Davina Florence Monaghan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417372 Inspection date 05/05/2011 Inspector Jackie Phillips

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her two children aged three and seven years in the Pontefract area of West Yorkshire. The entire ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for children to access outdoor play. Children are taken for walks and on outings to places of interest within the local community. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range, including one child under one year. Currently there are six children on roll, of whom three are within the early years age range.

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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

The majority of systems and routines are well established to support children's learning and help them understand the world in which they live. Effective arrangements exist to promote their health and safety. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. Secure relationships with parents and partners are in place, offering children consistency in their care and learning. The childminder has a strong commitment and drive to bring about sustainable improvements to her provision and has high aspirations for the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for children to explore the festivals and celebrations of other cultures  improve planning, observation and assessment systems to identify next steps and plan more effectively to meet children's individual learning needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly understands the required action to take if concerns are raised about children's welfare or well-being. She is very aware of her responsibility to protect children from harm. She regularly assesses potential risks indoors and outside the setting to keep children safe. The childminder has attended appropriate training to support her already good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. She provides a warm and welcoming family environment and develops trusting relationships with children, helping them feel safe and secure. She has a good range of policies and procedures pertinent to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 efficient operation and management of the setting. These are shared successfully with parents.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from a varied range of toys, equipment and resources which successfully support their learning and development. They independently access the outdoor learning environment directly from the kitchen. The two garden areas are well organised and provide children with many opportunities to experiment, investigate and be active. For example, they enjoy playing with a playhouse, swing, scooters, bikes and tools they use in the sand. There is an area painted with white lines for children to use as a road. It includes a mini roundabout, a zebra crossing and parking bays for cars. Children enjoy using the range of mobile toys on the pretend road. They are able to develop an understanding of road safety as they halt at the zebra crossing and are reminded by adults to stop, look and listen before crossing on foot.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans a varied range of activities and learning opportunities for children, generally based around a theme or a topic. Children benefit from experiences that are provided in the setting or those that take place at local groups and activity clubs or through planned trips and outings. The childminder carries out frequent observations of children engaged in a range of activities and makes a written assessment of their progress. Her records are well supplemented by photographs, which provide a meaningful account to share with parents. However, records do not always clearly show how the childminder will provide for the next steps in individual children's learning. There are secure relationships with parents based on effective information sharing and a strong commitment to meet children's individual needs. The childminder is aware of the benefits of partnership working and knows this leads to improvements in children's achievements, well-

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the early years provision

The childminder is creative at finding ways in which she can develop the service she provides. For example, through self-reflective practice, attending training and sourcing the opinions of parents, professionals and children. Many parents and an older child contributed to the inspection process by providing their written comments expressing high levels of satisfaction with the service they receive. The childminder has clear plans for the future that will bring about further improvements to the provision and outcomes for children. For example, improving the daily menu to include hot meals and further developing the outdoor area to create a water feature based on children's design and ideas. The childminder has a strong determination and drive to provide and maintain a high quality provision through critical analysis and frequent monitoring.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported to take an active part in their learning. For example, they transfer between the indoor and outside environment as they wish and make independent choices from the resources available. They regularly practise the setting's evacuation procedure. They use the pretend roadway outside in the garden to help them understand road safety when out and about within the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 community. Hard hats and high visibility jackets are donated from workmen at the building site close by. Children enjoy wearing them and this effectively contributes to their developing awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

The well-organised setting provides children with many opportunities to socialise and develop relationships with other children and adults. They benefit from additional toys and resources they use at other settings or those that are borrowed from the toy library. They are actively encouraged to be independent and make informed choices and decisions. For example, many resources are stored at low level in boxes which are clearly labelled to help children identify the contents. They choose books from the well-stocked bookshelf and use the blackboard securely fastened to the garden fence to make marks, including letters and numbers. Many opportunities exist for children to develop their imaginations. For example, through creative and role play. They develop their awareness of the society in which they live and celebrate some festivals associated with different cultures as they play with appropriate resources. Equipment is made available that requires action by

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and outcomes for children

the child to make it work. For example, interactive toys and resources. In this way they develop early skills they will need to help them understand and use everyday information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

Because children are busy and very well occupied their behaviour is exemplary. They share, take turns and cooperate with their peers. Secure routines are established for children to learn effective personal hygiene routines. For example, they wash their hands frequently and understand the need to 'get rid of germs'. Drinks are readily available and the childminder finds creative ways to help children enjoy a well-balanced and healthy diet. For example, providing activities where children can experience preparing their own food, such as baked potatoes that resemble 'mice in jackets'. Children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the setting they are in. They are very well equipped with skills they will need in order to secure future learning. 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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