Sweetman, Nicola

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434292 Inspection date 10/04/2012 Inspector Patricia Champion

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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 child aged six years. They live in a house in a residential area in Rochford, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding. Access is via a low step into the front door. There is a fully-enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the early years age range, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. Overall, they make effective progress as they take part in interesting and rewarding activities. The childminder offers an inclusive service recognising and valuing each child's individuality. All the essential documentation to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and is mainly well maintained. The childminder is extremely motivated and demonstrates an excellent commitment to developing her practice in order to promote outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the two-way flow of information with parents, this specifically relates to providing parents with policies and procedures that reflect current practice analyse and review the observation, assessment and planning cycle more consistently to ensure that there are no gaps in learning.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is expertly safeguarded due to the extremely effective systems in place to protect them. The childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and she has attended relevant training and is highly experienced. She uses robust risk assessments for within the house, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside spaces and outings to ensure risks and hazards are fully identified and minimised. Any adults in contact with children have undergone relevant vetting and checking procedures to ensure that they are suitable. High emphasis is placed on maintaining a hygienic and safe environment. All regulatory documentation, including records of accidents, attendance and children's details, is systematically completed, confidentially recorded and kept secure.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes efficient use of her time and home to ensure that the children's care and learning needs are prioritised. Her fully inclusive approach and attitude means that children are very relaxed in this warm and welcoming family orientated home. Children's personal independence is positively promoted through enabling them to confidently self-select from the wide range of resources and play provision on offer. They also have access to a good range of play materials that enable them to develop a positive view of equality and diversity within society and to value and respect their own and other's cultures.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes effective relationships and promotes good communication with the children's parents. A well-presented portfolio, informative website, notice boards, newsletters and daily communication books all keep parents informed about their children's achievements, well-being and development. However, there is potential for misunderstanding as some of the policies and procedures shared with parents have not been updated to reflect current practice. Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder and the support their children receive. They are impressed by how happy, settled and comfortable their children are and say that they would be 'lost without her'. Strong partnerships are also fostered with other childminders and the local children's centre. The childminder is endeavouring to extend these partnerships where the response from other settings is not as yet wholly reciprocated.

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the early years provision

Children really benefit from the care of a qualified nursery nurse who has also attended all the mandatory childminding training. Although the childminder has only been minding for a relatively short time, she constantly uses a variety of methods to evaluate her practice. She attends as many training events as she can to develop her skills and confidence and is also working towards becoming accredited to take funding for early education. The childminder incorporates the views of parents and children in the evaluation process to ensure that her practice continues to focus on children's welfare, learning and development. Her enthusiasm and insight means that she continually identifies areas for improvement, many of which have been successfully implemented.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in their play and the childminder supports learning well. For example, she asks effective questions as they play, and introduces them to new and interesting resources. This helps children to think and respond, developing their communication and language skills. Children are delighted with the close attention they receive from the childminder because she provides continual attention and encouragement. Babies understand that their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 efforts are valued when they see the childminder clap to reward an achievement and they then join in. Songs, stories and picture books are also used well to promote vocabulary and children also learn to sign and take part in action rhymes. Children are developing a very good understanding of acceptable behaviour. This is due to the childminder's praise for positive behaviour towards others. She acts as a

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and outcomes for children

very positive and calm role model, using good manners, which are returned by the children through hugs and smiles.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making successful progress as the childminder has developed efficient methods of recording and sharing her observations with parents. Plenty of information is gathered from parents right from the start to ensure that the childminder can effectively plan for children's initial learning experiences. The childminder then completes a baseline assessment within the first few weeks of children settling, to demonstrate the stages of development each child is at. This is followed by individual learning plans at regular intervals. The childminder fully understands that all six areas of learning and development are connected to one another and are equally important. However, children may not achieve as much as they can as she is not yet consistently analysing the observation, assessment and planning cycle to ensure that all areas are routinely covered and there are no gaps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an extremely safe, secure environment where the high standards of cleanliness minimise the risk of infection. The childminder establishes excellent personal hygiene practices and children learn the reasons for them. They know not to share hand towels as the childminder provides a supply of individual towels which are used once and then discarded to prevent any transfer of residual germs. Their awareness is further enhanced as they sing along to a special song and view posters that highlight the rules to good hand washing through words and pictures. Nutritious meals and healthy snacks are provided in full consultation with parents to ensure that individual dietary needs are well supported. Very comfortable sleeping arrangements ensure that young children can rest peacefully and undisturbed.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wealth of opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the garden or on visits to local parks. Special charity events are also used well to promote active and energetic play. For example, children take part in interesting physical challenges when taking part in fundraising activities for charities. Children gain an excellent understanding about their personal safety as they follow sensible road safety routines or take part in regular evacuation procedures. Older children are routinely invited to take part in the risk assessments so that they learn about potential dangers and the consequences of their actions. Through the warm care offered by the childminder children develop independence skills which will support and promote their learning in the future. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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