Guest, Susan Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY367557 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 2007. She lives with her adult child in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire. The ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for six children, all of whom are within the early years age range and attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school. She 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled and have formed positive relationships with the childminder. They have access to a variety of good quality toys and resources which help to make good progress in their learning and development. The uniqueness of each child is well recognised and positive partnerships between parents and the local school ensure individual children's needs are well met. Documentation is well organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Current systems for the storage of cleaning substances, self- evaluation and observation and assessment are not fully effective but the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that hazards to children are kept to minimum; this specifically refers to the storage of dangerous cleaning chemicals.(Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 19/03/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further the system for monitoring and evaluating the provision in order to help identify strengths and prioritise development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures. She has devised a clear safeguarding policy that she shares with parents which supports her practice. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or significant events and all adults in the household have been suitably vetted. Children's freedom of choice is well supported because resources are plentiful and a good selection is easily accessible to them. The childminder carries out daily checks and regular risk assessments to enable children to play safely indoors, outdoors and on outings. However, cleaning substances are stored within an unsecure low-level kitchen cupboard, therefore, potentially comprising children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder is caring, patient and dedicated to providing the best possible care for the children and their families. She is an experienced childcare practitioner and has worked within other early years settings. She is committed to continuous improvement and has attended several workshops to update her knowledge and skills including safeguarding and first aid. She also holds a childcare National Vocational Qualification at Level three. The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a sound capacity for improvement. Recommendations raised at her last inspection have been fully addressed and result in improved outcomes for children. However, self-evaluation methods are not yet fully effective in order to help identify strengths and prioritise development that will further develop the quality of the provision for all children. The childminder encourages children to gain a good understanding of people with differences. For example, she plans a

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the early years provision

variety of activities which acknowledge cultural differences and fosters positive links with children's own language, involving parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and has formed good relationships. She regularly talks to them about their children's welfare and development and has a clear system in place to gather information regarding children's care routines and abilities from the onset. Effective settling-in arrangements ensure children are happy to be left with a trusted adult. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children, and has formed strong links with the local school and nursery that some of the children also attend. This helps provide consistency of care for children. The childminder is methodical in her approach to paperwork and as result, children's records and documentation are organised well and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in the childminder's care and the homely and welcoming environment that she provides helps children to settle and feel at ease. The childminder's knowledge of each child's preferences ensures that their individual needs and are met well. She promptly acknowledges children's good behaviour, effort and achievement and is very attentive towards their needs. The childminder ensures that children learn to show consideration for others, to share and to be kind to each other. She encourages children to always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well and takes positive steps to find out what interests each child, how much they know and can do. She regularly observes the children as they play. However, the information gained from the observations is not sufficiently used to ensure children make further progress

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and outcomes for children

towards their next step in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have formed positive relationships with the childminder and are relaxed and settled. This enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children are keen to join in the activities. For example, they enjoy using crayons to make marks and colouring in pictures of lambs. They regularly participate in craft activities, such as, sticking cotton wool to pictures of sheep. Children develop their simple problem solving skills as they join in simple games with the childminder. For example, counting up to three as the childminder gently pulls them up off the floor. They use bricks to build with and lace cards to practise their threading skills. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to develop their imaginative skills through a range of dressing up props and planned activities, such as painting, cooking, play dough and collage. Children have access

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and outcomes for children

to a variety of books to help develop their early reading skills and visits to the local library encourage their love of books. Children also benefit from a variety of activities outside the childminder's home. They frequently go for walks around the local community, to school and attend the local soft play centre where they are provided with plenty of opportunities to socialise with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping themselves safe through the discussions and activities provided. They regularly join in fire evacuation practices to ensure that they know what to do in an emergency. Through effective daily routines children become aware of good hygiene practices and healthy eating. Food provided by parents is stored appropriately and children's individual dietary needs are established on admission. Children are appropriately cared for if they have an accident and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access to the garden on a regular basis where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health. 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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