Brennan, Amy Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403098 Inspection date 12/04/2011 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and son aged two years old in Rock Ferry. The areas used for childminding are mainly on the ground floor, apart from the family bathroom and one bedroom, which are upstairs. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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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, of these, two may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range, but not all attend on a full-time basis. The childminder is also registered to provide care for children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to schools and places of interest. She holds an appropriate early years qualification and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy in the care of this childminder, who ensures they are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is very knowledgeable about the individual needs of children in her care and provides a range of stimulating activities that promote their development. The childminder continues to update her knowledge of childcare legislation and practices by attending additional training. She has begun to evaluate the service she provides and has a vision for the future to continually improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the range of resources and activites to promote children's awareness of difference, diversity and the wider world  develop further the self-evaluation process to identify the setting's strengths and areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and ensures that children in her care feel safe and secure at all times. A cohesive written safeguarding children policy, which complies with current guidance and details the procedures that will be followed should she have any concerns about a child in her care, is in place. Written policies are shared with parents prior to care commencing, ensuring they are aware of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsibility regarding child protection. Written risk assessments cover all areas of the house used and also the different venues visited with the children. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan and practises fire drills with the children she cares for. A record of when these have taken place is maintained. The childminder accurately maintains the required records for children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive childminding service where all parents and children feel welcome. She has a limited range of resources which ensure children gain an insight into the differing needs of people, not only within their local community but in the wider world. However, the childminder has started to incorporate planned activities which include seasonal, cultural and topical themes into her activity programme. The wide and varied range of play materials are rotated regularly and some are stored in a low-level cupboard. Children are encouraged to develop their skills of independence as they select the resources of their choice. The childminder considers sustainability by using recycled resources for children's activities. For example, empty small household cartons and yoghurt pots are used in the children's art and craft work and egg boxes are used to plant small flowers which

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the early years provision

are then given to their parents as gifts.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good and effective partnership with parents. They have access to all her policies and she obtains written confirmation that they have read and understood them. The childminder makes parents aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage through detailed discussion about how she will observe and record children's progress and development and through sharing records. She verbally shares information each day with parents, each child having a daily diary to encourage an effective two-way working partnership. The childminder uses questionnaires to seek out the views and thoughts of the parents about the care she provides and welcomes their thoughts and comments. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to liaise with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds. This situation has not yet arisen.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is well organised with play equipment which is easily accessible to the children. This enables children to initiate their own play and select the toys and resources they want to use. The children are settled and comfortable with the childminder and, although a little reserved when visitors first arrive, they are soon friendly and welcoming. They help themselves to resources or ask for things they want to do, such as, building with the blocks or making a tent using the large piece of fine net from the treasure bag. All children have an individual learning journey to show their progress, with observations of activities linked to the areas of learning and the next steps to promote further development. Photographs taken by the childminder depict children enjoying a wide range of activities and are included in the children's folders. The childminder adapts activities and replaces resources to accommodate individual children's needs.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoor play is organised daily, either in the paved area at the rear of the house This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or in the local environment, to enhance children's experiences and promote a healthy lifestyle. Children develop their understanding of the local community and benefit from walking in the fresh air when they go on visits to the park, library and toddler group. The childminder uses these outings as an opportunity for children to learn about the world around them. Children enjoy collecting the leaves and twigs from the park and then use them to create pictures, some of which are kept in their learning journeys. Children celebrate assorted festivals, including Chinese New Year and Halloween, and read stories about different children and everyday activities. For example, a children's book about cleaning teeth is used to reinforce the benefits of an activity that children may participate in daily.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking at books either by themselves or as a group activity. They actively participate in recognising the different animals in the jungle story and demonstrate the noises made by those animals. Children have good opportunities to develop physical skills through using a range of tools, such as jigsaws and construction toys. Children are able to explore larger play apparatus when they visit local parks and toddler groups. The childminder ensures that all children are included in the activities and provides individuals with appropriate support to enable their enjoyment. The childminder is a good role model for the children's behaviour as she shows them courtesy and respect. Praise is given for children's efforts and, in response to this, children generally behave well. 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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