Merrill-Dillon, Abigail Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY262947 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 partner and two children aged seven and two years in the residential area of Wincobank in Sheffield. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has established links with the local school and has partnership arrangements in place with other early years settings. She collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. The childminder is keen to ensure all children are included in her setting. The stimulating environment gives all children the chance to make good progress in their learning and development. Systems for monitoring children's achievements are being developed. The childminder links with other childminders and an early years professional from the local authority to ensure continuous improvement is effectively maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for monitoring children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder's current safeguarding knowledge of signs and symptoms is good. Consequently, children are well protected. Children's safety is enhanced with regular risk assessments of the premises and for any outings undertaken. They benefit from the childminder being a trained nursery nurse who has experience of working in a nursery setting, as well as having her own children. The resources are well-organised and effectively managed, which encourages children's independence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Information is shared regularly with parents through discussions at arrival and collection times. They also have access to their children's development records, thus ensuring continuity of care. The childminder has good systems in place for liasing with other practitioners where children receive care and education in more than one setting. This enables her to complement and extend the experiences

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the early years provision

children enjoy. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the advantages of liasing with other professionals to meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates the service she provides in a variety of ways. These include completing a self-evaluation form and gaining feedback from parents and children. Therefore she is able to tailor the service she offers to the individual needs of those attending. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been positively addressed. This has a favourable impact on keeping children safe.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it effectively. Each of the areas of learning is well resourced. Children are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions. They are happy and secure as a result of the childminder's praise and support. Her confident approach to equality and diversity actively contributes to children's positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a selection of resources. Free play is incorporated into each day, where child-initiated play is encouraged and supported by the childminder. The way she listens to children encourages them to be good communicators. They gain confidence when using numbers and identifying shapes as they thread the circular, square and triangular buttons. Children develop their skills for the future as they access interactive resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively evaluates activities to inform future planning. Developmental files include observations, which clearly show each of the areas of learning is being covered. However, it is not easy to see progress towards the early learning goals. This has a slightly negative impact on the childminder monitoring children's achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children experience good levels of supervision and appropriate safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. Their knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip, road safety activities and regular fire drill practices. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. Children enjoy physical play and have a variety of outdoor toys and resources to use in the rear garden. The childminder manages a good balance of meeting parental wishes, and encouraging healthy food options such as fresh fruit. She complements this by giving children the chance to plant and nurture tomatoes and cress, thus raising children's awareness of where foods come from and encouraging good lifestyle habits. Children are beginning to understand simple This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

health and hygiene practices, including washing their hands after using the toilet. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. 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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