Graham-Troll, Mathew Darrin

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427398 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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. He lives with his wife who is also a childminder in Brackley, Northamptonshire. They have two children aged 11 and six years old. The whole of the downstairs of the premises is used for childminding. The premises are easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have a pet dog and giant African land snails.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. When working alongside another childminder, they may care for eight children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 11 children attending, nine of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are eager to learn and they develop at a fantastic rate in this vibrant setting. Their individuality is fully appreciated and their interests are superbly catered for. A stimulating programme of exciting activities ensure children are happy and fully engaged at all times. The childminder's professionalism and robust procedures ensure they are fully safeguarded. Superb partnerships with parents and other professionals ensure all children's care and education is tailored towards their needs. Planning for improvement and methods used for self-evaluation are comprehensive.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensuring the written risk assessment record reflects the actual practice that is in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder and his co-childminder are passionate and dedicated to their role as childcare providers. The children are very effectively safeguarded as robust safeguarding policies and procedures have been devised and implemented. The childminder uses training, publications and professionals expertise to ensure he has up to date knowledge of how to protect children from harm. He is fully aware This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of his responsibilities and reporting procedures in the event of any concerns about a child in his care. Parents and carers are made fully aware of the setting's role to safeguard children. Almost all of the actual practice that is in place is included in the written risk assessments. The childminder obtains clear agreements with parents and carers and all required information about them and their child. As a result, the childminder knows who may have legal contact with a child and who

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the early years provision

The outcomes for children are consistently improved as the childminder is clearly committed to the ongoing development of the setting. He places a high emphasis upon his own professional development, which positively impacts upon this already high quality service. Thorough systems for monitoring and evaluating the setting include the confident application of the Ofsted self-evaluation form. Comprehensive assessments, including parental questionnaires are used to determine how well the setting meets the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, children and their parents are invited to provide feedback about what they like and what they think could be done better or differently. Consequently, all children and their families feel valued and are fully involved in the life of the setting. As a team, the childminder and his co-childminder confidently reflect and act on their effectiveness in promoting children's welfare, health, safety, learning

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the early years provision

and development. Targets identified for improvement are relevant, realistic and very successfully implemented to bring about positive outcomes for children and their families. For example, the childminder identified through a visit to the library that toddlers who are not yet fully mobile showed a keener interest in books that were displayed on a unit. He noticed that they could use the unit to pull themselves to standing and self-select. As a result and without delay he sourced a unit. This is now used to display books and toys appropriate for the younger age group, which they can also use to pull themselves to standing. Therefore, their physical development is being enhanced, whilst they are becoming inquisitive and independent.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. The childminder has excellent relationships with parents, who express complete confidence in the service they receive. Parents describe the childminder as 'a natural' and feel they have been 'lucky to find such a perfect place, where there children are so happy to come and so sad to leave'. Consultations with parents, monthly, progress reports are highly effective in engaging all parents in their child's care and education. Excellent arrangements have been established to work with other professionals, which means that children with special educational needs and/or a disability can be fully included. Partnerships with other providers where children attend more than one setting are superb. Therefore, children are provided with consistency in both their education and care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children's learning is extensively supported by the childminder, who has a superb understanding of the learning and development requirements. He knows the children extremely well, he is aware of their individual interests and learning styles. They access a fantastic range of adult-lead and first hand experiences that capture their imagination and concentration skills extremely well indeed. Comprehensive written learning journeys show photographs and observations of the children's learning. Electronic tracking systems have been devised to help to monitor the children's development. This provides an accurate account of what children can do and areas where they may need additional support.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout this environment, there is a real 'buzz' of learning. Children are provided with copious opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential and are making excellent progress. They share great relationships with the childminder and are totally at ease in his care. Older children are confident and articulate and love to involve the childminder in their play. Outings, trips and outdoor learning is an integral part of each child's day. They access rich learning experiences across the curriculum. For example, they participate in bike rides in the forest and go on regular visits to the farm. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is further developed by the planting and nurturing of fruit and vegetables. Daily, they help to spray the white cap mushrooms and pick them to use in cooking activities, such as homemade lasagne. Children obtain extensive information about the natural world. They learn about the habitats of giant African land snails, where

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and outcomes for children

ladybirds hibernate and use binoculars to identify birds that they have spotted.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is significantly enhanced. This is achieved because the childminder takes all opportunities to positively praise the children, regardless of how small their achievement may be. For example, he praises very small children for hanging beads on the Christmas tree and older children for identifying the differences between two bears. As a result, children are rapidly developing a strong sense of self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of their own safety is thoroughly enhanced. They know that wearing aluminous high visibility hats and caps help the childminder to keep them safe. Children's health is superbly promoted, as stringent procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children follow effective hygiene practices, as they take increasing responsibility for washing their hands appropriately throughout the day. Children are provided with a great menu of food, which effectively considers their health and nutritional needs. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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