Rivett, Tracey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY100634 Inspection date 24/05/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 13 and 10 years in the east Northamptonshire village of Ringstead. Childminding takes place mostly in the ground floor rooms and there is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family keeps a dog and a rabbit as pets.

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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 five children under eight years, including three in the early years age group. She currently minds seven children, four of whom are in the early years age group. All are part- time arrangements.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes children to and collects them from schools in the nearby town of Thrapston.

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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's welfare is successfully promoted and they make good progress in their play and learning. Thorough safeguarding systems are in place and partnerships with parents and others are generally effective. The childminder makes sure she has all necessary information from parents about each child's individual needs and works hard to meet them well. Ongoing reflective practice ensures that day-to-day practice issues are acknowledged and developed, although a full self-evaluation has not been finished.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will further support the quality of provision for all children  review partnership systems to further encourage and enable parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to share what they know about children's learning and development needs to further support their progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe. She has a good knowledge and understanding of potential concerns and of how to respond by following the current guidance from her local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Safeguarding Children Board. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and reviewed annually and updated when anything changes.

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the early years provision

Risk assessments are conducted on the childminder's home and garden and on outing venues, and are added to or updated as required. Daily checks are carried out to reduce any risk or potential hazard to children. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe without impeding their developing independence, for instance, by ensuring children wear slippers indoors so they do not slip on the wooden floors. She teaches children how to use tools and equipment properly and how to look for safe crossing places when they are out and about in the village.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality well. Children learn to respect each other's similarities and differences through discussion, and activities are adapted so that all children can participate if they wish to. Behaviour management is consistent and effective and has a positive effect on children's learning. House rules are shared with parents and they work together to deal with any ongoing issues.

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the early years provision

The childminder's engagement with parents and carers is good. She has developed very supportive relationships with parents and they keep her informed of any changes to their child's routine. However, their contribution to their child's ongoing assessment is variable. The arrangements for developing and maintaining links with other agencies supporting minded children are excellent, ensuring children feel safe and understood. Systems for liaising with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to share information to support children's progress towards the early learning goals are established and working well in most cases.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment where children can develop at their own pace. Resources are suitable and safe and are added to regularly to support children's developing interests.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes effective steps to promote children's health and encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. She has clear procedures for caring for children who become unwell and to prevent the spread of infection. She is fully aware of children's dietary needs and provides nutritious meals and snacks. She provides children with regular drinks of water to ensure they remain hydrated, particularly in warmer weather.

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the early years provision

The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good. She has completed previous actions and recommendations and although she has not finished a full self-evaluation, her ongoing reflective practice makes sure that areas for development are identified and addressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled, content and keen to take part in activities. The choice of activities available reflect their interests and individual learning needs, enabling This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to progress well. The childminder makes observations of children as they play and uses the information to decide what activities and resources to provide that they will enjoy and benefit from.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about their personal safety and adopting a healthy lifestyle through the repetition of routines, such as knowing their hands must be clean before eating and that they must wear their slippers when playing indoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the attention of the childminder and show by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel safe in her care. They show by their actions that they are beginning to understand the childminder's rules and they behave well because the childminder has a consistent and effective approach to managing behaviour, taking account of children's level of understanding and maturity.

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and outcomes for children

Children look forward to the regular opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy going to feed the ducks on the river bank and playing on the equipment and toys in the childminder's garden which help to develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children smile and jig about to tunes and like experimenting with the musical instruments. Younger children add bricks to the tower that the childminder builds for them and laugh when they knock it over. They like playing with the trains and the play people and putting the dollies in the buggy and taking them for a walk. Older children join in games which support their problem solving and numeracy skills and reinforce sharing and turn taking.

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and outcomes for children

The varied range of activities and games provided for the children enable them to develop and improve skills which will support their future social and economic well- being. 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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