Broad, Jennifer Mary

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437807 Inspection date 29/05/2012 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 two children aged six and eight years in Bengeo, Hertfordshire. The childminder uses the whole of the house for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. The childminder provides care before and after school, all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years, of which, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for nine children on a part-time basis, seven of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has two cats.

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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 has established good working relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are well met. Children make good progress in their learning and development because they are provided with a wide range of learning opportunities. The childminder provides an inclusive environment and generally makes effective use of observational assessment to meet children's individual needs. Most of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. The childminder uses reflective practice and is committed to improving her service for children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 12/06/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observational assessment so that it clearly links to the Early Years Foundation Stage and shows children's progress towards the early learning goals. 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 has a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures, which is underpinned by a clear policy and shared with parents. She understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes to the premises and all adults within the home have undergone checks to ensure their suitability. The childminder supervises the children carefully and ensures that the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Generally, well-organised documentation and good record keeping promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. Risk assessments are carried out to ensure that any hazards to children are minimised. However, these are not documented clearly enough in the record of risk assessment and it is unclear whether hazards have only been identified or action taken to reduce the risk. There are good procedures in place for the safe collection

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the early years provision

of children and for dealing with accidents and illness. All these factors contribute to the childminder safeguarding children effectively.

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the early years provision

Clear written policies and procedures are given to parents, so that they know about the childminding provision. Daily verbal exchanges and an effective two-way daily diary ensures that both the childminder and parents can share information about their child's care. The childminder has good partnerships with parents. Prior to care commencing, she gathers clear detailed information, so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs and can provide a consistency of care. Good settling-in procedures, which are based around children's individual needs, help to support them in the transition between their home and the childminder's house. The childminder makes full use of the library and takes children to story time sessions to promote their language development. She also takes children on outings to other local attractions, such as the wildlife park and toddler groups, which provide children with enriched play and learning

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects and evaluates her practice, identifying various areas for development, in order to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder is aware of linking with other professionals, in order to support individual children and has systems in place to do so.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide an interesting range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. Planned activities are flexible and focus on children's interests. Parents have opportunities to contribute what they know about their child's achievements. Also photographs and observations of children's learning are kept. However, at present, these observations do not link to the Early Years Foundation Stage, which makes it harder to accurately assess children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their early communication and literacy skills as they visit the library for story time and can select their own books from low-level storage. The childminder is aware of each child's favourite book and encourages them to bring some from home too. Young children develop their language, imitating the sounds of animals and cars, as they play with them. They enjoy exploring as they discover how to press the button on the toy to play music and then sit rocking and dancing to the rhythm. Children experiment with mark making, using the large chalks to draw faces on the patio and decorate the tree outside. One child carefully looks at what is in the garden and then transfers what she has seen onto paper, drawing the trampoline and purple flowers. Children create with a variety of different mediums, such as, wallpaper, feathers and materials, exploring textures as they create owl pictures at the 'artist' group, which they attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to be problem solvers as they confidently operate the disposable cameras and the younger ones try to fit small figures into the toy cars and use the shape sorter. The childminder uses everyday opportunities to encourage the children to count, for example, she asks them to count to 10, while they wait for her to go outside. Children are gaining knowledge and understanding of the natural world as they look for bugs on the way back from school and find out what the woodpecker likes to eat, after seeing one in the garden. Children gain knowledge of how plants grow when they help to water the beans in the garden and grow cress from seeds. They show dexterity as they carefully decorate cakes and chop bananas for snack. Young children are becoming independent as they are encouraged to use a fork and spoon to feed themselves. They use a sticker chart for toilet training, which is consistent with the approach used at home. These

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and outcomes for children

simple activities lay the foundations for children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and children are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. Young children demonstrate strong exploratory impulses and explore what is on offer with interest, as they confidently move around to investigate toys and activities. They are beginning to gain an awareness of the world around them as they play with resources that reflect positive images of diversity and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy varied opportunities for exercise. They take the scooter on the school run and are encouraged to walk some of the way. One young child who has just started walking enjoys testing out their skills by standing on the wobbly bridge, going up small ramps and steps and running to kick the ball. Children visit soft play areas and use on the enclosed trampoline, with supervision from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you' and say 'good idea' when the childminder makes a suggestion. Children have a healthy attitude towards food, as the childminder provides nutritious meals and snacks. They are becoming aware of keeping themselves safe as they discuss why the zip needs to be done up on the trampoline and understand why they have to get off the scooter and walk across the road. Regular fire drills are carried out, which means that children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 becoming familiar with the evacuation procedure in an emergency. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a record of risk assessment that show what checks are carried out and when and by whom (Suitability and safety of Premises and Equipment). (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 06/06/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory section of the report (Suitability and safety of Premises and Equipment). 06/06/2012

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