Ruddock, Lynda

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 320085 Inspection date 15/06/2011 Inspector Abigail Cunningham

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children aged ten and 13 in Halton, Leeds. Most of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two pet dogs.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to 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. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. The childminder holds a Cashe Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The welfare of the children is promoted exceptionally well and is significantly enhanced by the childminder's high quality interactions and exemplary working practices. The childminder takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships with parents and other childcare providers. Proactive systems are in place, which lead to continued improvement. The children's learning and development is impressive as all the children are achieving as much as they can, and the provision for developing their physical and social skills is excellent.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 encouraging parents to be highly involved in the self-evaluation process.

p.4

the early years provision

Positive steps are taken to safeguard children. The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding issues. For instance, she has attended training and reads any relevant articles in order to keep up-to-date with safeguarding issues. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm, recording concerns, seeking advice and making a referral.

p.4

the early years provision

Actions taken by the childminder are well chosen and carefully planned in order to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote outcomes for children. For example, she has applied to attend 'Every Child a Talker' and 'den making' training events. The childminder is very successful in making and sustaining improvements. For example, she has improved planning and assessment processes and has established excellent links with other childcare providers. Parents' views are sought; however, there is scope to encourage parents to be more involved in the self-evaluation process.

p.4

the early years provision

Parents are extremely well informed about all aspects of their children's achievement, well-being and development. For instance, parents receive daily verbal feedback from the childminder and the children's development records are regularly sent home. Also, most of the parents either add photographs, comments or observations to these records. In addition, the childminder and parents agree about precise ways that they can both support the children. This highly inclusive system of communication ensures that there are consistent and productive partnerships with parents. As a result, children make positive progress across all areas of learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The children develop a very positive attitude to others and an excellent understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children learn about interesting events, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. To celebrate Diwali, the children made diva lights. The children also play with a broad selection of resources which reflect positive images, such as dolls, books and saris. The children have many opportunities to socialise with other children, such as at the local children's centre and toddler group.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced in caring for children who have additional needs and is experienced in working alongside other professionals, such as speech therapists. There are well-established channels of communications between all partners involved with individual children, which successfully promotes their learning, development and welfare. For example, where children attend other settings, the childminder reads their newsletters, shares the children's development records and attends organised events.

p.5

the early years provision

Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development, such as the feelings dolls and story sacks. The childminder also rotates resources in order to children interested and motivated to learn. The environment is managed very well and carefully looked after, for example, it is maintained and decorated to a high standard. The provider is taking well-considered steps to ensure resources and the environment are sustainable. The childminder uses recycled materials during art and craft activities.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The environment in which children are cared for and educated is safe and supportive. Risk assessments for the home and outings are regularly undertaken and reviewed. All potential hazards have been identified and minimised, for example, cleaning substances are inaccessible to the children as they are stored in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a locked cupboard. Children are taught to be safety conscious without being fearful. While on outings the childminder shows and explains to the children how to keep safe near water, roads and train tracks. The childminder also uses books to help the children understand about different dangers, such as being lost.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Young children enjoy their food very much and are positive about the cooking for a purpose. For example, while making homemade pizzas for lunch, one child commented, 'I like tomato, I like cheese and I need some more cheese'. Children of all ages love playing outside. They have great fun playing in the water tray and sand pit. Young children enjoy the challenge of using the swings and slide. They also show a very positive approach to exercise and very much enjoy walking to and from nursery and attending music and movement sessions.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a thorough understanding of how children develop and learn. She has attended Early Years Foundation Stage training and completed a level 3 childminding qualification, which is clearly reflected in the planning and assessment records. The childminder plans an excellent and interesting range of activities for the children which are based on interesting themes and the children's individual interests, such as such as pond life and shapes. Assessment and monitoring through high quality observations is rigorous and the information gained is used very effectively to identify the next steps in learning and to guide planning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children are making rapid progress in their learning. This is because the childminder is skilled at listening to children. As a result, the children are extremely confident and competent in communicating their thoughts and making choices. They very much enjoy singing and their favourite books. Young children count from one to 12 and they can recognise and name colours and shapes. For example, one child knew that the pizza base is a circle.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children are also developing an excellent knowledge of the natural and wider world. They observe and notice the local wildlife, such as a heron and wood pigeon. They also go out on nature walks, have visited a farm and a museum and have travelled on a train. They also enjoy walking the childminder's dogs and occasionally helping the childminder to care for her horse and ponies. Young children are interested in technology; they can operate a mouse to interact with age-appropriate computer programmes and enjoy playing with various interactive toys and the shop till.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is an excellent role model, for instance, she is very positive person and enjoys her job. As a result, the children's behaviour is exemplary as young children are building strong friendships, enjoy interacting with others and show high levels of initiative. For instance, a child drops a toy and another child picks it up and gives it back to the other child, who says 'thanks'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8