Alexander, Rachel Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430268 Inspection date 18/01/2012 Inspector Tara Street

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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 three children aged 17 months, eight and 13 years in the Kilnhurst area of Rotherham. Premises are accessible via a small step to the front door. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and two rabbits. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children under eight years, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group and receives support from the local authority.

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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 provides a calm, comfortable and inclusive environment where children are happy and confident. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals because they enjoy a range of activities and resources which cover most areas of learning. Records, policies and procedures are implemented effectively to safeguard and promote children's welfare. Good relationships have been formed with parents and carers to ensure children's individual needs and routines are met. The childminder has effective systems in place to evaluate the quality of the provision and is committed to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further ways to involve parents and carers as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  develop further resources to promote children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs  extend opportunities for children to learn about the food chain and planting, growing, gathering, preparing and using different foods. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded because the childminder has implemented a written policy and procedure, which she shares with all parents and carers. She is fully aware of the safeguarding procedures to follow if she has any cause for concern regarding the welfare of the children in her care. Accurate documentation helps to protect the welfare of the children, meets all requirements and is stored appropriately to respect confidentiality. The childminder ensures that all adults coming into contact with children are suitably vetted. There are detailed risk assessments recorded for both the indoor and outdoor environment, as well as for planned outings, which minimise the potential hazards to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised and maintained to meet children's individual needs. Areas and resources are organised effectively to promote children's independence and develop active learning. The childminder promotes an enabling, inclusive environment where all children are respected and valued. She attends a good range of training to develop her knowledge and skills. This enables her to drive improvement, while promoting outcomes for children. She evaluates the quality of her provision and has clearly identified her areas of strength and those areas for further development.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are effective. The childminder shares her policies and procedures and exchanges daily information about what the children have been doing and the care they receive. However, systems to involve parents and carers more fully as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process are not as well developed. The childminder has formed good links with other early years professionals to ensure that children's care and learning needs are effectively planned for.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's planning, assessments and interactions with children demonstrate that she has a good knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although assessment systems are in their infancy, they demonstrate the progress that children are making towards the early learning goals, and these are linked to the six areas of learning. Starting points are clearly identified with parents when children start attending, which forms a baseline to identify appropriate next steps in learning for individual children. The childminder knows children well and has a good understanding of their capabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy within the childminder's care and young children have well-established routines. As a result, children's behaviour is good and they interact well with each other. Children's communication skills are fostered well, resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy access to a good range of books and the childminder uses these well to support their learning. For example, she supports young children to touch the different-textured animals while naming them. A good variety of creative activities are provided. Young children enjoy exploring treasure baskets filled with mirrors, metal whisks, pastry brushes and pinecones. Older children enjoy opportunities for painting, gluing, sticking and creating collages with a variety of textured materials, which promotes their self-expression while they have fun. A good range of

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and outcomes for children

interactive toys are easily accessible, which gives young children the opportunity to operate simple electronic equipment. For example, the childminder supports young children to wind up a musical toy, which she sings along to while naming the different animals and making the appropriate sounds. Children have many opportunities to count and solve problems as they build, play threading and board games, and complete jigsaw puzzles. As a result, they develop skills for the future effectively. The childminder has some resources to promote children's awareness of others, such as books and small world people. However, these are limited and do not fully promote children's understanding of other people's cultures or beliefs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks. The childminder provides a good range of healthy snacks and meals, and drinks are available at all times, helping to keep children hydrated. Children enjoy walking in the local environment and have regular access to the childminder's garden and local park, enabling them to engage in a range of physical activities as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, opportunities for children to learn about the food chain and planting, growing, gathering, preparing and using different foods are not as well developed. Children take part in regular fire evacuation drills, developing their awareness of safety procedures. 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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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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