Lomas,Clare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427199 Inspection date 20/09/2011 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and nine years, in Exmouth, Devon. The childminder uses all of her home to provide childcare, though childminding is mainly carried out on the ground floor. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She may also provide overnight care for one child. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 welcoming and relaxed environment. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs. Overall, she provides a wide range of interesting play activities and experiences that promote children's learning and development. Children's welfare is promoted well, and overall, the partnerships established with parents support continuity of care for children. The childminder has a positive attitude to the ongoing development of the service she offers. She has some informal systems in place to help her reflect on her practice, which contributes towards improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation processes and review the organisation of activities and learning experiences to ensure that all children are supported in taking their next steps in their learning  extend current systems for exchanging information with parents, to share details of children's progress and get them actively involved in their child's learning.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well promoted, because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care. Detailed risk assessments and appropriate safety measures help the childminder to maximise the safety and security of the premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and help to keep children safe on outings. For example, play equipment with small pieces are stored out of the reach of the younger children. The childminder's good levels of supervision and well organised routines help young children to feel comfortable and secure in her care. This means that children become confident to move around freely and safely in their play. Documentation is well-organised and contains all the information the childminder requires to support children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of clean, good quality toys and resources, including some resources that reflect positive images of other cultures to help raise awareness of diversity. Resources are thoughtfully positioned so they are easily accessible and allow children to freely explore the toys and play provision. Good use is made of the outdoor play space, which provides children with regular fresh air and aids their enjoyment and development. The childminder is eager to develop her provision and attends training to continue to update her knowledge and skills, such as 'exploring cultures'. She is beginning to review the service she provides to help identify where improvements will benefit children. However, the childminder has not fully evaluated the organisation of activities to ensure they challenge all children to take the next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established a close working relationship with parents. Settling- in arrangements enable the childminder to gain clear information about children's individual interests and capabilities. Effective ongoing liaison with parents means that younger children's routines are successfully followed, such as their individual sleeping requirements. This helps children feel comfortable in the childminder's care. A daily diary is successfully used as an effective system for the two-way exchange of information and parents feel it is a useful way to keep them up-to- date about their child's care. However, systems to get parents actively involved in their child's learning and development have not yet been fully explored. The childminder is aware of the importance of working with other agencies and settings that children attend. She has clear plans for developing positive partnerships with others, should this be required.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and show a strong sense of belonging in the way they play and interact with the childminder. They are confident to approach the childminder as they can be assured of a warm and caring response. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's individual needs and balances her attention extremely well to make sure that all children are valued and included. For example, when looking at the book she makes sure that all children can cuddle up and look at the pictures. The childminder has a developing knowledge of the early learning goals and uses observational assessments to help her monitor children's achievements. Overall, the broad range of play activities and experiences are geared to children's individual ages and successfully promote their learning and development. For example, the childminder provides different sized cups and containers to support younger children's interest in putting things in and

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 taking them out of containers. Children benefit from the calm and relaxed environment provided by the childminder. The frequent praise and clear guidance they receive helps to increase their confidence and supports them in understanding what is expected.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is fostered well. Younger children are developing confidence in exploring their surroundings and the childminder offers sensitive support as they learn to stand and walk. Children enjoy looking at books and younger children respond by vocalising, pointing to the pictures and helping to turn the pages. The childminder gets actively involved in children's play to engage the children and develop their communication skills. Children have access to resources to introduce them to size and shape, and the childminder incorporates number and counting through the play activities to encourage children's mathematical skills. Children take part in regular outings around their local environment and attend a variety of play activities, such as 'get up and go' and 'bounce and rhyme' sessions. This extends their play experiences and provides additional opportunities to socialise with others. Children enjoy being out in the fresh air and joining in

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and outcomes for children

energetic play. They have fun splashing in the water and bouncing on the low trampoline. Children use their senses to explore the wide range of interesting creative activities provided, such as exploring paint with their feet then creating footprints on the paper.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well in developing healthy lifestyles, and benefit from the provision of healthy choices at meal times. The thoughtful childminder makes sure that babies and young children's needs are met well, offering regular drinks and linking closely with parents about children's individual feeding patterns. Younger children are encouraged to develop their independence and learn to feed themselves and the childminder provides sensitive support to help them stay safe. Good hygiene routines are followed, which contributes towards minimising the spread of infection and helps develop children's own understanding about keeping healthy. Space is organised well to provide free space for children to move around easily and safely, and the use of appropriate child's seats at meal times means that younger children are kept secure. Children are involved in practising the fire drill so that they can be evacuated quickly in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

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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