Storr, Mandy Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343257 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Esther Darling

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in an area of Newark. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with a bathroom also available to children on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the propery is gained via a small step up into the porch then through the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is also registered to work with an assistant. The childminder is currently minding four children under eight years and she also provides care for children over the age of eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she also takes children on outings to the park, shops and library. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a rabbit. 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

Children access a suitably inclusive environment, allowing them to make satisfactory progress because the childminder has a basic knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder maintains friendly and informal relationships with parents which allows for children's individual needs to be met, thus promoting their welfare and continuity of care. The childminder has evaluated her practice and has highlighted areas of strength and identified some aspects of where her service would benefit from improvement. Action has been taken to secure improvement and therefore the childminder is able to demonstrate the capability to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve consistency in managing children's behaviour more effectively and in a manner appropriate for their stage of development and particular individual needs  improve involvement with parents to better enable the identification of children's starting points, learning needs, and support for extending learning in the home. 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 appropriately and their welfare is protected because the childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and what action she would take if concerned about a child in her care. Children's safety is thoughtfully promoted because the childminder supervises them well and has undertaken risk assessments and reduced hazards to children whilst having her house altered. All the required records to promote the well-being and continuity of care for children are kept. These include attendance, personal details and written permission to obtain medical treatment or advice for children in the event of an emergency. The childminder keeps careful records of any accidents that happen and shares these with parents. She ensures that children are well cared for on outings because she carries information and equipment with her to deal with any accidents or emergencies. The childminder meets all children's

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the early years provision

needs, at different times. She addresses most undesirable behaviour appropriately, but is not always consistent in her approach. This means that it is not always clear to children what is expected of them. Children are encouraged to wash or have their hands cleansed before eating, to minimise cross infection and the childminder demonstares good hygiene practice by wiping the table down with antibacterial solution.

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the early years provision

Communication between the childminder and parents allows for an adequate amount of information pertaining to the child's daily care routine and what they have been doing. The childminder has sought the views of parents with regards to the quality of the setting in the form of a questionnaire, with positive feedback about their care and the activities offered. Basic written policies and procedures including how the childminder safeguards children and deals with complaints are shared with parents. The childminder does not have direct contact with other settings that the children attend, and therefore relies on parents to exchange relevant information between all parties to ensure children's continuity of care. Children do make satisfactory progress, however this is not maximised as the childminder does not yet find out their starting points or involve parents in any ongoing assessment of their development and learning.

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the early years provision

The learning environment is stimulating and accessible. The house is currently undergoing some structural changes, and the childminder is managing this well so that children have access to the equipment, furniture and facilities that they need to play, eat and relax. The childminder ensures that toys are stored in a way which makes as many of them as possible accessible to all children who attend. The childminder teaches children about some festivals and celebrations and provides dolls and books to show positive images of race and culture. The childminder ensures that children go outside in all weathers and this includes the spacious and attractive garden. Features such as large wind chimes add to the sensory experience of being outdoors. The childminder has written a self-evaluation and identified a need to improve her knowledge and use of systematic observation and assessment of children's achievements and progress. Recommendations from the

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the early years provision

previous inspection have been addressed; plug sockets are covered and permission is sought from parents to leave children with an unsupervised assistant for short This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 periods of time. This better safeguards children's welfare and makes systems clear to parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She promotes all the areas of learning which enables children to make acceptable progress towards all the early learning goals. Children regularly have opportunities to be creative and explore media and materials such as glue and collage. Babies happily play with cause and effect toys and this helps them to develop problem solving and critical thinking. Older children enjoy making pretend cups of tea and coffee, offering them to adults and the childminder sometimes supports this role play when asking about sugar in the cup of tea. Pre-school and young children request a sticking activity and are learning to use a glue stick and select feathers, glitter and jewel shapes to decorate pre-cut shapes. These activities allow for some creativity and small hand skills. The childminder supports children, giving praise and

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and outcomes for children

encouragement when appropriate. This has a positive impact on children's sense of self-worth. The childminder observes and records some of their achievements and matches these to various areas of learning; this enables her to understand what stage of development each child is at and to provide appropriate activities. Children engage in a varied range of play and experiences. Nevertheless, there is not yet a systematic process to identify each child's learning priorities, and plan specific activities for the individual on a short term basis.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is committed to teaching children how to stay safe. Children confidently negotiate their way around the indoor and outdoor environment. Young children competently manage the step up to the decking areas whilst pushing a doll in a pushchair. Children enjoy their time in the childminder's home and develop appropriate relationships with the childminder. Sometimes children play contentedly alongside each other, and pre-school children show support and kindness to younger children and babies. Children's behaviour is variable, and sometimes younger children show frustration. Children are developing an understanding that people have different customs and lifestyles. For instance, for Diwali children cut out hand shapes and decorated these with colouring in or patterns. To celebrate Chinese New Year, they cut out dragons to stick shapes on and played dragons with a large piece of material.

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and outcomes for children

Babies and children are learning to adopt healthy lifestyles and although the childminder does not provide meals, parents send in their children's lunches which are nutritious and well balanced. The childminder complements this with fruit for snack, reinforcing positive messages about healthy eating. Babies show that they are settled and secure in their environment and have a well-established routine which is supported by the childminder. Young babies communicate their needs, which the childminder responds to. They respond immediately and spontaneously to music, moving their bodies rhythmically when the childminder puts a familiar musical programme on the television. Babies and young children investigate toys, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working out what actions have affect on others and this helps to develop their skills for the future. 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 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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