and have fun in the local soft play centre. During the inspection younger children enjoy pressing the buttons on the electronic toys and dancing to the music they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and well-being is supported and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Good attention is given to keeping the care environment clean and children adopt good personal hygiene routines. Children's dietary needs are met as the childminder ascertains relevant information relating to their individual needs and parents' preferences. Children learn about the benefits of healthy eating and the childminder offers nutritious and well-balanced snacks and meals. Drinks, which are freely available to the children, are provided throughout the day to ensure children remain hydrated. Children's behaviour is good. All children are valued and the childminder helps build their confidence and self-esteem through praise and encouragement. Appropriate behaviour such as using good manners, sharing and taking turns is encouraged and children are content, secure and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's

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and outcomes for children

care. 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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