Palmer, Nicola Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425379 Inspection date 05/09/2011 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 husband and three children aged nine, seven and five years in a terraced cottage in the village of Winterbourne Gunner, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. All of the home may be used for childminding there is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to four children under the age of eight, of these three may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a pet rabbit. 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 are happy and settled within the childminders welcoming and secure family home. Activities are generally well planned to support children's ongoing learning and development, effectively. The childminder links closely with parents to ensure she has a good understanding of each child's individual needs and adapts daily routines and events to ensure all children feel valued and included. She is proactive in increasing her own skills and knowledge through training. She has put in place some systems, which allow her to evaluate her own practice. This ensures she continues to make improvements in the provision she offers to children.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on the systems currently in place to monitor and plan children's progress and reflect on the use of the outdoor areas to enhance children learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is supported well. The childminder has a confident awareness of safeguarding procedures using up-to-date documentation to ensure she is following current good practice. Children remain well supervised at all times and positive steps are taken to ensure safety is maintained when in the home and on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings. Risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly to ensure current precautions continue to be effective. Records are used well to support children's ongoing safety and welfare and are stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Children's health is supported well. The childminder follows good practices to reduce the risk of cross infection and ensures children are provided with healthy snacks and plenty of drinks throughout the day. The children use the garden and go on outings to local parks and the river, benefiting from being out in

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the early years provision

the fresh air and engaging in physical exercise.

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the early years provision

Areas within the childminder's home are used well to support children's enjoyment and development. Toys and resources are easily accessible allowing children easy independent access. Named coat pegs in the lobby area allow children to hang their own bags, giving them a real sense of belonging. Although the garden is used regularly to promote children's physical play opportunities, use of this area is not always fully considered to ensure that this supports other aspects of children's development. The childminder understands children's preferences and interests and uses this knowledge as she plans activities, routines and events to ensure children are interested, motivated and feels fully included. The childminder is keen to improve all areas of her practice. She maintains regular contact with other childcare professionals and uses ideas gained through feedback and training to make positive changes to better support children's care, learning and play.

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the early years provision

Good relationships are established with parents. Detailed information is gained when a child first starts with the childminder about family members, pets and interests. This means that the childminder has secure understanding of children's individual needs from the beginning. The childminder continues to exchange information through daily discussions or diaries to ensure this initial information is updated and accurate. Parents are fully aware of the observations and records that the childminder keeps to monitor children's progress. They contribute their own observations from home which form part of each child's learning journey. This helps the childminder to plan the next steps for each child, keeping parents fully involved. Parents are provided with detailed information about the service the childminder provides. This is through the parents pack, which includes written policies and procedures. Parents state that they are very happy with the service

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the early years provision

the childminder provides, confident in her professional, welcoming and friendly approach. The childminder is aware of the need to link with any other settings, which children may attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children form a strong bond with the childminder as she dedicates her time to supporting their individual needs. They are happy and settled within the welcoming family home environment and confidently explore the broad range of age- appropriate toys and resources. Children are aware of the consistent expectations and boundaries which helps them to manage their own behaviour. Older children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are able to contribute and read the house rules, which are clearly displayed on the wall. Children are encouraged to help and support each other, share and take turns as they play. They are encouraged to be caring towards each other and the family pet rabbit, which they sometimes stroke and feed. Children show a keen interest in the activities provided, as these reflect their individual preferences. For example, they kick and splash in the river, enjoying the cool sensation of the water

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and outcomes for children

on their bodies. Children make good progress as the childminder observes them as they play. She notes which she then uses to help her to identify ways in which she can support children's next steps. The childminder is also establishing a system to help the childminder to monitor children's progress in all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder chats to the children as they play, increasing their confidence in communicating and their understanding and use of language. They communicate their interest through their babbles as they share a book together. They help to turn the pages and look closely at the pictures as the childminder reads the story. They look and smile at the childminder as she talks, showing their obvious delight and sense of security. Children are encouraged to count as they play and enjoy singing number rhymes such as the 'Five little ducks' learning about number order, value and begin to learn about simple calculation. They explore the play dough with interest, enjoying the feel of the dough and fascinated by the track marks left in it by the toy car. Children have access to creative resources, such as paint and glue. This encourages them to express themselves and use their imaginations. They have some opportunities to use computers and ICT equipment to increase

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and outcomes for children

their confidence and gain skills which will help them in the future. Children access some toys and resources that increase their awareness of the wider world and other communities. They enjoy planned activities that help them to think about different festivals and celebrations to encourage them to respect diversity. Children have many opportunities to engage in physical play activities. They are encouraged to become increasingly mobile when indoors, crawling to access favourite toys and copying older children as they climb through the tunnels. They also regularly visit parks and play areas and play in the garden where they use more challenging equipment to build strong muscles and develop balance, control and co- ordination. Children start to learn about safety as they take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder discusses safety with the children, helping them to learn how to keep themselves and those around them

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and outcomes for children

safe. For example, on outings, children are always reminded of boundaries, rules and road safety before they go. Therefore, so they understand their individual responsibilities in ensuring an enjoyable and safe day out. Children are learning positive routines to promote their own health. They are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and are provided with appropriate resources, such as wipes, to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children are offered healthy snacks and drinks during the day. Posters display examples of healthy food options, encouraging children to become interested in nutrition and how this can have a positive impact on their own lives. 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 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 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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