Davis, Sarah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 155266 Inspection date 07/10/2011 Inspector Carly Mooney

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and children aged ten and two years in Fleet Fen, near Holbeach, Lincolnshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from a local nursery. The family has pet dog, cat, snake, pony, chickens, guinea pig and quails.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. She 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 feel safe and secure in the welcoming environment and participate in a varied range of activities which allow them to make good progress in their learning. The childminder demonstrates clear skills in observing and assessing children's development. Friendly relationships with parents have developed which ensures they work closely together to meet children's individual needs. Parents are kept very well informed about their child. The childminder has suitable systems in place to monitor and evaluate her practice and demonstrates a firm commitment to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further encourage children's opportunities to develop and use their home language in their play and learning.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has good knowledge of child protection and is aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns. She attends regular training to ensure she has the most up-to-date information and suitability checks have been carried out on adults living at the premises. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of the home and any outings children participate in. Daily check lists ensure any hazards are quickly identified and minimised to keep children safe. Documentation, including parental This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 permissions, registers and records which are required to support childminding are effectively maintained. The childminder shares a range of well thought out policies and procedures with parents which reflect the good practice at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and homely learning environment for children. Little touches such as named coat pegs and children's work displayed on the walls of the play room gives them a true sense of belonging. Play areas are spacious and organised effectively to meet children's individual needs and promote their independence. A good range of suitable toys and resources are easily accessible. The childminder has a secure knowledge of each child and their backgrounds and constantly liaises with parents to ensure their continuing needs are met. The childminder understands the need to enable children to become aware of similarities and differences in people and teaches children about values and respect through her resources and activities. The childminder cares for children who speak English as a second language and is beginning to develop practices that value and embrace children's linguistic diversity and culture.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built, secure, positive friendships with the parents of the children she cares for. Daily verbal communication and a detailed diary ensure parents are made fully aware of their child's day and the activities participated in. Parents are fully involved in their children's learning and development as monthly reviews of their child's progress and six month assessment reports are shared. Parents comment positively on their child's progress and development with the childminder. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other settings who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to implement procedures for sharing information. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to improving outcomes for children. She attends regular training to improve practice and maintain continuous improvement. Systems in place for self- evaluation are effective.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is loving and caring and has secured close relationships with children. They demonstrate that they are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care, as very young children gesture for a cuddle on her knee. The childminder has a good understanding of learning through play and supports children appropriately in activities. For example, she spends quality time at their level, supporting them to complete jigsaws. Interesting records of children's progress are kept and provide a good account of their time at the setting. Observations are meaningful, link to the early learning goals and identify clear next steps which are shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn that print carries meaning as they see labels and posters in their environment. They enjoy sharing books which are easily accessible from the cosy book corner and choose books they are interested in from the library. Children spend time in the local community as they visit toddler groups for different This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences and socialising with their peers. They gain a good understanding of the outside world through visiting places of interest, such as, a local butterfly park and gently handle animals, such as, a corn snake and guinea pig in the childminder's home. Children spend quality time in the fresh air on daily walks or through use of the garden. Their physical skills are developed through age- appropriate equipment in the garden, regular trips to the park and soft play centres. Children have good opportunities to express their creativity in a variety of

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and outcomes for children

activities, such as, shaving foam play, painting and drawing.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy by adopting personal hygiene routines, such as, hand washing before meals. Individual towels chosen by the children help to stop the spread of infection. Accident and medication records are appropriately maintained and the childminder holds a current first aid qualification which safeguards children's health. Healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are provided and drinks are available at all times. Children's behaviour is age-appropriate and the childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they participate in regular fire drills and are encouraged to tidy toys away so that it is safe to crawl through the play tunnel. The childminder ensures she regularly praises and encourages children when they do well to help build their self-esteem and confidence. 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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