Cheney, Deborah Kathleen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363005 Inspection date 04/05/2011 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 12 years old in the town of Finedon in Northamptonshire. She is within a short walk of all local amenities. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding with access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, four cats and a rabbit as pets. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group and childminder support group and takes children to a local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children at any one time including three in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding three children, two of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Quality First scheme. She holds a level two qualification in childcare and is working towards a level three.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a stimulating, safe environment where children's welfare and learning needs are extremely well met. She enjoys supporting children's learning and development while ensuring their welfare needs are fully met. All aspects of the provision are outstanding and the childminder's capacity to maintain these high standards is excellent. She is constantly striving to develop and improve her practice through personal training and by participating in a quality assurance scheme.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 exploring more ways to enable parents to contribute to their child's ongoing assessment by sharing what they know about their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing the best possible service for children and their families. All aspects of safeguarding are well thought out and, as a result, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very successful in keeping children safe. She has thorough child-protection procedures which are immediately updated when local safeguarding children board guidance changes. The identification of any visitors and other adults collecting children on behalf of parents is checked and she ensures that parents are familiar with her complaints policy and procedure at the beginning of the partnership.

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the early years provision

All areas of the childminder's home which are used by children are routinely risk assessed and updated when anything changes. Daily visual checks of the premises and equipment ensure children's safety wherever they are playing. Any outings that the childminder takes the children on are thoroughly assessed for potential hazards beforehand and steps are taken to minimise any potential risk to the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder helps children to learn about how to keep themselves safe by being a very good role model and by pointing out potential hazards so that children learn to make decisions about the kinds of risk they may or may not take. For example, the childminder holds on to the banister when using the stairs so that children not only follow her instruction but copy her good practice. Equality and diversity is exceptionally well promoted. The childminder has high aspirations for quality and a strong commitment to equality for all. The methods used to support children's learning and wellbeing consistently improve outcomes for children in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness of the childminder's engagement with parents and carers is outstanding. Relationships are very positive and supportive ensuring that she is kept fully informed of children's changing needs. Parents are kept well informed of their child's achievements, wellbeing and development through daily chats, wall displays and by them looking regularly at the photographs, observations and other evidence in their child's folder showing their progress.

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the early years provision

Systems to liaise with and share information and support with other agencies and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are well established. The childminder's premises are well suited for purpose. She makes the best use of available space both inside and outdoors to enable her to provide a stimulating learning environment in which the children settle and make excellent progress. The childminder is constantly searching for new ideas and initiatives to further enhance the provision. Resources are of high quality, plentiful and imaginatively used to support children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun while learning and developing new skills. They are content in their surroundings and keen to take part in the activities on offer and to initiate their own play. Even the youngest children make choices about the resources they use to develop their own play from the varied range that are easily accessible to them. This encourages children to develop their independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children's play is assessed daily and provision is made to incorporate any resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or toys necessary to enable children to follow their interests. A comprehensive record is kept of each child's achievements which clearly show how they are developing and making progress towards all aspects of the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the importance of maintaining their good health through routines for instance, by washing their hands before snack, after petting the animals and using the toilet. Procedures to care for the children if they become unwell or have an accident are excellent. Children learn about healthy eating as they try different fruits that they choose themselves either at the shop or from the garden, depending on the time of year. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe from an early age. The childminder guides them to the best places to use to pull themselves on to their feet and supports them when they are unsteady. Children learn how to use tools and equipment properly when rolling and making shapes with the dough. Outdoor play is eagerly anticipated as children put on their outdoor shoes and coats.

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and outcomes for children

Children are so absorbed in their play that they rarely test the childminder's boundaries and five golden rules but when they do they quickly respond to the childminder's excellent child-management skills. The childminder knows the children very well and is able to anticipate their reactions to certain situations and take effective action without the children being aware. Children clearly enjoy the childminder's attention, showing by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel safe in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children play a full and active role in their learning. They show curiosity and a desire to explore and learn. They benefit greatly from the varied outdoor provision which enables them to learn about nature and develop their physical skills. Children develop skills for the future as they form friendships with other minded children who they meet. They learn about the enjoyment they can gain from books as they listen to stories and they reinforce their understanding of number, shapes and problem-solving during their imaginative play. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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