Lawrence, Kelly Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY430284 Inspection date 21/12/2011 Inspector Hilary Tierney

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 has been registered since 2011 and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her partner and two year old child in Cheltenham. The whole of the house is available for childminding. Main care takes place in the sitting room, kitchen and hallway. There is an enclosed rear and side garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years of age, of these, no more than two may be in the early years age group, and of these one may be under one at any one time. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years of age. The childminder currently has a total of three children in the early years age group on roll.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have settled well and are comfortable with the childminder, who has a calm, caring approach towards them and treats them with equal care and concern. Children make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals, although activities are not fully based on children's interests or next steps to maximise their learning. There is a good partnership with parents and daily information is shared between them. The childminder has not fully considered how she will develop links with other early years settings when children attend them. Although the childminder has put into place risk assessments, she has not reviewed these to ensure they identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked. The childminder has completed a basic self-evaluation, and is able to discuss some areas for improvement. She demonstrates a suitable capacity to make ongoing improvements.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the risk assessment identifies all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 04/01/2012

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve systems to identify children's next steps and interests and use these to inform the planning of activities so that children continue to make maximum progress in each area of learning  develop systems to make links with other settings, when children attend them, so practitioners from each setting can regularly share details of children's development and learning records and any other relevant information to ensure continuity and coherence  develop the use of self-evaluation as the basis for ongoing development that will help improve the quality of provision for the children.

p.4

the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are suitable. The childminder has an appropriate awareness of the procedures to follow in the event of having any concerns about children in her care. She keeps detailed records of any accidents children may have, any medication that is administered to children and any injuries that children may arrive with. Fire drills have been regularly practised with the children. Risk assessments are recorded and cover most areas of the setting both inside and outside and any outings that children are taken on. Gates are used on the kitchen and stairs to prevent unsupervised access to these areas. However, the childminder has not fully recognised that children could be at risk from the recently cracked glass in the back door of the kitchen. This has not been included on the risk assessment to show when and by whom it has been checked. This is a breach of a legal requirement.

p.5

the early years provision

Resources are easily accessible and children are able to select most of the toys for themselves. The childminder promotes equality and diversity satisfactorily and outings around the local area develop children's awareness of the world around them. There is a good partnership with parents. Parents and the childminder share regular information between them both in daily diaries and verbally. Parents are well informed about the care and activities the childminder provides. All written policies and procedures are easily accessible to them. The childminder ensures a settling-in process is used for the children before parents leave them. This helps to ensure that all necessary information is shared and consistency is discussed between the parents and childminder. All necessary written parental permissions are in place. There are no children attending other early years settings at present. The childminder has not fully considered how she will link with them when children

p.5

the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration. She has completed a basic self-evaluation and is able to discuss areas she would like to improve. These include extra training and the development of her paperwork. The childminder is working hard to provide a caring environment where children feel safe and secure. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and comfortable in their surroundings. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure as they enjoy their time with the childminder and are relaxed in the home. Younger children are regularly offered and request cuddles and reassurance from the childminder. All children have a sense of belonging. Children are able to access resources easily and make choices for themselves. Children enjoy creative activities and have good levels of concentration. Children enjoy sticking activities and making their own design of cards. They share and interact well with each other. The childminder only helps the children when necessary and allows them to do their own work. Children have access to books and enjoy looking at them alone or together with the childminder. Children enjoy listening to music. They play the musical toys and dance to the sounds. Children are active learners, eager to learn and enjoy themselves at the

p.6

and outcomes for children

childminder's home. Children progress towards the early learning goals adequately in the setting, and have access to activities that help them develop suitable skills for their future lives. However, the childminder is not fully identifying children's next steps and interests and linking these to the planning of activities to help fully meet children's individual needs.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a calm, caring approach towards the children and has suitable behaviour management strategies in place. She promotes good behaviour by the use of positive language and plenty of praise and encouragement. Children respond well to the childminder. The younger children are beginning to learn to share, take turns and work together as they play. For example, children enjoy playing with cars and puzzles. They share them well and take turns riding on the cars. The childminder encourages children's language skills through constantly speaking to them and responding to them when they vocalise to her.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy personal hygiene and lifestyles. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks. Paper hand towels are used to help prevent the spread of infections. Children enjoy eating healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. Children's dietary needs are acknowledged and catered for. Children enjoy regular outings around the community and have regular access to an enclosed garden space where they can explore and develop their physical skills. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8