Elliott, Karen Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306668 Inspection date 31/03/2011 Inspector Mr Rasmik Parmar

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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 1996 and she lives with her son aged 16 years and her adult daughter in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are available to children. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play area. The childminder is close to local amenities, including a library, parks and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of each child's individual needs and ensures that she promotes all aspects of children's welfare. Children are making adequate progress in their learning and development. There are satisfactory systems in place to maintain continuous improvement. Children are developing a good understanding of the wider world because the childminder is committed to inclusive practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify children's starting points as a basis for maintaining assessment records  develop further children's assessment records so that they are evaluated and the next steps identified in their learning and show their progress towards the early learning goals  develop systems for planning activities for children to take into account their identified next steps  provide information to parents about their child's progress towards the early learning goals  develop links with other providers where children attend more than one setting to ensure coherence and consistency in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a secure and thorough awareness of issues surrounding child protection and is confident in how she would implement her procedures to ensure children's safety. Risk assessments are detailed, clearly written and regularly reviewed. The childminder supervises children well at all times and they are taught how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is welcoming and child orientated. A good range of play materials and furniture are provided, enabling children to play comfortably. Equipment and resources fully promote equality and diversity. They are of a good quality and suitable for the ages. Children confidently and independently help themselves to resources they want to play with.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with daily feedback about their child's care routines and a good working relationship has been established with the childminder to ensure children's needs are met. However, the quality of information provided to parents with regards to their children's progress towards the early learning goals is lacking. Parents are provided with an information pack which includes key policies and procedures which underpin the childminder's practice.

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the early years provision

Children also attend other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as school nurseries. The childminder has established good relationships with the setting and has shared information about dangerous plants. However, the childminder does share information with them about the child's assessment records to ensure continuity in learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has satisfactory systems in place for self-evaluation and she obtains information from parents through regular questionnaires to improve her service. However, identified areas for improvement have not been put into place. She meets with local childminders on a regular basis to share ideas and improve practice. She has attended training courses to maintain her knowledge of early years as part of continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing adequately in their learning and development towards the early learning goals. The childminder has just started to maintain assessment records for children and these are in the early stages. She is not aware of children's starting points so that she can effectively start the process of maintaining assessment records for children. She has carried a very limited amount of observations of children, which are linked to the six areas of learning, to identify the next steps in their learning and development. The childminder is not aware of using the identified next steps to inform future planning. Also, the assessment records do not show clearly children's progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are well behaved, know what is expected through consistent role modelling by the childminder and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children

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and outcomes for children

have a balance between freedom and safe limits. The childminder understands that suitable types of activities and appropriate levels of support gives children confidence to take risks and to try out new skills as she knows their capabilities well. She talks to children about safety during outings and younger children wear safety reins for added security or sit in the single or double pushchair. The childminder ensures greater safety measures for babies when in high chairs as she uses a five point harness.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes positive outcomes in relation to promoting children's welfare. She promotes children's health through establishing appropriate procedures and routines to manage illness, infection and hygiene to minimise cross-infection. This results in children developing a sound understanding of health and personal care. Parents provide all the food for their children so that they are fully aware of the nutritional content. The childminder serves children their food, including snacks and drinks, appropriately throughout the day. The childminder encourages healthy eating and has discussed with parents the importance of fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of language development and engages children in activities such as singing nursery rhymes such as 'row, row, row, your boat'. Children enjoy reading and they choose books they like to read, often repeatedly with the same books which they enjoy. Children use a range of resources to promote counting and problem solving and this is integrated well into their daily play. They learn to count books, blocks and songs. Children learn to solve problems through jigsaws and puzzles.

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and outcomes for children

Children love picking up leaves, acorns, pinecones and seeing birds and squirrels in the trees when out in the park. They enjoy growing cress, tomatoes, carrots, planting flowers and gardening. They also visit local shops, the library and parks as part of learning about the local community. Children participate in cultural festivals from around the world such as the Chinese New Year. They make lanterns or dragon faces on paper plates and even eat noodles. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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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