White, Catherine Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY345169 Inspection date 06/09/2011 Inspector Shazaad Arshad

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006 and she lives with her husband and children aged eight and five in Bramley, a suburb of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor is available to children, which includes a ground floor toilet area. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder's home is close to local amenities, including a library, parks and shops.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range. Care is also provided to children over five years of age. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works in partnership with local schools and the local children's centre. The childminder has the Nursery Nursing professional qualification in childcare.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced in childcare and has an exceptional commitment to delivering the highest levels of service. Her practice is exemplary and fully embraces the uniqueness of all children. This is reflected in the inclusive environment which values and nurtures children and their families. Highly effective and proactive links with parents and other early years provisions are in place. Organisation of the service and her commitment to evaluation and continual improvement is excellent.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 developing further opportunities for children to access role play clothes.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by effective policies and procedures which are followed by childminder and her assistants. The childminder knows the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and has briefed her parents on her policies. All adults with access to the children have completed relevant checks and up-to-date information is recorded. The childminder works very hard to ensure her knowledge and training is up-to-date and this includes future plans to attend higher level safeguarding training. Thorough risk assessments and daily checks ensure that children are not at risk from hazards. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Equality and diversity is exceptionally well promoted and is central to the daily operation of the childminder's work. There is excellent regard for other cultures, beliefs and abilities. Highly effective use of space and resources ensures a fully

p.4

the early years provision

inclusive and child-friendly environment which enables children to explore. Assistants are deployed well to enhance the ratio of care for children and enable each child to enjoy high levels of individual attention. Resources are of an excellent quality and used effectively to help children learn and develop. The environment is exceptionally well equipped with high quality toys and innovative resources that are rich with symbols, signs, letters and numbers. Resources are fully accessible to all children. The effective use of grant monies for resources has allowed for further improvements to the provision. For example, providing extended opportunities for a nature play exploration, books and outdoor physical play. However, role play dressing up clothes are not as freely accessible.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has excellent links with local schools, other childminders and the local authority. She she is a recognised partner of the local Sure Start centre. Transition arrangements are very effective and the transition assessments and moderation systems are used effectively to ensure continuity in children's learning. For example, teachers attend the setting to discuss the arrangements and to evaluate the assessments prior to children starting school. Parents are exceptionally complimentary about the childminder. They are fully informed of their children's progress and development through informal discussion and they provide their own input into the assessment folders. In discussion with parents, they comment very highly of the service. For example, they remark she is an 'amazing person who is committed to quality learning' and 'a second mother to my children'. Parents are also involved in providing written evaluations of the service

p.5

the early years provision

and the impact on their children's learning. The childminder has total commitment to continuous improvement and strives for continued excellence. This is achieved through attendance on a vast amount of training events and achieving both national and local quality status awards. Her outstanding practise is currently used by the local authority as a model and mentoring example to others. For example, she has been awarded the Childcare Champion Award 2011.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are exceptionally confident, highly motivated and they thoroughly enjoy their time in the exciting play environment. They confidently display very high levels of self-esteem, supported by excellent, caring relationships with the childminder and her assistant. They know the children very well and respond to their individual needs. The children are highly valued and this helps them to feel good about themselves and develop a sense of belonging. The children clearly feel at home in the setting and this is evident through the way they freely select their own resources for play, resting and relaxing as they wish to. They confidently introduce themselves to the inspector and assertively and politely remind the inspector of their rules on not wearing shoes in the play areas. The childminder enables children to feel special by acknowledging and celebrating their backgrounds and their cultural diversity. For example, children demonstrate how

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the 'Little Ted' travel bag and passport has been taken to Zimbabwe and other countries. The children have extended their learning further through tasting Zimbabwean foods and discussions with the childminder. Children's progress records are very informative. The 'look, listen and note' system is used to securely and clearly to track children's progress towards the early learning goals. Ongoing observations are evaluative and, therefore, identify children's achievements accurately. The childminder uses the monthly overall assessments within the child's Learning Journey's to cover planning for children's next steps in their learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children's physical development is fostered through ample opportunities to engage in stretching and exercise for their bodies. They have daily routines of movement and dance. They use their imaginations well, such as when taking turns to demonstrate their dance routines. Children enthusiastically explore simple and more complex technology, as they use programmable toys and equipment with increasing expertise. Excellent interaction coupled with consistent praise and encouragement consolidates children's knowledge and broadens their understanding. For example, they explore using different size batteries in the mechanical toys and construct pieces and remove them using the screwdriver. They recall going on an aeroplane for their holidays and remembering the weather conditions. Children hold structured conversations with their childminder during lunch time and remind her of the activities around collecting butterflies.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children show a good understanding of safe practice as part of daily routines, learning to cross the road safely on walks to school. Children are developing an excellent understanding of their own capabilities. For example, they sit carefully at the table and ensure small pieces are out of reach when they tidy away. Children clearly understand emergency evacuation procedures as they practice them regularly. Children enjoy healthy, balanced and nutritious meals and snacks provided by their childminder. Children follow the 'Change for Life' programme and the menus are full of healthy foods and nutrition. The childminder introduces foods from other cultures and has attended specialist training in cultural dishes from around the world. Hygiene practice is highly effective in supporting children to develop good habits, as they use tissues to catch a cough and dispose of them. Children learn to tidy away activities when they have completed tasks and show

p.6

and outcomes for children

excellent personal skills. They share, take turns and cooperate, as they learn respect and good manners. Overall, children's attitude and disposition to learning is exciting and enjoyable. They have fun as they make exceptional progress in all areas, complemented by high quality interaction with adults. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8