Evans Katie Violet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276604 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Sue Riley

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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 co-minds with her mother who is also a registered childminder. The childminding takes place in this childminder's home which is situated in Hemel Hempstead, within walking distance of the park, local shops and schools. The main living room, the kitchen, and the downstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for two children, of whom, one is in the early years age range. These numbers may be increased when working with the co-minder. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has a dog. The childminder has a car to transport children and takes children on regular walks to the local park and visits places of interest.

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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

A child-friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show suitable levels of self-esteem because the childminder knows them very well and values them as individuals. The childminder has developed a close working relationship with parents, which helps her to understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. All aspects of children's welfare are suitably promoted which means that children are fully safeguarded. The childminder is starting to use the self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement and this is being used to ensure that the provision for children is continually improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the assessment procedures so that children's progress is clearly documented and used to plan effectively for the next steps in each child's learning  develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify current strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children  extend the risk assessments for outings to cover all the different types of outings. 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 as the childminder has implemented an effective policy and procedure which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents and carers of her responsibilities to ensure children are fully protected. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16, and about her experience and training. The childminder effectively maintains most of her records and policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure and are well organised. Systems are in place to review all policies and procedures to ensure they are kept up-to-date with current guidance. Records of risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home used for childminding purposes and the childminder makes regular checks to identify

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the early years provision

and minimise any hazards. The childminder's risk assessment for outings does not cover all the different types of outings. Effective safety measures are in place with regard to the premises. The door to the house is kept locked and the gate outside in the rear garden has a secure lock fitted to prevent unwanted visitors from entering the premises, ensuring children are safe.

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the early years provision

Parent partnerships are promoted well through discussions to meet children's individual needs and parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's care needs, likes and dislikes, cultural and religious requirements. Equality for all children in the childminder's care is promoted and the childminder is aware to adapt activities to ensure they can engage and progress their learning. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily as she talks and shares records about what the child has been doing throughout the day. The childminder is very aware of the need to have an effective partnership with other providers to fully support children in their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She attends regular training to keep her knowledge and understanding fully up-to-date. The childminder has started to develop a system of self-evaluation in order for her to demonstrate that she is effectively reflecting on her practice and identifying strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement within her service. She organises the environment effectively to ensure children have suitable areas for play and rest. The childminder is very aware of children's individual needs and plans effectively to ensure toys and activities are accessible to all.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements to promote children's learning and care. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play and how they develop. Children's welfare needs are met and they achieve as well as they can as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder adapts activities to ensure they can all participate. The childminder is recording her observations of the children and planning activities so she can support them to further their learning. However, she does not assess the children against the observations so is not able to clearly show children's progress and identify any areas of weakness. The indoor and outdoor environments are set up for children's learning and allow children free choice of activities and resources. Lovely warm and caring relationships between the childminder and the children are

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and outcomes for children

evident. Children feel good about themselves because the childminder offers frequently positive support, praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are taught about safety issues as part of the daily routine. They are given gentle reminders about being careful when closing the door as not to trap their fingers, child then proudly tells the co-minder that they closed the door and didn't trap their fingers. The childminder recognises that children need to take safe risks for them to learn about keeping themselves safe, so they observe at a safe distance when children climb on an object to reach a higher branch of a tree when looking for monsters. The children practise the evacuation procedures so are learning what to do in the event of an emergency. When out with children the childminder encourages them to follow good road safety techniques, this helps children learn to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

The good health and well-being of children is encouraged. Children know what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They have plenty of fresh air and exercise, going on regular walks and enjoying play in the garden or on more challenging equipment at the local parks. The childminder provides a range of healthy meals and snacks for children and encourages them to follow appropriate hygiene routines. For example, each child has their own individual towel to prevent the risk of cross- infection. Children have the choice of eating their lunch inside or outdoors in the fresh air. They choose outdoors and a canopy is provided to make a sheltered area.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to understand boundaries, rules and limits and to understand why they exist. They are learning to use their manners and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children follow house rules and show a strong sense of security and feel safe within the setting. For example, when some water is spilt whilst painting they confidently get down and mop up the water with paper towels. They are praised by the childminder who encourages independence at all times. Children are also encouraged to help with the tidying up of the toys, again positive praise is used so the children fel good about themselves and know that they are valued. Three pictures that the children have done around feelings are displayed and the children point to the 'happy' picture and tell the childminder they are happy today, this demonstrates that they have a sense of personal identity.

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and outcomes for children

Children play imaginatively and the childminder encourages this. Fishing nets are used to catch all the monsters in the garden as they go on a monster hunt which is initiated by the children. Language is encouraged and children talk well about what interests them. They have conversations and respond to simple instructions. Children build with the plastic building blocks and make an aeroplane, they then count backwards from 10 to 'blast off' and fly their aeroplane into space to Mars to look for aliens. Children gain a very good sense of belonging to the community as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder takes them out daily to different places, which offer different experiences. They do activities to help them understand the wider world. For example, they have recently celebrated Chinese New Year, where the children ate Chinese food with chop sticks and attempted to do Chinese writing.

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and outcomes for children

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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