Hunter-Jenkinson, Shelly Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408061 Inspection date 06/10/2011 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 2010. She lives with her four year old daughter in Darlington. The family has a pet hamster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and first floor bathroom and back bedroom are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently has three children on roll, of which one is in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from local schools and nursery.

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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, settled and engaged in activities in the friendly and welcoming environment provided by the childminder. They make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. This is combined with good procedures to work closely with parents to gather all required information to meet their individual needs. However, systems to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are not fully established. Children's welfare is promoted well and all required documentation to safeguard them is in place. The childminder evaluates her provision effectively and is continuously improving her childminding practice through observations and reflection.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record in a fire log book  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions.

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the early years provision

Children are well cared for in an environment which is comfortable and secure. They are safeguarded well as potential risks are identified, addressed and minimised effectively through the use of appropriate safety procedures such as daily checks of all areas, using cupboard locks and keeping external doors locked. This is further supported by a clear record of risk assessment for all areas of the home and outings. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 signs and symptoms including procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. Consequently, children are well protected. Although the childminder has only been minding for a few months, she demonstrates a genuine commitment to reflecting on, and evaluating her practice in order to improve outcomes for children. For example, rearranging her resources to provide children with more

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the early years provision

opportunities to self-select. She discusses practice with other childminder's and has developed a 'to do' list of areas for improvement. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where all children can play safely. Resources are plentiful, age-appropriate and organised effectively so that children can access them freely. This encourages independence and decision making.

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the early years provision

Inclusion is actively promoted as the childminder gathers good information from parents at the start to ensure that she is aware of children's individual needs. She helps children to develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through discussion and a suitable range of resources, which promote a positive outlook of the wider world. Effective systems have been established to work with parents. Parents and children are invited for introductory visits to meet the childminder and see how she works. Parents sign to say they have read and understood all policies, this ensures that they are well informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up-to-date about their child's progress through verbal feedback, learning journals and the two-way use of daily diaries. The childminder adds any information passed from schools into the diaries. However, she has not developed systems to further share information

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the early years provision

about children's individual learning and development with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This does not fully support continuity of care and learning for children who attend more than one setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this to provide children with a wide range of activities that are based on their interests and individual needs. Each child has a learning journal, these include photographs and detailed observations which are linked to the areas of learning and identify next steps in children's progress. The childminder clearly knows the children well and she extends their learning through play and planned activities. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Fully engaged in their play, the childminder sits on the floor and supports children's learning well. For example, she repeats words and encourages younger children to name animals. This helps them to develop their emerging communication skills. Children move around the space confidently, they toddle over to toy boxes and make clear choices about what they want to play with. They clearly enjoy playing with the childminder and laugh and giggle as they roll and throw balls to each other. This helps to promote their physical development. A good range of jigsaws, games and building blocks supports children's problem solving skills. The childminder explains how they count through everyday activities, for example, counting stairs or how many blocks they can stack. Children have good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to be creative, for example, they explore paint making handprints

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and outcomes for children

and using car wheels to make tracks. The childminder has a good range of resources to help children to begin to develop their skills for the future, including digital cameras, lap top computer and a variety of press button toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is successfully promoted by the childminder. They learn about keeping safe as they practice road safety and the childminder talks to them about stranger danger and not touching unknown dogs. However, although the childminder has discussed fire drills with the children she has not yet practiced them to further support children's understanding of what to do if there was a fire. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. The childminder understands the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet and continually looks out for new and interesting recipes for children to try. She provides regular opportunities for children to engage in physical activities, for example, they go for walks to the park and children enjoy digging and planting in the garden. This also helps children to begin to learn about the natural world. The childminder has a good understanding of age-appropriate behaviour management

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and outcomes for children

techniques to help children to learn right from wrong. She gives them lots of praise and encouragement. This positive recognition helps nurture children's confidence and self-esteem and results in children who are happy and settled in her care. 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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