Young, Sabrina Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346213 Inspection date 20/09/2011 Inspector Angela Jackson

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight years, in London Colney, near to St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. Children attend a local toddler group and visit the local park and farm. The family have three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range, no more than one of which may be aged under one. When working with an assistant, the registered numbers are increased to a maximum of eight children aged under eight years, no more than six of which may be in the early years age range and no more than two of which may be aged under one. The childminder is also registered to work with another childminder at the same address. At these times the total number of children cared for may increase in line with the number of children the cochildminder is registered to mind. There are currently five children aged under five years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years level 3 qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has exceptional drive and ambition and is meticulous in her organisation and assessment of children's needs. She successfully uses reflective and ongoing self-evaluation to identify further ways to improve the provision. As a result, children benefit from high levels of care and enthusiastically participate in a wide range of innovative and interesting activities. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are well established so that all children are well supported in making excellent progress towards the early learning goals.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the range of activities to increase children's understanding of the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

There are rigorous procedures in place to safeguard children. The childminder actively takes steps to make sure her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues are up-to-date. She organises training for herself and other local childminders by working in close partnership with the local children's centre and other organisations. This means she is well placed to act promptly and effectively to protect children's welfare. Children are further protected whilst in her care as she is meticulous in carrying out risk assessements and minimising any risks to children's safety. Children are able to move safely and freely around the house and when out in the garden. When going out on trips and visits, the childminder has robust systems in place for maintaining children's safety with back up support provided by an assistant or cochildminder when necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is exemplary. She is continually looking at ways to improve what she offers to children and uses her skills in self-evaluation to excellent effect. She sets clear targets for herself often supplementing her understanding of issues such as special educational needs and/or disabilities with further training. This enhances expected learning outcomes for all children who benefit from the new strategies that the childminder learns. For example, recent training in 'Every Child a Talker', provides new ideas for developing communication skills in all children as well as those children experiencing difficulties or speech delay. This makes sure that all children are fully included and make very good progress in relation to their starting points and stage of development.

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the early years provision

Children have ready access to a wide range of resources that they play with throughout the ground floor areas of the house. The playroom was recently converted for the exclusive use of the children and is stocked full of toys and equipment. Children choose what they want to do and play for extended lengths of time together as a group. The childminder organises the time, space and activities to take full account of children's needs and interests. She uses assessments of her observations of children at play, to effectively support them in all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and there is continual two-way feedback that supports parents in taking a full and active part in their children's learning. Parents particularly appreciate the opportunity to take their children's Learning Journal home every term. This provides excellent insight into children's progress and how well they are doing. Parents views are valued and contribute to the overall running of the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and content in the warm and caring environment provided by the childminder. They are fully involved in all aspects of the provision independently going about their day choosing from the wide range of resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and activities offered to them. The childminder plans innovative learning activities that provide many opportunities for developing skills and knowledge across many different areas. For example, as part of their healthy lifestyle, children go out for walks in the fresh air kicking over leaves and looking for interesting natural items, such as conkers and acorns. The childminder extends this learning experience through a wide range of activities that include sorting and counting the conkers helping to develop number and calculation skills. Later, the children excitedly choose a conker as they prepare for an absorbing painting session. Children create

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and outcomes for children

pictures within cereal boxes, using autumnal bright yellow, orange and green. They use their fingers and spoons to cover the conkers in paint and then roll them around in the box. Children explore the effects of the paint on the conkers, how it trails from the spoon to stick onto the conker below.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely well behaved. There are high expectations for good manners and for treating each other kindly. This means children happily share and take turns. They ask each other nicely when they want something and respond positively to requests for help. Children are learning to understand how their bodies work and to recognise their own needs. Independence is encouraged. They take themselves to the toilet and follow established good routines for washing their hands. During snack time children opt for bananas and grapes in order to complete their 5-a-day chart for health. Children enjoy a weekly visit to the local farm where they have further opportunities to learn about the living world and to develop physical skills as they run and climb.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe through many innovative activities. For example, they recently took part in a national road safety day to raise children's awareness of road safety and to reduce injuries on the roads. As a result of the activities and resources, the childminder set up role play of a traffic scenario in the quiet cul-de-sac. The children learnt the rules for crossing roads safely on the zebra crossing and why they use car seats.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to respect themselves and others through careful explanation and stories. They sit enthralled as they read a favourite book about difference and diversity. They turn the pages and look for similarities with people they know, discussing why some people have to wear glasses or have a different coloured skin. Children understand that babies are not able to walk or to talk and discuss with feeling, about how they have to care for babies when they cry.

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and outcomes for children

Carefully planned activities and excellent interaction with the childminder, enables children to effectively communicate their views and emotions. Children enjoy playing with computers and toys that make music or sounds and understand that the written word is used to convey meaning. In addition, children are developing strong social skills and as a result, children are developing skills for their future well-being. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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