Richmond, Victoria Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264648 Inspection date 04/11/2011 Inspector Sarah Quinn

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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 2004. She lives with her sons in a detached house in Clayton-le-Woods in Leyland. The whole of the ground floor, and the bathroom and two small bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range and no more than two may be under one year old. She currently has six children in the early years age range on roll. She has five between the ages of five and eight years and one who is over eight years attending. She is registered on the Early Years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. All children attend at various times on a full or part-time basis across the week and during school holidays. The childminder collects children from the local schools and takes children to play groups, the local parks, library, shops and activity centres. The family has a pet cat.

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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

The childminder demonstrates an outstanding knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is committed to the principles, which underpin the framework and as a result, she meets children's individual needs to a high standard. The system for assessing children's progress contains very accurate levels of information. The childminder has established very positive relationships with parents and also liaises very effectively with other early years agencies and providers, in order to successfully support the children in her care. The childminder is very proactive in maintaining continuous improvement through thorough assessment of strengths and weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to develop further the systems for observation, assessment and planning to maintain the outstanding progress of children.

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the early years provision

Robust systems are in place to safeguard the children in the childminder's care. She has implemented comprehensive written risk assessments for her home, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings and for different eventualities. She places a high emphasis on health and safety and regularly reviews her environment to ensure it continues to meet children's needs. She provides excellent levels of supervision to children both in the home and when outdoors. Systems are used very effectively to maintain children's safety and security at all times. Written records show that the childminder has considered children's patterns of attendance and how she can support them effectively. As a result, children are significantly increasing their awareness of potential hazards and how best to manage situations. The childminder is highly successful in positively promoting children's welfare. She knows children very well

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the early years provision

and ensures that their individual needs, preferences and abilities are identified, respected and met. Visitors to the premises are monitored closely at all times. The childminder has completed a wide range of training including safeguarding and demonstrates confidence in her knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and an ability to identify, record and report any concerns.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is welcoming, comfortable and child centred. The childminder is very well organised and provides a safe, secure and enabling indoor and outdoor environment. Children are able to move freely to access their favourite toys from a wide selection, which are kept in low storage units. Children also benefit from an outstanding range of resources to promote a positive awareness and respect of people's differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established very positive and productive relationships with parents. Excellent systems are in place to share information very regularly, which ensures that children's individual needs are met well. Parents provide letters stating their satisfaction at the outstanding quality care provided by this experienced and well qualified childminder. Some children also attend the local pre-school and school and the childminder liaises effectively with both, in order to maintain continuity of care and cohesive learning experiences for children attending another early years setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows children individually and she knows what they need to support their learning and development. As a result, for example, younger children who have not yet fully developed their language skills are fully included, as they are able to express their specific needs and communicate freely with others. The childminder uses outstanding systems for the assessment of children's progress. Individual 'Learning Journeys' contain examples of children's work, written observations and photographs. These are shared with parents in order to celebrate children's achievements. Records show that children are making rapid progress towards the early learning goals. This is an area she is continually working to develop and improve. The childminder demonstrates an outstanding level of commitment to maintaining continuous improvement in her practice and attends regular relevant early years training courses. Through use of a highly effective

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the early years provision

system for self-evaluation, she has successfully monitored and evaluated her practice, in order to identify outstanding areas in which to drive future improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Highly effective routines ensure that all children's welfare needs are met and forward planning provides outstanding opportunities for children to be sufficiently challenged in order to achieve. The childminder supervises children closely and provides high levels of support and encouragement at all times. Children enjoy the active involvement of the childminder in their self-chosen play activity. Her positive interaction enhances their enjoyment and increases opportunities for learning, as she subtly introduces new vocabulary.

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and outcomes for children

Children have formed strong and trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. As a result, they are very happy, settled, and confident. They demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence. Children's work is attractively displayed, for example, the autumn tree, hand print spiders and foot print ghosts, for all to value and admire. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for tidying away after themselves and for making decisions about what activity they should do next. As a result, children have an excellent sense of belonging and self-worth.

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and outcomes for children

Children communicate very well through their competent use of their rapidly developing language skills and the childminder is very attentive and verbally responsive in return. Children greatly enjoy free use of an outstanding selection of books, for both personal enjoyment and for group story time. Children enjoy using small world people to act out imaginative play with the characters, roads and cars.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy snacks and the childminder's menu is very healthy. Children follow the outstanding examples set by the childminder and are polite, kind and helpful. They demonstrate outstanding social skills and are well mannered. Children benefit from very regular opportunities to explore and investigate the outdoors, during walks, visits to the local places of interest, the park, duck pond and local activity groups. They are developing a strong awareness of their local community, of local wildlife and of the range of people in the community and their role within it. Overall, there is evidence that children are making outstanding levels of progress in their learning and development. 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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