Perry, Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420941 Inspection date 19/07/2011 Inspector Susan Marriott

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 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 15 and four years in the town of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The childminder's home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground of the childminder's home is used for childminding, including toilet and sleeping facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet rabbit.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age range on a part-time basis during term time only. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into this friendly, child-centred family home where the childminder promotes most aspects of children's care and education in a suitably inclusive manner. Each child is valued as a unique individual and children make good progress in their learning and development. Observation and assessment systems are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage but these do not yet fully secure children's progress. The childminder builds strong relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She has not yet begun to use self- evaluation as a process for identifying areas for development in her provision to support continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 expand the use of information gathered about children s learning to enhance their good progress towards the Early learning goals  improve the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self- evaluation to identify areas for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children experience a good quality of care and education in this childminding setting. The childminder offers a secure, warm and safe environment and parents confirm that she is totally reliable and an excellent communicator. She has developed clearly written policies and procedures and all required written records, to underpin the safe and effective management of the service. Children's welfare is promoted well because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. This is supported by training and a written procedure which enables her to identify any child at risk of harm and take appropriate action. All relevant household members are appropriately checked and deemed suitable to be in contact with children. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place and effective action is taken to manage or eliminate risks for children.

p.5

the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and achieve well because the childminder makes good use of resources. Her home is welcoming and resources are well-organised and accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder supplements play with planned activities and visits to places such as Stockwood Country Park, outside the home. The childminder's good understanding of anti-discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She ensures that she understands and responds to, each child's individual needs, background, cultures and beliefs. She uses this knowledge when she encourages children to celebrate the differences which make us all unique, offering them information about other ways of life and encouraging them to respect diversity.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents and carers. The childminder keeps parents well-informed of their children's activities and progress through regular discussions and consultation. The childminder is aware of the requirement to develop partnership working with other agencies. She liaises successfully with other partners when appropriate to support the welfare of children in her care. The childminder uses her life experience to ensure that children who have additional development needs are identified and are offered appropriate activities and learning opportunities. She demonstrates enthusiasm for her work and is well- motivated to continue to make changes that improve the outcomes for children. The childminder constantly seeks the views of parents and children and reflects upon her own practice but has not yet begun to use self-evaluation as an effective tool to sustain continuous improvement.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are well-supported in their learning and all six areas of learning are covered in the daily programme. The childminder explains that she has collected some of the best photographs of the children's first months with her. These This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 delightful photographs show the children engaged in a wide variety of stimulating activities. For example, they show the children playing outdoors at the park and in the garden, riding bikes, splashing in puddles, playing in water, dressed up as a cook with hat and apron. Photographs include trips to Stockwood Country Park, watering plants, playing with toys, bouncing on the trampoline, dressing up and garden play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe, happy and enjoy being in the childminder's home. This is evident by the way in which children readily accept the visiting inspector on arrival and quickly continue with their play. For example, children sit at the kitchen table, snipping around the edge of a sheet of wrapping paper in order to wrap a present for their mummy at the end of term. Children proudly show off their hand and foot print art work to the visiting inspector and happily point out their special photographs, placed in a pocketed wall hanger, another gift for mummy.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children announce that they want to play outside in the garden and the childminder moves with them to supervise. It begins to rain and she comments that the children might see a rainbow. As the rain becomes heavier, the children suggest sheltering under the parasol and they marvel at the rain splashing through the canvas. The childminder is an experienced mother and has a good knowledge of child development. She capably guides the learning from child-led interests and play, sustaining highly competent levels of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning. Children are creative and learn in active ways because the childminder provides daily experiences that build on their interests and capabilities. She finds this information from continuous communication with parents, her own observations and talking to the children.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Planning is informal and intuitive because the childminder passionately believes in retaining the flexibility to respond to child-led play according to the children's interests. Observational learning folders ensure that children's individual development is promoted well. Photographs and written descriptions of children's achievements record their good progress and identify the next steps in learning. However, the observations are not linked to the age appropriate criteria in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Without detailed scrutiny, it is difficult to track and fully secure children's progress.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles and the relevance of hygiene practices. Ongoing discussions mean that young children understand the importance of daily practices such as washing their hands before snacks and meals. Children have plentiful opportunities to develop their physical skills because the weekly routine includes daily opportunities to play in the local parks and the garden. The childminder walks to and from local facilities and this ensures that children get outside in the fresh air and have daily exercise to develop their general fitness. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and clear procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. Children enjoy an extended range of play activities and develop their social skills with other children as they visit appropriate toddler groups with their childminder. Children's behaviour is good because they

p.6

and outcomes for children

enjoy each others company and the childminder promotes tolerance and models effective interaction to ensure they understand how to play well and respect each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other. Effective strategies ensure children's social, physical and economic well- being is met. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9