Watson, Sarah Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422246 Inspection date 03/08/2011 Inspector Debbie Newbury

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and one child aged 16 months in Yateley in Hampshire, close to local schools, parks and other community amenities. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the home with bathroom facilities provided in this area. An upstairs bedroom is used for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of which not more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children in the early years age group on roll who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder undertakes school and nursery runs as necessary and regularly takes children to local toddler groups, sure-start children's centres, parks and soft play centres.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and at ease in a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is treated with equal care and concern. Overall, they have their welfare and learning and development needs met appropriately. However, systems for monitoring children's progress and helping them learn about diversity are not fully developed. The childminder has only been caring for children for a short time and her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to meet children's individual welfare, learning and development needs is evolving. She is beginning to reflect on the service she offers to identify areas for further development. The childminder is establishing positive relationships with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote positive attitudes to diversity through the provision of relevant resources and activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these  track children's progress towards the early learning goals to ensure any gaps in provision or delays in development are identified and acted upon. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded, as the childminder demonstrates understanding of the responsibility placed upon her to promote children's welfare and ensure they stay safe. Use of risk assessment and relevant safety features contribute to this. The childminder is aware of issues relating to child protection and has access to relevant information to guide her in the action she must take if she has any concerns about a child in her care. She organises those areas of the home used for childminding so that children can sit and play in comfort and move around freely. A reasonable range of play materials are arranged to aid children's independent selection. This encourages them to make their own decisions about what they do. The childminder maintains all required documentation appropriately. She has a comprehensive range of written policies, which underpin her practice and support children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has completed the required registration course. She has started to reflect upon her current service and is motivated to seek ways to improve further. For example, she has begun a process of self-evaluation to identify what she is doing well and some general areas for development. She also seeks the support of other childminders and a childminding advisor. This has led to the identification of the need to build further on links with staff from other early years settings that children may attend.

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the early years provision

Children have opportunities to participate in activities that relate to some well- known traditions, such as making things for Mother's Day and Father's Day. However, the childminder has not considered how she can promote positive attitudes to diversity through the provision of relevant resources and activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these. Within the range of play materials provided, children do not have access to many items that reflect a diversity of gender, disability, culture and ethnicity.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers relevant information from parents to ensure she is aware of children's routines, likes, dislikes and interests. This helps her to understand their individual needs. Informal daily discussions are supplemented by a diary which provides an overview of the children's day. Parents have seen the assessments the childminder has started to keep on their children's achievements. Parents are pleased with the care provided, as evidenced in their response to recently issued questionnaires. They comment that 'communication is great' and that their children 'speak highly' of the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a relaxed day with opportunities to explore the different play materials provided. They take part in activities inside and outside the home, such as going to local parks and various toddler groups. This enables them to develop their social skills as they mix with other children and learn about the community in which they live. Children enjoy being outside in the garden and playing with the sand. The childminder makes suggestions for alternative activities they might like to do, such as playing skittles and she sits alongside young children to help them put the train tack together. Older children enjoy making a crumble using the blackberries they have collected. They understand the need to wash their hands before they start and watch as the childminder weighs out the ingredients for them. Children are invited to rub the flour and butter together and to spoon the topping over the mixture of apples and blackberries that the childminder places in

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and outcomes for children

a baking dish. This shared activity is quite nicely presented, resulting in one child announcing 'I love helping you make things' although the childminder did not make the most of the opportunities that existed to extend children's learning. The childminder's use of observational assessment and planning is at an early stage of implementation. Systems are not yet sufficiently well developed though to help her track children's progress towards the early learning goals and ensure any gaps in provision or delays in children's development are identified and acted upon.

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and outcomes for children

Relationships between children and childminder are warm and friendly and children are settled and at ease. They approach her readily and display confidence in their surroundings as they move freely between indoors and the garden at will. The childminder adopts a consistent approach to behaviour management as she calmly explains the need to take turns and share toys. This helps children begin to appreciate the needs of others. Children receive lots of positive praise, which fosters their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping safe with the support of the childminder as she intervenes to guide them away from potentially unsafe actions. She talks to children about road safety and provides opportunities for them to regularly participate in evacuation drills. This develops their understanding of what they need to do if it is necessary to vacate the premises in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's good health well. Garden play, visiting different parks and frequently walking to and from preschool are normal features of the day. This ensures children benefit from lots of fresh air and physical activity. Children's meals are supplied by parents; these are stored in the fridge as necessary, the temperature of which is monitored on an ongoing basis. The childminder follows good hygiene routines with children to help reduce the risk of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Generally, the resources, activities and opportunities provided for the children help them to secure the skills they need to develop in the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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