Sheridan, Julie

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420736 Inspection date 04/08/2011 Inspector Dianne Sadler

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 and lives with her partner in Sandiacre, Nottingham. The whole of the premises is used for childminding, except the second bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a dog.

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. There are currently five children attending, three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in this sufficiently safe setting. The childminder is beginning to observe some children's achievements and uses the information to plan appropriate activities to help them make satisfactory progress. The childminder is developing positive relationships with parents and obtains information about their needs and routines. The childminder has completed a self- evaluation of her practice and demonstrates a commitment to improving and developing her service. However, she is not fully aware of some of the detail of the Early Years Foundation Stage which results in two welfare requirements not being met.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 ensure a record of the risk assessment is maintained detailing when the aspects of the environment have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 19/08/2011

p.4

further?

 ensure all reasonable steps are taken to ensure hazards to children outdoors are kept to a minimum, with particular reference to the trampoline (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 19/08/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve further the use of observations to assess all children's learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 towards all the early learning goals  improve further the experiences planned for younger children to explore different media and materials  develop further the systems for self-evaluation to identify strengths and prioritise development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded sufficiently well. The childminder has a sound understanding of the actions to take to protect children from the risk of abuse or neglect. She has implemented a clearly written policy which she shares with parents. Children are cared for in a mostly safe and secure environment. A detailed risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and the equipment both indoors and outdoors. However, the record of the risk assessment does not detail when it was last carried out. In addition, the childminder has not identified or minimised the dangers of young children using a trampoline which is not suitable for their age. This is a breach of requirements and compromises children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

Resources are organised appropriately. They are stored in a toy room which is freely available to enable children to access them independently. Children are encouraged to share resources and are developing an understanding of each others needs. Some resources help to reflect our diverse world, such as books and ethnic dolls. The childminder exchanges information verbally with parents on a daily basis. They are given the written policies when they start to keep them informed and are encouraged to share details about their children's likes and different care needs. The childminder understands the benefits children gain from partnership working if they also attend other early years provisions. She is developing a working relationship with the local pre-school and shares information with regards to children's routines and care needs.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her service. However, the system for monitoring and evaluating the setting is in the early stages and she has not identified all areas for future improvement, which compromises some outcomes for children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are content in the childminder's care. They are learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle and keep themselves safe. All children benefit from accessing an interesting garden where they can ride wheeled toys and play on large equipment. They also enjoy visits out into the community. For example, they enjoy safely taking part in activities, such as pond dipping in the park. They learn about the wider world at this time as they are supported by an instructor to catch an insect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 known as the 'Boatman'. In addition, they are able to select items in the greenhouse to eat for their lunch which include cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes. They also benefit from a visit to the museum where they explore animals, such as snails, a snake and a frog. The childminder is beginning to make observations of the learning for children under the age of one year. She records the information in

p.5

and outcomes for children

their scrapbook using photos and text. She links this information to some of the areas of learning and plans experiences to help them make further progress. For example, when she observes younger children crawling around the environment, she plans to promote their play in areas where they can safely pull themselves to stand. However, she is not systematically observing and assessing all children's progress within all the areas of learning. This may compromise the progress children make towards some of the early learning goals.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn skills they need for their future success. They are learning to play together and socialise and the childminder encourages them to take turns and share. Babies are able to develop coordination and movement as they crawl around the environment. The childminder supports them to bear weight on their legs as they bounce up and down on the floor. They also enjoy exploring musical instruments made available to them in a box which includes a drum, rain maker and triangle. Older children are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different media and materials through collage and painting activities. They develop their manipulative skills as they use tools, such as, paint brushes, stamps and rollers. Older children use their imagination at this time to paint pictures of their favourite things, such as a wall. They enjoy mixing different colours together and learn that black and white makes grey. However, opportunities for younger

p.6

and outcomes for children

children to experiment with media, such as, paint, dough and gloop are very limited. All children select play resources according to their individual interests. Older children particularly enjoy puzzles and successfully complete a giant floor puzzle of 42 pieces. They enjoy lots of praise and show pride in their achievement as the childminder takes a photograph. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 19/08/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 19/08/2011

p.8