Collins, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204982 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Diane Hancock

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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 1992 and works with an assistant. She lives with two child aged 13 years and four years in a detached house situated close to Worcester city centre. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with sleeping and bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register to care for six children at any one time. There are seven children on roll of whom three are within the early years age range, one of which attends part time. She is also on the Childcare Register and cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 happy and form good relationships with the childminder, her children and with each other. Her practice is inclusive as she gets to know the children and their families well so that she has an awareness of their individual needs. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development because the childminder organises a wide range of activities and outings. The childminder is experienced and cares for children well however, not all of the welfare requirements are in place due to her lack of knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has good relationships with parents as she spends time talking and keeping them informed of their child's care, and has appropriate relationships in place with other providers. The childminder has not established a suitable system of self-evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to meet requirements. However she has begun to update her

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

knowledge demonstrating a capacity to improve.

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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 of the environment and for outings and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 14/03/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children are protected as the childminder has a sound understanding through attending recent training of safeguarding procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. The childminder and her assistant are suitable to be in contact with young children. Ratios are maintained to ensure children receive attention and quality care. Children of all ages attend out of school care and are well supervised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a visual risk assessment of the premises and maintains a well-organised and safe environment where hazards are minimised, such as use of stair gates and reins when outside. However, she has not complied with the welfare requirements that she maintains a record of the risk assessment for the environment and for specific outings, this potentially compromises safety. Children are kept safe when in the home and garden due to the very secure premises. The childminder is well prepared for emergencies and carries with her a first aid kit and contact details. Procedures are in place for recording accidents and for the safe administration of medicines. The childminder is very well organised with daily routines including the preparation of three meals each day and appropriate nappy changing procedures to ensure each child's individual health and care needs are well met.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to meeting the needs of the families and offers a comprehensive service. She continues to purchase some resources and activities are flexible and undertaken to meet the individual wishes and needs of the children in her care each day. The childminder has not kept up to date with legislative changes, or evaluated her practice to identify improvements such as, maintaining a first aid training. However on identification of this she has updated her first aid training and intends to improve her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage demonstrating her capacity to improve.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from continuity of care because the childminder has good relationships with parents. She gathers information from parents regarding children's routine and their development through several introductory sessions to ensure children settle quickly. Parents are informed through discussion and photographs regarding their child's care and developmental progress. The childminder liaises with the nursery to ensure consistency. 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 have a good sense of belonging within a home environment. Children of all ages are included in structured activities, sometimes these are based around a theme. The childminder knows the children's abilities, characters and interests well and gives individual attention to support their learning needs, such as language development. Children are sociable and confident as they ask questions and initiate conversation while playing. They enjoy singing action rhymes and karaoke together with the childminder. Children enjoy stories about a 'furry monster' and eagerly look forward to seeing the story at the theatre.

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and outcomes for children

They develop a range of creative skills as they enjoy colouring and exploring a variety of materials, such as play dough. Children develop their pre-writing skills as they play with pens and stencils and are supported to learn their letters. Older children benefit from the childminder's support while doing their homework.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy spending time engrossed in their play with dolls, kitchen items and railway track as they develop their imaginations. They learn about the world and develop an awareness of diversity through discussions, eating different foods, looking at library books, watching television programmes and exploring a wide range of outings including museums.

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and outcomes for children

Children are polite, have good manners and are well behaved. They share nicely and respond well to the childminder's routines, praise and encouragement. Children of all ages clearly have a close relationship with each other and enjoy sharing in each others' special birthday tea and chosen activity. They develop their independence skills as they spread their own sandwich filling, feed themselves from a young age and put on their own coats. These are useful skills for their future.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities for fresh air and enjoy a wealth of outdoor experiences; exploring the natural environment throughout the seasons. They enjoy seeing lambs at the farm, feeding swans, collecting conkers to play with creatively back at the house. Children enjoy playing in the well-equipped garden, in the paddling pool, building an igloo in the snow, making dens and playing games such as cricket. Physical skills and exercise is also promoted through dancing and visits to parks suitable for all ages. During school holidays all the children benefit from a superb range of outings to widen their experiences, including the beach, local attractions and country parks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children's mathematical knowledge when baking cakes and they learn about numbers when singing songs such as 'monkeys jumping on the bed'. Children develop good fine motor and problem solving skills as they complete complex jigsaws and help other children to do so. Children have access to electronic toys and interactive video game exercise equipment to develop their technical skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder supports individual health care needs well and meets parents' wishes regarding sleep routines. Children develop an understanding of personal hygiene with appropriate routines in place. Children enjoy the social occasion of meal times and they learn about healthy eating as they help prepare and eat a variety of healthy home-cooked meals and snacks. Children's understanding of safety is consistently supported through daily routines, such as wearing safety

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and outcomes for children

straps in high chairs, helping to tidy away and learning about fire and the recent practise of a fire drill. Children feel safe and secure as they have good relationships with the childminder and confidently talk about events in their past and planned activities as they look at photographs. 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 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 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

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email. (Procedures for dealing with complaints)(also applies to the voluntary part of the childcare register) 14/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 14/03/2011

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register(Procedures for dealing with complaints) 14/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 14/03/2011

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