Kirby, Nicola Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434177 Inspection date 09/05/2012 Inspector Caroline Stott

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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 registered in 2011 and lives with her family in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the premises.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range, and of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently five children attending within this age group. The provision includes before and after school care. Children are taken to and collected from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder has provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She uses local amenities, such as, parks and play centres when planning her activities. The family have a pet cat. 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's awareness and attentiveness is given high priority from the childminder who make them feel very welcome and secure, enabling them to settle well. The childminder uses observations and resources to support the children to make some progress in the six areas of learning of the Statutory Framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Observation and planning has yet to fully embrace children's starting points and their individual next steps of development, their interests and abilities, to extend children's learning and show developmental progress. Partnerships with parents are good and the childminder engages with them to encourage feedback about their children's interest and achievements. She is forming links with other providers and uses local amenities for the benefit of the children. The system for self-evaluating the provision ensures that the childminder identifies areas to improve and build upon.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance children's learning with their individual starting points brought from home  review and improve assessment systems to plan the next steps in children's developmental progress and use this information to inform future planning  provide resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment because the childminder informs parents of her safeguarding responsibilities. She holds initial meetings and gives them copies of her policies and procedures. These clearly written policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's safety is effectively safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has completed safeguarding and paediatric emergency first aid training. This means she is knowledgeable about local safeguarding policies and is safe and suitable to work with young children. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder and her family are appropriately vetted. Risk assessments are in place ensuring all areas including the garden, car and outings are safe and suitable. This ensures children are kept safe at all times. This, combined with close supervision, minimises any potential risks to children. Records and consents from parents are

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the early years provision

fully in place. The required documents and a fire procedure are in place. Fire equipment is accessible and fire drills are completed regularly to further promote children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely in partnership with parents to ensure the care given to the children is consistent and appropriate. The childminder shares information verbally, through e-mails and also through a daily diary, which supports children's individual needs, for example, their meals, activities and sleep patterns. This ensures parents are well informed about how their child has spent their day. She is clear about children's individual needs and their stages of development and provides well for this. However, children's individual starting points gathered from parents to aid children's experiences and their individual development are not presently sought. Valuable information about the provision is provided for parents to read, such as, her training and policies. She gains opinions from parents through a shared book and their comments are positive on how their children are well supported and cared for. The childminder is developing links with other

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the early years provision

settings to support children's transitions, as they begin to attend more provisions, improving children's continuity of learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is planned and accessible to support children in becoming independent and provides a good space to play. Children move freely and safely around the large downstairs area. They have free access to a wide varied range of play resources and learning materials, which are in good condition and appropriate to children's ages and stages of development. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy in place. This means that the individual needs of the children are mostly met and included. They go out and about in the local community visiting the local park and shops. They attend local toddler groups, to aid children's socialising skills. This is regarded highly by children, their feedback both verbally and written down for them, praises the play and activities accomplished. However, there are limited opportunities for children to explore differences within other cultures and beliefs, gender and disabilities. House rules are established with the

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the early years provision

children and their views are sought to value their interests and decisions. The childminder reflects on her practice and is evaluating her provision enabling her to identify her strengths and areas for development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They are curious and interested when engaged with the play resources available. Children are making progress in their play and learning, as demonstrated within observations and photographs. These stimulate children's interest and display their abilities making them feel valued. Photographs exhibit how children enjoy baking, dancing, adventures on foot, biscuit making, a teddy bears picnic and making spinners. Photographic evidence shows them busy mixing the ingredients and using a range of utensils to bake. Great excitement is displayed as children describe how they make the spinners move, through winding and pulling. Good health and well-being is encouraged as the childminder promotes children's awareness of hand wiping before and after meals. A healthy snack of chopped up apple is enjoyed by the children. The childminder takes appropriate steps to prevent the spread of

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and outcomes for children

infection through wiping down surfaces with an appropriate spray and kitchen towels. Children are encouraged to use good manners within all activities. Photographs display how children's physical development is endorsed through walking to areas of interest, such as looking for ladybirds. This knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted further as the childminder stimulates looking for trees. The garden offers an attractive area with plenty of seating and a small mini greenhouse offers the opportunity to grow vegetables and sunflowers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an understanding of the Statutory Framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She plans an acceptable range of activities, some of which are based on children's individual needs and interests. The childminder observes children regularly and links these observations to the six areas of development. However, as yet these are not being used fully to help with planning the next steps in children's learning and development to ensure they continue to progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication, language and listening skills are encouraged as the childminder talks and listens to them continually. She aids the baby's responses by forming vocal sounds and non-verbal contact, always gaining their reassurance that she is close by. The childminder stimulates letter sounds and assist children to write names and short words. Mark-making is explored further by younger children using paper and pencils, who delight in making specific marks, for all to view, learning early writing skills. Children sing rhymes naturally during their play, fostering their creative development and language skills. Mathematical development is inspired as children count candles for a cake and use the clock, for recognition of the time to go to nursery. This mathematical language is encouraged further as the childminder discusses big and little, within the role-play of the birthday cake.

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and outcomes for children

Personal, social and emotional development is supported as children use a blanket to create a cloak, this encourages their imaginative play. Children become excited and motivated as they become a birthday cake, and then wear it as a dress, which develops into a ghost, before all shelter under it. This promotes kisses and cuddles This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from all to all, this acknowledgement leads to children gaining confidence and secures attachments. Photographs of all the children are displayed on the wall with their names, this inspires children to discuss each other, pointing and saying where the other children are. This gains them a sense of belonging and supports early friendships and advocates close relationships. Children behave really well in the setting because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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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