Hall, Rachel

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427144 Inspection date 27/10/2011 Inspector Hazel White

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven years and two years in Hinckley, in Leicestershire. The childminder uses rooms on both the ground and first floor of the property for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet dog and a guinea pig.

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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 no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has a recognised early years qualification to level 3 and receives support from the local authority.

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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 cared for in a homely environment where their individuality is recognised and provided for. They have easy access to a wide variety of play experiences that successfully help them to make good progress in their learning and development. Observation and assessment systems are starting to be used to inform planning. Good communication with parents and strong partnerships with other early years providers helps to ensure consistency of care. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to continuous development although systems to evaluate her practice are in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to link to the early learning goals  develop further evaluation systems to help to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. This includes her duty to record and report any concerns and to share her child protection policy with parents. Adults in the household are deemed suitable to be in contact with the children because they have been through a vetting process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder conducts an annual risk assessment of the premises which clearly demonstrates what action has been taken to minimise all risks to children in the home, garden and on regularly outings. Children benefit from good levels of supervision and individual attention.

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the early years provision

Children move confidently around the playroom and enjoy regular use of the garden. They happily initiate their own play choices from the wide range of resources, many of which promote positive images of race, culture and disability. They are stored at a low level, therefore, are readily available. Children of all abilities are fully included in play activities and those who have English as an additional language are encouraged to use their home language. The daily exchange of information with parents ensures that children's changing needs are known and met.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept up-to-date with their child's progress as the childminder shares their individual learning stories which contain some written evidence of their involvement in various activities. The childminder has devised a range of written policies and procedures to support the children's care, learning and well-being. These are shared with parents on admission. A flexible service is offered and the childminder is committed to meeting parents' wishes. They speak highly of her service and comment that their children are 'safe and very much at home with her'. The childminder has strong partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She talks to them about how children have settled and the current topics that they are taking part in. As a result, children's learning is fully complemented when they are in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an early year's qualification and previous experience of caring for children in a day care setting. She welcomes the support of the local authority and other childminder's to keep her up-to-date with current childcare practice, demonstrating her commitment to further improvement. She has started to consider how best to evaluate her practice although systems to do so are in the early stages of development and do not fully include the views of others. However, she can see how this can help her to identify her strengths and any areas that she can further develop in the future. All of the required documentation such as personal records, policies and procedures are effectively implemented and consistently applied.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and busy in a child-friendly environment. They settle quickly and have warm relationships with the childminder and her family. Resources are easily accessible and children confidently make choices and follow their own interests. Flexible planning helps to ensure that children's learning is varied and progressive. Each child has a learning story which helps the childminder look at their next steps of development. However, the information gained through this observation system is not clearly linked to the early learning goals which could mean that children are not appropriately challenged in all areas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children use their imagination well and particularly enjoy role play. They pretend to go shopping with their trolley and use a till and coins to pay for their purchases. Creative play such as painting and play dough encourage the children to make

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and outcomes for children

models and design pictures. They proudly show adults their diva lamps which they decorate with sequins and glitter. Children look at books and listen to their favourite story about a crocodile. This helps them to understand that words carry meaning. They use musical instruments and happily sing along to action songs and nursery rhymes.

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and outcomes for children

Children have daily opportunities to play in the garden and enjoy being in the fresh air. They discuss why leaves fall of the trees in the autumn and have great fun running through them in the park. They become skilled and confident at using climbing equipment and wheeled toys when they attend the childminding group. This also encourages them to have a positive attitude to being active.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives regular praise, encouragement and support. They learn to share take turns and show consideration for each other because the childminder gentle reminds them of expected behaviour. A good range of resources promote children's understanding of the wider world. Books, dolls and play figures represent race and disability. Children also celebrate a range of special days and events. They are able to recall the Diwali story and know this celebration is a festival of light.

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and outcomes for children

Daily routines help children to begin to develop good hygiene practices, they are reminded to wash their hands before meals and snacks and when returning from outdoor play. Children receive meals and snacks which their parents provide, therefore, their dietary needs are met. Drinks are readily available to ensure that they remain hydrated throughout the day. Children develop a good understanding of how to stay safe. When they are out walking they wear high visibility vests. The childminder teaches them about road safety and talks to the children about the green cross code. 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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