Brown, Micheal Andrew

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434781 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Tracey Boland

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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 and one child aged 13 years old. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom and small bedroom is used for childminding. There is direct access to the setting. 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 two dogs and goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. He is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. He is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care and interaction is good. The childminder observes and assesses the children and provides activities and play experiences that meet their individual learning needs. He keeps parents informed about their day and obtains clear information about their needs and routines. Paperwork required for the effective care of the children is in place, including risk assessments, although, those relating to the family's dogs need reviewing. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents. Children have some opportunity to learn about similarities and differences and the wider world. Daily communication takes places with parents about their children. However, systems for self-evaluation are not yet fully implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 lead and encourage a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  improve the range of resources to support children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes to diversity  review risk assessments with specific regard to the safety of the children in the presence of the dogs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming environment for the children and good relationships have been formed between him and the children. The childminder uses the information gained about each child to meet their individual needs on a daily basis. He has a firm understanding of his role with regard to protecting children in his care from abuse and neglect and a written child protection policy is in place and shared with parents. Children's well-being is promoted at times of minor accidents as the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Medicine and accident records are completed and countersigned by parents. Fire evacuation procedures are in place and practised with the children ensuring that they are aware of the procedure to follow in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with written policies and procedures and the childminder shares information about the care he provides. He supports children's learning with a variety of activities and toys that are age-appropriate and suitable for their ability. These are readily available and children are able to make choices and self- select. Children play in a large room where potential risks have been minimised. Written risk assessments are in place and are regularly reviewed and children learn about safety in the home and when out. However, the procedures for ensuring the children's safety with regard to the family's dogs are not secure enough as the dogs can exit the kitchen underneath the stair gate, which poses a potential risk to the children.

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the early years provision

Although, the childminder has no experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, he understands the importance of good communication and cohesive working for the benefit of them. Children have some opportunities to learn about diversity through the celebration of cultural events, enabling them to gain some knowledge of the wider world. However, there are only a few resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. Therefore, children do not gain a broader understanding of society and their community. The childminder has a clear understanding of the need to develop relationships and maintain communication when caring for a child, who attends other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of self-evaluation but the processes for doing this are still in their infancy. Time is spent talking to parents, seeking their views about the care provided, although, the information gained is not used effectively to enable him to look at ways of developing the service provided.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed close relationships with the children he cares for and has a good understanding of their individual needs. He discusses in detail their routines, personal care needs and their development with their parents and plans taking this into account. Observations are completed of the children at play and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they enjoy a wide range of age-appropriate resources and activities that stimulate and challenge their learning. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise through visiting the local park and accessing the garden, which includes bikes, trikes, balls and slides that encourages their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's confidence and self-esteem are encouraged and children are praised for their good behaviour and their achievements. They are learning to take turns and share and the childminder is a positive role model for them. Children are involved in planting and growing fruit and vegetables and have been successful in growing tomatoes and strawberries. They are encouraged to care for the plants, pick them and use the foods in the meals provided. Children enjoy freshly prepared foods each day and are actively involved in cooking activities. At present, they enjoy making rice crispy cakes and all are involved in mixing the ingredients, talking about how the mixture changes. There is fresh drinking water available at all times and their dietary needs and preferences are known and respected.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy role play and have free access to toys that encourage their imagination, for example, playing with the small kitchen and utensils and the play houses. Children of all ages develop their numeracy skills in a variety of ways, for example, counting the bricks when building. They develop an understanding of technology and use programmable toys and equipment, including computers, cameras, keyboards and equipment that enable them to record their own voices and play them back.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn the importance of personal hygiene, washing their hands at appropriate times, such as, after using the bathroom and before snacks and they have individual towels to minimise the spread of infection. Nappy changing routines are appropriate and sensitive to children's needs. They are changed regularly to ensure children's comfort is maintained. 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 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

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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 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 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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