Downs, Jane Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318299 Inspection date 20/02/2012 Inspector Jane Shaw

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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 1993 and lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 15 in Sale, Cheshire. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are taken to and collected from local pre-schools. The childminder holds an NVQ level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development and is supported by the local authority early years team.

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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 knows each child's individual needs, preferences and abilities extremely well and is able to very successfully promote their care, learning and development. All children are respected as individuals and are cared for within a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment. Overall, required records and documents, policies and procedures are in place and well maintained. This ensures the excellent safety and welfare of children. Overall, positive partnerships with parents and carers and other early years professionals support children's care, learning and development effectively. The childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to improve, through self-evaluation and reflection and commitment to training and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further existing systems in order to track children's progress across the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected as a result of the childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to be followed in the event of any concerns. Good safeguarding policies and procedures are in place. Parents and carers are asked to read the childminder's safeguarding policies and sign to say they have done so, thereby ensuring that they are fully aware of her role in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protecting their children from harm.

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the early years provision

The childminder conducts visual safety checks of all areas used prior to children's arrival. Premises are fully secure and promote children's excellent safety and welfare at all times. Thorough risk assessments, for the premises and for all outings, are completed fully and regularly reviewed. Regular fire drills ensure children's prompt responses. The childminder checks smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis ensuring children's excellent health and safety. Children are developing an understanding of their own safety, for example, as they learn about road safety and 'stranger-danger'. Required records and documentation are well maintained in order to ensure the safe and efficient management of the service.

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the early years provision

The successful completion of recommendations raised at the last inspection, self- evaluation and completion of a formal childcare qualification, training and development demonstrates the childminder's good commitment to continuous improvement. A good range of resources and activities, including indoor and outdoor play, and activities away from the childminding setting are effective in providing children with an environment which supports their care learning and development effectively. The childminder creates an inclusive environment where all children have equal access to the activities, opportunities resources and experiences available.

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the early years provision

Positive partnerships with parents and carers promote and support children's placements. They have access to information about the childminding service, policies and procedures and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Daily verbal feedback informs parents and carers of their child's minded day. They are asked to contribute to observations of their child development through regular feedback forms. Excellent partnerships with other early years providers have been established. These relationships contribute significantly to the children's continuity of care and curriculum.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows each child's individual needs and abilities extremely well. As a result, children are content, settled and very happy and warm relationships with the childminder are very clearly evident. The childminder has developed an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. This, coupled with her knowledge of individual children's abilities, results in children making excellent progress.

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and outcomes for children

Planning is mainly informal and based around children's interests, or the childminder's observations of their development, but does not always show how this links to the next steps. Focussed and spontaneous observations of children's development are completed, matched to the areas of learning and used to plan children's next steps. The tracking of children's progress across the six areas of learning is an area for development. Each child has a developmental folder, containing observations linked to the areas of learning and examples of their work. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder completes six monthly summaries of progress and meets with parents and carers to discuss.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and content; they independently select resources from the range available. Children's good behaviour is promoted through praise and reward, being encouraged to share and take turns with resources and to develop an understanding and respect of others. Children show concentration and perseverance at activities, for example, as children complete jigsaws and use implements in playdough. A variety of opportunities to make marks are available and early language skills are developing extremely well, for example, as the childminder and minded children engage in conversation. Children have access to a variety of age-appropriate books and visit the local library regularly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to match and sort using a variety of resources. The childminder uses mathematical language as she talks with children and they enjoy various activities to promote their understanding of number. For example, by having the number of the week and then looking for this number in their environment. Children are able to randomly recognise numbers from 1 to 10 very successfully.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy outdoor play, for example, climbing and balancing, regular walks in the local environment and trips to the park where they play ball. Children develop fine motor skills, for example, as they enjoy construction and as they use a variety of tools within playdough.

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and outcomes for children

A range of craft activities develops their imaginative and creative abilities, for example, as they dress up, sing and use musical instruments. Children have an understanding of their own environment and the wider world as they celebrate festivals, such as, Chinese New Year and consider others through themes and discussion. For example, they look at houses and what food is grown in other countries; the use of resources matches the age and level of understanding of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles through routines and practices, for example, regular opportunities for outdoor play and walks. They also learn about keeping themselves healthy through healthy eating and learning about which foods are healthy, plus access to drinking water. They also learn about the importance of good hygiene routines, such as when to wash their hands and they are encouraged to clean their teeth after meals. Children's behaviour is very good, promoted through excellent role modelling and a positive behaviour management policy. Access to different activities and opportunities, discussion and support from the childminder supports children's skills for the future extremely well. 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 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 2

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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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