O'Brien, Mrs Alice

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY425536 Inspection date 02/11/2011 Inspector Abigail Cunningham

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 2011. She lives in Carlton, on the outskirts of Barnsley, near Wakefield with her mum, dad and brother. All ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. The premises are accessible to wheelchair users, as there is a ramp at the front door. There is an enclosed rear garden which is used for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.4

Description of the childminding

When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. When working with her co-childminder or registered assistant they may care for a maximum of 12 children. The childminder provides a service from Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year. There are currently 18 children attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage who attend on a part- time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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 places the promotion of inclusion at the heart of her work and the welfare of the children is promoted exceptionally well and is significantly enhanced by the childminder's exemplary working practices. The childminder takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships with parents and other childcare providers. As a result, the children make rapid progress in their development and the provision for developing their communication skills is excellent. Proactive systems are in place, which lead to continued improvement, although, parents are not heavily involved in decision making on key matters affecting the setting.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 encouraging parents to be highly involved in the self-evaluation process.

p.4

the early years provision

Very positive steps are taken to safeguard children. The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and has attended safeguarding training. She also has experience of working alongside external agencies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and recording concerns.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder works extremely well as part of a busy childminding team and is successful in making and planning future improvements. For example, she has completed a childcare qualification and has applied to be part of a childminding network, so that parents can access nursery education funding. Self-evaluation involves both childminders and assistants and the parent's and students views are also sought; however, there is scope to encourage parents to be more involved in the self-evaluation process.

p.5

the early years provision

Feedback from parents is extremely positive, for example, numerous 'thank you' cards and letters have been completed and can be seen within the childminder's information file. Parents have commented, 'the settling-in period was faultless' and 'my child looks forward to coming everyday, which shows you make her feel secure and welcome.' Parents are extremely well informed about all aspects of their children's achievement, well-being and development. For instance, parents receive verbal feedback from the childminder and the children's development records are shared with the parents and they add their comments to these. Parents also ask the childminder for advice on various childcare issues, for example, in regards to how they can encourage their child to sleep through the night. In addition, the childminder and parents agree about precise ways that they can both support the children, for instance, with speech and language difficulties

p.5

the early years provision

or specific medical needs. This highly inclusive system of communication ensures that there are consistent and productive partnerships with parents.

p.5

the early years provision

Children develop a very positive attitude to others and an excellent understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children have opportunities to play in harmony with children from different cultural backgrounds and with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities. Children also learn about interesting events, such as the 'Chinese New Year'.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs. She updates her skills and knowledge on a regular basis and is very experienced in caring for children who have additional needs. There are well- established channels of communications between all partners involved with individual children, which successfully promotes their learning, development and welfare. For example, where children attend other settings, the childminder has permission from parents to share information with the other childcare providers. She has introduced herself to the staff and shares the children's development records with them. The childminder has developed excellent links with the local and wider community, for example, students from a local school, college and university attend training placements at the childminder's home.

p.5

the early years provision

Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development, such as the low-level tables, chairs, books, sensory board and mats. The environment is managed very well and carefully looked after, for example, it is maintained and decorated to a high standard. The provider is taking well-considered steps to ensure resources and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment is sustainable, as recycled materials are used during art and craft activities, such as egg trays.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Young children are extremely content and settled because their individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to an exceptional standard. As a result, they enjoy their food very much; they settle down quickly for a sleep, they laugh while having their nappies changed and crawl over to the childminder for cuddles. The children love playing outside and have great fun playing in the sand tray, digging in the mud, using the balancing disks and the slide. They also enjoy playing in the summer house with the shop and play food.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The environment in which children are cared for and educated is safe and supportive. Children are taught to be safety conscious without being fearful. They show a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe, through helping the childminder carry out risk assessments and fire drills. While on outings the childminder shows the children how to cross roads safely, for instance the children walk on the pavement away from the roadside and they only cross the road at safe places.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a thorough understanding of how children develop and learn. She has completed a level 3 childcare qualification, which is clearly reflected in the planning and assessment records. The childminder plans an excellent and interesting range of activities for the children, which are based on interesting themes and the children's individual interests, such as Halloween and healthy eating. Assessment and monitoring through high quality observations is rigorous and the information gained, is used very effectively to identify the next steps in learning and to guide planning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Activities are very inviting and as a result, babies are beginning to develop excellent early skills and are exploring their surroundings with great interest becoming active and inquisitive learners. The children are making rapid progress in their learning. This is because the childminder is skilled at listening to both the children's verbal and non-verbal communications. As a result, babies and young children are extremely confident and competent in communicating their thoughts, for example, one baby crawled over to 'my first yellow picture book' and brought it over for the childminder to read. Young children enjoy singing songs in both English and French, such as 'the ABC song', 'happy birthday' and 'brother jack'. Young children can count from one to 10 and can recognise, name and match some colours, such as red.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is an excellent role model, for instance she is a very calm, positive and friendly person, and enjoys caring for the children. As a result, the children's behaviour is exemplary; they enjoy interacting with others and show high levels of independence. For instance, young children are eager to feed themselves and are very keen to put on their outdoor coats and shoes. 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 1 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