Kenyon, Tina Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418607 Inspection date 31/10/2011 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 2010. She lives in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, with her husband, one adult child and three children aged between two and 15 years. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one room upstairs for sleep. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder provides care before and after school all year round. The family has a dog and some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years and the compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range and of these one may be under the age of one year. She is currently caring for four children, two of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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

The childminder has established excellent working relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are well met. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys her resources well and provides a broad range of challenging learning opportunities for each child. Good methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are in place. Most of the required documentation is in place and kept appropriately to promote and safeguard children's welfare. The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain written parental permission at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 07/11/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain confidentiality with regards to the recording of accidents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and has attended training in child protection; this knowledge is underpinned by a clear policy which is shared with parents. She understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes and all adults within the home have undergone checks to ensure their suitability. The childminder supervises the children carefully and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Risk assessments are comprehensive and reviewed regularly to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised; rigorous daily checks further improve children's safety. Very well organised documentation and good record keeping promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. However, there is a breach of the requirements, written parental permission to the seeking of any emergency medical treatment or advice

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the early years provision

has not been obtained for all children and may compromise a child's safety in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Clear written policies and procedures are shared and agreed with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. Positive written feedback demonstrates parents' high regard for the childminder and the flexible service she offers. A two-way daily diary means that information is shared between both parties so that they are both informed about the child's time away from each one. The childminder has excellent relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them and completes initial observations so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs, and can provide a consistency of care. Very good settling in procedures that are based around children's individual needs helps to support them in the transition between home and the childminding home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She reflects and evaluates her practice to maintain continuous improvement and to monitor the progress children make in their learning and development. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child development which enables her to provide good quality care. She meets regularly with a network of childminders where they discuss their training needs. The childminder also uses the Ofsted website to keep updated with any relevant changes that may impact on her practice. The childminder organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs; she has a good understanding of children's individual abilities and this enables her to provide play experiences and activities to support each child's growing skills. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or

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the early years provision

disabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide an interesting range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. She organises her service to ensure that children receive individual attention appropriate to their needs. Planning is in place and is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on and extend children's interests. The childminder observes children at play and keeps a record of children's progress, so the information gained from her observations of children, can be used to identify the next steps in each child's learning. Children are confident and very comfortable in the childminder's care and young children's language is developing well as they repeat words spoken to them.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their early literacy skills because the childminder ensures they have lots of good quality experiences to promote these skills, for example, children have access to a wide range of books which they enjoy. The childminder uses props to increase children's understanding as she reads them the story of 'The hungry caterpillar'. Children learn about number and colour as they find the items of food the caterpillar eats and pretend to 'munch' through them. Children begin to be problem solvers as they confidently operate simple equipment, such as, push and play, putting balls down the slide and then looking for them as they come out below. Children learn about number and colour through everyday activities, and gain awareness of weight and measurement through cooking activities as they weigh ingredients to make cakes. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. For example, there is a 'Who's here today' board where they can put their photo and all the minded children and childminder have made a canvas with their handprints which promotes children's sense of belonging. Young children demonstrate strong exploratory impulses and explore what is on offer with interest, as they confidently toddle around to investigate toys and activities. For example, turning up the volume on the CD player to dance and finding the Halloween shapes in the water. Resources are in place that help children celebrate the diverse society in which they live. They regularly go out in the local area helping them to make sense of the world and their place within it. They regularly join in at local toddler groups and use the toy library to extend the available resources.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy varied opportunities for exercise; they practise their physical skills at the park or in the garden and join in with music and movement sessions. This helps them to develop good muscle control, feel relaxed and develop a sense of overall well-being. Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about responsible behaviour. She uses clear instructions and gentle reminders which helps them to learn about sharing resources and taking turns. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, as well as ensuring that all children have independent access to drinks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of keeping safe, both in the home and on outings. For

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and outcomes for children

example, regular fire evacuation drills are carried out so that children know what to do in an emergency. Although accidents are recorded, there are in a book, rather than as single entries and therefore confidentiality may be compromised. 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 1

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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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