Negus Tracy Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264802 Inspection date 14/07/2011 Inspector Alison reeves

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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 two children aged 12 and 15 years, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives or walks to a local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She takes children to the park, nature reserves, library, indoor soft play areas and educational facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for five children under eight years. Of these, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four early years age range children on a part-time basis. The childminder 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 in the Early Years Foundation Stage are making good progress in their learning and development with this childminder. Their safety and welfare is given priority and all appropriate measures are in place to ensure this. Children are valued and the childminder works hard to cater for individual needs. Their achievements are very well monitored and assessment is underway. Partnerships with parents are highly effective and those with other providers are developing. Systems to evaluate and reflect on practice are successful in securing continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observation, assessment and planning systems to include children's next steps  develop further partnership working with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively and well protected in the setting because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role with regard to child protection. Her knowledge of local safeguarding procedures ensures that she has strategies in place to manage any concerns she may have about children in her care. This means that children's well-being is given priority and they feel very secure.

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the early years provision

Up-to-date risk assessments mean that all reasonable steps are taken by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder to ensure the rooms used by children are completely safe. Planned, regular reviews ensure any changes and new actions required are identified. Consequently, children are able to move safely and freely around the home. They love to draw attention to their walking indoors.

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the early years provision

The childminder's clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is used well to enhance children's play and learning. She keeps up-to-date with mandatory training and reads professional journals so is well informed about current practice. The welcoming environment indoors and outside is organised effectively to provide a range of stimulating experiences. For example, the music materials with cd, picture cards and instruments, together make for an inclusive and fun learning experience. This means that children are making good progress in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has identified her strengths and areas for improvement. She has addressed previous recommendations and is becoming increasingly confident in her delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a consequence, she sets herself realistic targets that secure improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established highly-effective working relationships with parents that actively contribute to children's very positive experiences. She obtains detailed information about each child, including their dietary and health needs. This means that parent's wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. Important information about children's progress is shared consistently and the childminder is exceedingly good at including this in children's progress records. There have been limited opportunities to work with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers. Nevertheless, the childminder has a clear understanding of how these relationships can be developed to afford effective communication and continuity of care for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder supports children with activities, offering good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. She spends lots of time with them, helping them to access activities and to develop their creativity and thinking skills. She skilfully adapts activities to ensure that all children can participate at their own appropriate level. An effective equal opportunities policy is fully implemented to ensure inclusion and a respect for others. This means the individual needs of all children are met and each one is included in all aspects of the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident and settle well, demonstrating their enormous sense of security. They show a strong attachment to the childminder and happily invite her to share their play. Children are very aware of how they move indoors. They learn to keep themselves safe as they develop their understanding of the potential hazards in the environment. Children show their dexterity as they use the knife to spread the tomato paste onto their pizza base. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are becoming increasingly independent in managing their self-care well. They are fully included in care routines, washing their own hands before eating and wiping their faces after meals. They are active in the garden throughout the year. They make excellent use of other outdoor areas, with visits to parks and open spaces where they can experience challenging equipment and investigate the

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and outcomes for children

natural environment. Children eat healthy, nutritional, well-balanced meals and snacks. They are learning about where their food comes through planting and growing their own vegetables in the garden. The potato crop has been successful.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. They are enthusiastic and show good levels of concentration. They become engrossed in activities and eagerly tidy away resources in preparation for one of their favourite activities, music. During the singing and music play, the children choose the song card and use it to identify a song. They are very confident in identifying many of the songs. When unsure, they show the card to the others present and work together to name the songs and decide on whether to use instruments or join in with actions. Children are effective communicators and use language well to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings. They like books and enjoy familiar stories, actively participating in telling stories and describing what they can see in the pictures. Children love to express their creativity through the many cooking activities which also support them in learning about making healthy choices. They

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and outcomes for children

are good problem-solvers and use mathematical terms in speech and play as they talk about the size and shape of the pieces of vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes children. She has some really good records of children's learning and development. She uses a chatty style to describe children and includes lots of photographs as further evidence. The observations are used to make assessments of children's achievements and this leads into planning further activities. However, next steps are not always included.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder gives clear explanations, sets appropriate boundaries and is skilled in ensuring inclusion for every child. Children are developing respect for themselves and others. This is shown through their cooperation and interaction with other children. They are active members of local community groups. Children are learning about the wider world and the childminder makes effective use of books and activities to introduce new ideas and to promote diversity. 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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