Ford Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY252376 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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 was registered in 2003 and lives with her husband in a residential area of Chorley. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor which includes a lounge, dining room and kitchen. There is an upstairs bathroom and the front bedroom is used for sleeping purposes only. The children also have access to a fully enclosed rear courtyard.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to two children aged between five and 11 years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network. She holds a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

A wonderfully well-developed understanding of individual children's needs makes sure that the childminder can successfully promote their learning and welfare. Children are extremely safe and secure in the childminder's care and enjoy the wide variety of stimulating learning opportunities available to them. Partnerships with parents and other settings are exemplary and all parties play a significant role in the children's progress. Children, as a result, make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Regular self-evaluation and monitoring of the setting ensures priorities for development are identified and addressed.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 expanding on already excellent procedures for using observations and assessments to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for the children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of safeguarding issues and how to respond should she have a concern. Comprehensive written policies are in place to support her practice in implementing all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are safe and secure due to the childminder's stringent attitude to safety precautions. Excellent risk assessments are in place and are used well to minimise risks to children both on and off the premises. Required documentation is all in place and highly organised to allow ease of access should the need arise.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder strives for excellence in all she does and is a reflective practitioner. She is currently nearing completion of the accreditation process and has used this to evaluate and monitor her practice. She has identified and addressed areas for improvement and is always looking for the next areas to develop, attending a wealth of training. As a result the provision goes from strength to strength. Recent involvement in a research project for the local authority has been well used to make changes to her practice and improve outcomes for children.

p.5

the early years provision

Children thrive in the dedicated play area, in which they have access to an exceptionally wide range of easily- accessible resources. Resources are arranged so that every area of learning is available at all times. The childminder uses innovative ideas to extend her resources and also uses resource libraries. Children, for example, take photographs to make menus for the role play cafe. There is an excellent range of resources showing positive images of diversity and children's individual needs are fully acknowledged when planning the play space. Walls are adorned with examples of children's creations, photographs and commercial posters linking to areas of interest. This promotes a sense of belonging.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents enjoy wonderful relationships with the childminder. They feel part of the setting because she includes them in every decision she makes. Daily diaries and learning journeys are regularly shared with parents and their comments are valued. Parents say they feel extremely privileged to have such a caring person to look after their children to such a high standard. Liaisons with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage are highly effective and fully support the children's progress towards the early learning goals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are extremely settled and secure in the childminder's care. She offers them reassurance and there is a calm and industrious atmosphere of mutual respect. Children learn to keep themselves safe through reminders and explanations from the childminder. They help to tidy away the toys after they have been playing with them and learn that too many toys on the floor are hazardous. They enjoy a wide range of nutritious freshly produced, home-cooked meals every day. They are reminded to take on water at regular intervals. Hygiene standards are exceptionally high and children learn the importance of good hygienic practices through washing hands and cleaning their teeth at appropriate times.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are exceptionally well behaved and the childminder employs excellent strategies should there be a disagreement. They respond very well to her requests and receive considerable amounts of praise and encouragement. They self-select This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from a wide range of resources and the childminder gives them lots of choice, including, which side the paint should be placed so that they can reach. They talk together with the childminder about what they are doing and younger children mimic words and utterances of the childminder. There is lots of language on display and plenty of books for them to share or enjoy alone on the sofa. Mark- making is encouraged in all areas of play. Numbers, shapes and weights are brought to life through innovative activities. Children learn through role play cafes, builders' yards, the water tray and outdoor experiences, how to count, share,

p.5

and outcomes for children

weigh and recognise numerals and colours.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Excellent use is made of the small outdoor area. Children learn to look after plants watching their seedlings grow, enjoying the fruits of their labour as they pick the tomatoes, carrots, beans and peas. They are taken to watch the builders at the building site and learn about their local community. The empathy doll and other resources portraying positive imagery are used to very good effect to give children an understanding of respecting others. Children are physically active on a daily basis and take regular walks to the park, playing games and looking at the world around them along the way. They use larger apparatus at the toddler groups and enjoy dancing in the front room. Children dress up and get into role, for example, wearing overalls when building with the sand. They use an exceptionally wide range of media and materials for creating masterpieces, which are either displayed or taken home. This shows that their work is valued.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the individual children's needs, based on close links with all parties involved with their care and learning. She uses all of the gathered information to plan inspiring and challenging activities based on their next steps for learning. Activities are monitored to make sure all areas of learning are being supported and children's development is tracked to show progress and identify areas for further development. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

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