Chamberlain Lynda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 207427 Inspection date 08/09/2011 Inspector Alison Putnar

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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 1994. She lives with her husband, adult child and teenage daughter on the borders of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. There are parks, shops, schools, toddler groups and playgroups within walking distance of the home. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding, with toilet facilities provided on this level. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered to work with an assistant and may increase the number of children attending at this time. There are currently 12 children on roll with varying attendance patterns. Eight are in the Early Years age range. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification. She is a member of the National

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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

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring each child's needs are met. She communicates well with parents and other settings the children attend to provide continuity in children's care. Methods for monitoring and planning for children's development are improving and are generally effective. As a result, children make good progress through the variety of play opportunities provided. Children's safety is protected effectively through secure practices. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude and ability to maintain the good level of service and make further improvements to benefit the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 make further links between observations of children's progress and planning, highlighting next steps for children to work towards and using these to provide activities to help children reach their full potential. Create opportunities to share this information with parents to ensure all are working together to support the children  develop further methods of self-evaluation involving assistants in reviewing the setting and highlighting further areas for development to maintain the good standard and to continually improve the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of procedures for safeguarding children from harm or neglect and, along with her assistant, has attended training in this This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 area of work to further her knowledge. The childminder has a sensible attitude to safety and takes steps to ensure children are kept safe in the home and when on trips. She undertakes risk assessments to further reduce the likelihood of accidents. Children are consistently supervised to ensure they remain safe as the childminder and assistant organise themselves effectively within the home. Those living and working on the premises have undergone required suitability checks to ensure they are suitable to be around children. The childminder has developed a range of policies to guide her practice. These are shared with parents, keeping them well informed and obtaining their support in maintaining a safe and healthy

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the early years provision

environment. For example, parents follow the sick child policy, keeping their children at home if they are unwell to prevent the spread of illness. Detailed records and daily diaries relating to the care of children are shared with parents, promoting close working relationships and ensuring that children are cared for in line with parents' wishes and according to individual needs. The childminder establishes supportive and trusting relationships with the children and their parents. Through good methods of communication, information is shared about the children's day and aspects of their developmental progress. Letters and feedback forms from parents using the setting show that they value the childminder's skills and are very happy with the care and support provided by her and the assistant.

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the early years provision

The home is organised well to meet the needs of the young children. A welcoming environment is provided where children can play, eat and relax in comfort. Toys are stored accessibly on shelving units to enable children to make independent choices about their play, further supporting their enjoyment and keeping them active and interested. Children have good amounts of space to play. As a result individual needs are well catered for. Some can rest and sleep on the settee or in pushchairs, while others play actively in the spacious dining kitchen. The garden is also used frequently to offer wider learning experiences. Written observation and assessment records are progressing well. The childminder is beginning to consider next steps for individuals' learning to help children build on the skills they already have. The young children make good progress as they access a range of worthwhile play activities in the childminder's home, at local groups and during

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a highly positive attitude to making improvements and maintaining the good service. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed, ensuring a first aid certificate is maintained and keeping Ofsted informed of any changes. The childminder and her assistant attend a wealth of training courses to enhance their skills and knowledge for the benefit of the setting. In addition, she actively seeks advice from relevant professionals, making changes where appropriate, such as developing more effective methods for assessing children's development. Regular visits to local childminder meetings enable her to keep abreast of changes and share ideas and good practice. The childminder values parents' views as she asks for their feedback as a tool to ensure the setting continues to meet both parents' and children's needs. She periodically highlights strengths and some areas for development when completing her self-

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the early years provision

evaluation and now needs to implement this methods more frequently to benefit the children further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time as they are encouraged to make choices in play. A range of toys are set out for them in the lounge and dining kitchen. Children help themselves to those that interest them. They are also able to choose from other toys stored accessibly. Consequently, children are active and involved. They make good progress through the range of activities they access in the home and at local community settings. The childminder observes and records the progress children make during play and is beginning to highlight some next steps for children to work towards. The system does not yet fully show how children are helped to reach these next steps and make as much progress as they are capable of. Children settle well and benefit from the childminder's and assistant's friendly nature. Together, they make good use of time, ensuring all the children receive equal and individual attention at times. During a jigsaw activity children develop

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and outcomes for children

their language skills as the picture reminds them of their recent trip to the farm. The children chat to the childminder as she helps them recall the animals they saw and fed. Younger ones demonstrate early communication skills as they play a game of peep-boo as they lift the flap of the tent to see the childminder's assistant.

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and outcomes for children

All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources as the childminder actively promotes equality. Boys and girls play alongside each other with the toy vehicles, jigsaws, tent and dolls, developing their imagination as they pretend to take the babies or soft toys for a walk in the pushchair in the garden. Children explore issues of the wider world through trips out and during a range of craft activities for a variety of festivals and celebrations at the local childminder group and in the childminder's home. These craft activities provide good opportunities for children to experiment using single-handed tools, such as, glue spreaders and crayons to enhance their small physical skills needed for future writing. The young children are developing good personal, social and emotional skills. Some play cooperatively, whilst others are learning to share and take turns appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder uses sensitive and appropriate

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and outcomes for children

guidance to encourage them to take turns and share fairly. As a result, behaviour in the setting is good. Children increase their confidence and extend their social skills as they mix with others of a similar age in the childminder's home and at the local groups. Here, they also experience larger group care situations in preparation for pre-school or school.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted. Young ones are supported to develop good hygiene routines through gentle reminders to clean their hands after independently visiting the bathroom. The home is clean and tidy and snacks and refreshments are readily available and nutritious, provided following close consultation with parents. The childminder ensures children gain fresh air and exercise daily. Children develop their physical skills as they use wheeled toys in the garden, go on walks in the local community to the park or to feed the ducks. Together they visit soft play areas where children can develop wider physical skills and attempt greater challenges in a safe environment. The garden is beginning to be used more to offer wider learning opportunities, such as, planting and growing tomatoes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or for painting on a larger scale. Outdoor activities are also used to help children

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and outcomes for children

consider safe practices, such as, crossing roads together. The children can revisit these safe practices in the childminder's home as they play with a road crossing patrol set and see their soft toys wearing high visibility jackets also. 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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