Holden, Nicole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437929 Inspection date 01/05/2012 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 has been registered since 2011. She lives with her partner and three children aged seven, five and three years. They live in Newton area of Preston, Lancashire which is within walking distance of local amenities, such as school, parks and community centre.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is available to use for childminding purposes. There is a bathroom on the first floor and the children's bedrooms are used as additional space for the older children. There is a fully enclosed garden area available for outside play. The family have two pet rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years. Currently there are five children on roll, of which three are in the early years age range. The childminder operates five days a week from 7.30am to 6pm, opening all year round except for public holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and member of local childminder network. Advice and support is gained from the local authority.

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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 childminder provides a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. She provides children with a broad range of learning experiences and, as a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are sufficient, although, parents are not fully included in the learning and development of their child. The childminder is enthusiastic in her work and strives to continually improve the provision for children. She has attended some training and is committed to undertake more to further her own skills and knowledge. The childminder vocalises a commitment to ongoing improvement and has effectively implemented systems through the use of self-evaluation to monitor and evaluate her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase involvement with parents in supporting their children's progress so that learning is linked and extended within the home and gather starting points  obtain written parental permission for taking children on outings, and to use private and public transport. 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 is dedicated in her role and demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of protecting children and ensuring their safety. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a suitable understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care. Visitors to the home have their identification checked, children are never left with anyone who is not vetted and the premises are kept secure. A detailed range of written policies and procedures are in place to promote children's health, safety and welfare and parents are provided with copies of this important information. However, she has not obtained consent from parents to take children on outings and to transport them in her vehicle. However, the childminder informs parents on a daily basis of the activities she planned, which involves outings. Detailed risk assessments are in place, along with daily visual checks of all areas and equipment to promote

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the early years provision

children's safety. Opportunities for children to learn about fire safety are provided and the childminder discusses aspects of safety with children to help raise their awareness of keeping themselves safe. Effective steps are taken to promote children's good health and well-being, to prevent the spread of infection and to care for children when they are ill.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and actively seeks training to update and extend her knowledge, she also meets with other childminders in order to share and learn from experiences. The childminder is developing good partnerships with parents. At the start of any placement, they receive written information about the setting, including relevant policies and procedures and are kept up-to-date about their child's care through verbal feedback and daily diaries. The childminder invites parents and children for introductory sessions and gathers relevant information required to meet the children's individual needs, for example, dietary and health requirements. However, the systems to find out about children's starting points in relation to their learning and development are not fully robust. Parents are not actively involved in their child's learning which means they do not consistently contribute to their

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the early years provision

The childminder meets the children's care needs well and organises her time effectively to ensure children benefit from a broad range of play and learning opportunities, both within and outside of the home. Good use of space, equipment and resources helps to ensure children can make independent choices about what toys and activities they want to play with. The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and is committed to providing a fully inclusive service. She has a clear equal opportunities policy and has completed appropriate training in order to help her promote inclusive practice. She incorporates activities that link to increasing the children's awareness of the wider world and engages all children in play, using a range of equipment and toys. The childminder has no children on roll with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she demonstrates a positive attitude towards working closely with parents and other

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the early years provision

agencies to support children's individual needs. The childminder does currently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 care for a child who speaks English as an additional language.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress in their learning and development as the childminder has a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children benefit from individual files which include examples of their work, photographs and observations which are linked to the areas of learning. The childminder has established effective systems to observe and assess children at play and the information gathered is used efficiently to plan for children's next steps in their learning. Children are happy, confident and have lots of fun and enjoyment. They are well supported in their learning and development, as the childminder knows them very well. She skilfully promotes children's well-being and promotes children's active involvement in their own learning. The space is planned so that it has accessible, interesting and stimulating resources available for all children. This enables them to access

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and outcomes for children

resources freely, encouraging independence, choice and decision making. The childminder interacts with the children constantly. Children's language is encouraged through conversation with the childminder, who listens carefully and responds appropriately. For example, she asks children what noise sheep make and the children respond by singing ' Baa baa black sheep'. Children delight in being tickled by the childminder as she reads them a story. Toddlers enjoy vocalising as the childminder initiates conversation and reinforces their attempt to speak. Children enjoy using the good range of books and have fun listening to their favourite stories. They develop their writing and early reading skills well.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to develop their creative skills, for example, they paint pictures, make handprints and make their own creations from junk to make dragons for the Chinese New Year. The childminder provides a wide range of resources to promote their problem-solving skills, such as games and puzzles. Toddlers confidently count to eight and older children are able to compare groups of objects and measure ingredient for baking independently, while the childminder supports younger children to count cake cases, appropriate to their stage of development. A variety of planned trips and outings help children to learn about the world around them, for example, they go on visits to the beach to collect shells, visit the farm. Visits to community groups and social groups allow children to discover new environments and promote highly stimulating experiences. Children express their enjoyment as they make foot prints in the mud and splash in

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and outcomes for children

in the puddles when out on walks. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about the world to support children's awareness of diversity and the wider world. Children are beginning to develop their skills for the future as they use the computer and a range of programmable toys, such as, a camera to take photos of each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children are protected from the spread of infection, medication is administered in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 an appropriate manner and records accurately maintained and shared with parents. All records containing personal information are stored securely, well organised and readily accessible to underpin children's care. Children are beginning to understand the importance of good personal hygiene as they are well supported by the childminder whilst cleaning their hands before eating. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with balanced, healthy meals and snacks and their individual dietary needs are recognised and met. Children explore healthy eating as they have fun playing the 'Greedy Gorilla' game.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very warm and affectionate with the children and they have clearly developed close relationships with her, for example, she provides lots of reassurance and cuddles when they are tired and children's needs are clearly her priority. Children are well supported by the childminder, who has clear house rules in place to help children to begin to learn right from wrong. Children show respect for one another as their social skills develop, enhancing their positive disposition to learning. 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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