Whatmore, Vicki Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429558 Inspection date 13/12/2011 Inspector Patricia Bowler

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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 six and two years old in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. The whole of the property except for the main bedroom is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is via a step at the front access. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two pet rabbits.

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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. There is currently one child attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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

The childminder has a positive approach to the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which results in children making good progress towards the early learning goals. Their welfare is met in a safe and secure environment and supported with good partnerships with parents. Subsequently, their individual needs are met well. The childminder is beginning to develop some self-evaluation and reflective practice systems to further improve her service to parents and children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance further parental involvement in children's development to identify ongoing achievements at home to support their next steps in learning  establish effective systems to influence and drive improvement, by further developing self-evaluation and reflective practice procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. She has attended training and knows the steps to take should she have any concerns. Checks are complete to ensure all adults in the household are suitable and an effective policy and procedure is established should there be any complaint about the provision. Detailed written policies and procedures work effectively to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inform parents and identify children's individual welfare needs. Although, shared information identifies starting points for children's learning and development, these are still in the early stages and have yet to include ongoing involvement of parents in achievements at home.

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the early years provision

Accurate attendance records confirm children's arrival and departure times and secure safety measures minimise hazards both indoors and outdoors. Safety gates at the top and base of the stairs prevent unsupervised access to the first floor and rigorous risk assessments ensure children are cared for in a safe environment. They learn about their own safety through age-appropriate rules within the home and engage in meaningful discussions. For example, their questions and resolutions are included in accurate records and review documents maintained during and after practises for emergency evacuation. Outings are used productively to help children gain an awareness of road safety and what to do if they should become separated from the childminder.

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the early years provision

Children follow consistent personal hygiene routines and attractive pictures and posters remind them to wash and dry their hands to prevent the spread of infection. They sit comfortably around the dining table to enjoy nutritionally balanced meals from the planned menu. Meal times are social events where children develop social and communication skills, as they share their daily events. Snacks and drinks ensure their dietary needs are met throughout the day. A wide variety of toys, equipment and resources are easily accessible to children who confidently steer their own play. These are checked regularly to maintain safety and suitability for the ages of the children present. Children develop an awareness of boundaries through consistent methods to manage behaviour, as they follow simple house rules and a sensitive use of praise and encouragement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to her continual personal development and regularly attends further training. She provides an inclusive service by promoting positive attitudes and recognising the uniqueness of individual children. Positive images of difference and diversity actively promote children's awareness of themselves and others through their everyday play. Parents receive clear information about the setting and complete documents to ensure children's individual care needs are met. Procedures are established in preparation for shared care within the Early Years Foundation Stage and to liaise with other professionals should this become necessary for individual children. The childminder has yet to fully establish ways in which she can influence and drive improvement through the development of self- evaluation and reflective practice procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals settling well and moving freely and confidently within the home. The childminder knows the children well and organises her day effectively to meet their individual care routines and preferences. Younger children choose from a range of easily accessible toys crawling and developing early walking skills. A child delights in taking tentative steps to follow a life sized doll, responding with smiles to the gentle This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouragement from the childminder. Hand-eye coordination develops as hand operated toys create sounds and music. Rolling balls along the floor to each other is met with squeals of delight and early communication through babbling. Cuddles are enjoyed by children who respond with obvious affection to the childminder. Children relate warmly to the childminder, as she listens intently to what they say,

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and outcomes for children

engaging them in age-appropriate conversations to develop language and support their efforts. Age-appropriate skills in technology are enhanced with supervised access to a games console and regular baking activities where they learn about textures and changes during cooking processes.

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and outcomes for children

Children understand the importance of personal hygiene routines to minimise the spread of infection. They know to wash their hands before meal times. They enjoy healthy food, including fresh vegetables and fruits. Careful attention is given to food contents, in order to provide for specific dietary requirements. Water and diluted fruit juice are readily accessible for children if they are thirsty. Health is further promoted through information obtained in discussion with parents and accurate records relating to accidents and medication administration. Procedures, including sickness exclusion and diligent hygiene routines minimise the risk of cross-infection.

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and outcomes for children

Regular outdoor play is experienced in the garden, where a range of wheeled toys and equipment support physical play. Children visit the local recreational areas to experience open spaces and use the climbing equipment. They also visit community resources, including the country park where they collect leaves and observe seasonal changes. A sensitive use of praise and encouragement helps children to learn about positive behaviour and how their actions reflect on others. Detailed observation and development records comprehensively record children's development clearly denoting their progress. Photographs confirm their involvement, as their achievements are recognised and valued to produce a compilation of their time with the childminder. However, parents are not yet involved in the ongoing process by adding to or supporting children's identified next steps at home. 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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