Shield-Walmsley, Abigail Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 510903 Inspection date 01/05/2012 Inspector Jill Steer

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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 2000. She lives with her partner and two teenage children in Richmond, Surrrey, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder's home is a three-storey apartment above a shop; only the lower floor is used for childminding. She has a cat as a pet.

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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. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 children's safety and care needs are well promoted in a child-friendly environment. They are supported well to make good developmental progress in most areas, considering their age and starting points. Partnerships with parents and other providers are supportive and information is mostly shared about children's care and development. The childminder reflects on her practice, demonstrating her sustainability and capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop partnership working between all the settings the children attend to provide them with the best learning opportunities  organise play and learning experiences based on children's individual interests and needs.

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the early years provision

A policy is in place which informs parents of how the childminder will safeguard their children. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs that indicate children may be at risk of harm. Regular and thorough risk assessments are completed of the premises and all the venues to which children are taken on visits, to identify and minimise any potential hazards. Clear records are kept of all these safety checks and procedures, as well as for children's accidents, attendance and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 medication. Sensible guidance is given to children to keep them safe while they learn about keeping themselves and each other safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is organised so that children have sufficient space to play and can easily access the suitable range of toys and resources. As a result, children are able to make independent choices in their play and learning which develops their confidence. Resources are rotated regularly so there are always new interests and challenges. Some resources raise children's awareness of the differences in people of the world. For example, there are books with images of people with different skin tones and small world figures of people in wheelchairs and an expectant mother. The childminder is aware of each child's individuality and supports any additional care needs they may have. She is aware of the need to cooperate with other professionals to support children's development. The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses through evaluating her practice. She has completed all the actions raised at previous inspections to

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the early years provision

significantly improve and sustain her good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built good relationships with the parents and shares information on a daily basis about the children's welfare and development. She regularly takes photographs of the children playing and sends them to the parents at work, keeping up a text messaging dialogue. She makes sure she has all the information she needs to care for each child as an individual and offer all the support they may need. The childminder has discussions with the parents about how their children are in other settings they also attend. However, she does not develop partnerships directly with the other providers to support continuity in children's learning and developmental progress. Through the well-planned topics and open discussions, the childminder raises children's awareness of the diverse society in which they live. She provides positive images and resources, and has discussions with the children to raise their awareness of differences. Therefore,

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the early years provision

from an early age the children demonstrate tolerance and understanding of others. All the required information is obtained from parents so the childminder knows about the children's individual needs and routines. Consequently appropriate care is given in keeping with the parents' wishes and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear happy and settled which demonstrates how safe they feel with the childminder. They have quickly developed friendly relationships with her as she plays along with their games. The childminder guides and encourages children to maintain their interest and engagement in the activities, for example, as they sit cross-legged on the floor together to play a face matching game. Children select a face card and look at all the others to find a match; the childminder suggests ways to help such as looking for another one wearing a black hat. This builds children's confidence and enables them to achieve the task, resulting in delighted responses and the children offering help to the childminder to find hers. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 plans what the children will do each day based upon monthly topics such as flowers, safety and insects. She prepares outings and activities linked to the topics.

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and outcomes for children

For example, they may go to the green to look at the flowers there. The childminder is happy to change these arrangements if children prefer not to do what was planned. However, the topics and activities are not securely based on what children like or are interested in. The childminder observes and records children's developmental milestones in individual learning journeys linked to the six areas of learning. The next steps are then identified and used effectively to contribute to the planning, so that suitable activities are provided which reinforce and extend their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children greatly enjoy looking at familiar books as they sit in a cosy chair with the childminder. They point out things they notice in the pictures and identify letters in the text they recognise. The childminder offers constant praise to encourage the children. Children routinely count as they play and the childminder supports their understanding of calculating by asking 'how many?' and 'how many more?' The daily outings extend the learning opportunities for children in both physical and health benefits. They enjoy fresh air and exercise as they walk to many local venues, learning about the immediate community and looking at the environment. They discuss keeping themselves safe when they are on outings and when they are indoors. The childminder provides snacks of fresh fruit and drinking water, eating the same herself so children see a good role model for healthy eating. They practise good hygiene habits such as washing their hands after toileting or

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and outcomes for children

sneezing and before eating. The childminder's positive behaviour management strategies means children are acknowledged and praised for their efforts and respected as individuals. For example, the childminder offers praise to acknowledge their contribution and as a result, children acquire a positive disposition to learning. Resources and topics raise children's awareness that everyone is different and that there are many different people in the wider world. 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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