Carpenter, Coleen Brenda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY365659 Inspection date 14/09/2011 Inspector June Oliver

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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 2008. She lives with her adult son in the village of Stanton in Suffolk close to local amenities. Most of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time, no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding five children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder offers care to older children and is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of childcare registers. There were no children present on the day of the inspection.

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Description of the childminding

The family has two cats, two turtles and two rabbits as pets. The childminder takes children to local schools, nursery and pre-schools. The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as, parks, the library and the children's centre. 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 in the childminder's care because she forms good relationships with them and their parents. She observes children's play and uses this information well to plan appropriate activities so that they make good progress towards the early learning goals. She generally keeps parents well informed about what their children are doing and obtains useful information about their preferences, starting points and routines. Children are starting to be aware of similarities and differences in people and the ways they live. This ensures that children's individual needs are being met. The childminder has evaluated her practice and has identified her strengths and weaknesses and is committed to improving her provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to ensure children begin to know about their own and other peoples cultures in order to understand and celebrate the similarities and differences between them in a diverse society  ensure parents are involved in their child's continuous learning and development with respect to sharing learning records and obtaining parental feedback. 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 effectively safeguarded in the setting because the childminder has good knowledge of local safeguarding policies and procedures. She has completed safeguarding training and has appropriate contact numbers available should she have a concern about a child. All household members are suitably vetted. Children are kept very safe whilst in the childminders care because she supervises them well and is vigilant when out and about. The childminder completes risk assessments to ensure children's safety around the setting and when on outings. Children are further protected because the childminder keeps good records including attendance, medication and accident records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to support children in their learning. The indoor environment is organised to enable children to select their own resources from the good quality ones available and so become independent learners. The garden encourages children's physical development using ride on toys and large play equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her practice and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She has identified priorities for improvement to raise outcomes for children, such as, updating safeguarding and food hygiene training. The childminder continually looks for ways to improve her practice, such as, introducing new musical instruments to the setting to encourage children to participate in music making.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms good relationships with parents and carers. She obtains written information about each child to enable their individual needs to be effectively met. Parents are well informed about their children's care. For example, the childminder and parents share information about children on a daily basis, such as children's food and drink intakes and activities, using daily diaries, and verbal exchanges. Children's learning journals are shared regularly with parents and their comments encouraged, although these are not always recorded. This means that parents may not be as fully involved in their children's learning. The childminder forms good relationships with the pre-school, nursery and school that she collects from which contributes to supporting children's learning and development. Good relationships have been made with the local authority development worker and children's centre for support for her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to support children to understand their own and others cultures and beliefs. Children may not feel totally included in the setting as all cultures and beliefs are not always represented. A good range of multicultural resources, such as, books, pretend play and role play items are available for children to learn about differences and diversity. The childminder offers sensitive care to children with special educational needs and/or disability and supports them to participate fully in the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Parents comment that children enjoy their time at this setting with a caring and responsive childminder. The childminder provides well planned activities and outings to ensure children progress towards the early learning goals. Children are able to move around the setting freely and safely because the childminder ensures their environment is free from hazards. The childminder ensures children's safety when out in the community by teaching about road safety and ensuring younger children are appropriately restrained in buggies or holding hands with a partner.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is effectively promoted by the childminder. Children are encouraged to play outside regularly in the garden, go on visits to the local park or by going on walks. They are given regular opportunities to use large and small play equipment and run about to develop their physical skills. For example, by using ride on toys and climbing on the climbing frame in the garden. Children are learning about healthy food choices as they discuss the contents of their lunch boxes. The childminder supports children by teaching them effective care routines, such as hand washing before lunch.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder plans activities around their interests and needs. She regularly records observations through photographs and narratives and links activities to the six areas of learning and identifies next steps. Children are developing their language skills as the childminder reads stories. They are developing early writing skills as they are encouraged to participate in craft activities, such as making faces out of paper plates. Young children are given opportunities to develop their mathematical skills as the childminder encourages counting during everyday activities. Children learn how to use information technology when they use computers and electronic toys which also helps to develop their skills for the future. They learn about the wider world by using the library and toddler groups and getting out in the community.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has clear and consistent boundaries and she offers clear explanations for the house rules, involving children in making them up. This ensures children feel settled and confident to explore the setting. Children learn about their own and other cultures and beliefs as books showing positive images and diversity are used and some festivals are celebrated. 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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