Hunt Susan Yvonne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 209892 Inspection date 14/09/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two older children in Staffordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are in the early years age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local toddler group and is able to take and collect children from the local school.

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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 have formed positive relationships with the childminder and her family. There are a variety of age-appropriate toys and resources to help children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder appreciates each child's individuality and ensures that no one is disadvantaged. Policies and procedures are mostly effective and documentation is stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is committed to developing and improving the quality of her service through ongoing training.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. She is fully aware that children should never be left unsupervised with any unvetted person, and all members of her family have been suitably checked to ensure children's safety is fully protected. There are clear procedures to ensure children are collected by authorised people, and if necessary a password would be used for extra security. The implementation of a complaints procedure ensures parents are fully aware of the procedure to follow should they have a concern about the care or service provided. The childminder ensures children are safe and secure inside and outside the home and regularly carries out This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 written and visual risk assessments to identify any hazards. Thorough procedures

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the early years provision

are in place to ensure children are safe when on outings. The childminder takes appropriate information with her, including children's details and parents' contact numbers in the case of an accident or emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has attended several workshops and training courses to update her knowledge and skills. She has a clear sense of purpose and has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help monitor and identify the setting's strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder's daily routine is flexible to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children use a range of toys and resources that are safe and of good quality. These support enjoyable activities and help ensure children remain interested and have fun. Children are able to make choices about their play. This ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has formed positive relationships with parents and works in close partnership to ensure children are cared for in accordance with their wishes. Parents are provided with clear information about the service provided and their children's progress. The childminder takes time to gather information relating to the children's individual needs and preferences before they start to attend; this ensures that she is able to meet their individual needs. Children are valued as individuals and they have access to a range of resources which acknowledge cultural differences and diversity. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals and has formed effective links with the local schools, pre-school and other early years practitioners to ensure children's individual needs are well met. Documentation is well organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is effectively maintained.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and are fully at ease with the childminder. Children benefit from an environment which is organised to enable them to make choices about their play and develop their independence. Individual boxes of toys are placed at low level in the living room and arranged so that children can develop their independent skills and have fun. The childminder's knowledge of each child's personal preferences ensures that children's interests are well met. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well. She observes them as they play and records what they can do. However, the information gained from these observations is not sufficiently used to help plan the next steps in each child's learning. Photographic evidence of activities that the children have undertaken are attractively presented in individual folders and shared with parents on a regular basis. The childminder helps children to feel good about themselves

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and outcomes for children

by frequently providing support, praise and encouragement, while managing their behaviour well. Children are encouraged to use their manners and help to tidy away the toys. Positive behaviour is rewarded with lots of smiles, praise and hugs. This helps to build children's self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their skills in the use of programmable and electronic toys, and a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 megaphone causes great excitement as they use it to speak to the childminder and other members of her family. Push-along cars create lots of fun and laughter as the children manoeuvre them around the available space. Their communication, language and literacy skills are well supported as they are provided with plenty of opportunities to look at books and develop their simple writing skills. Children enjoy joining in role play and dressing up, and regularly participate in activities including painting, collage and cooking. Children explore a range of living things, from watering plants to feeding the ducks at the local park. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to be active. For example, they make good use of the well-equipped garden where they use sit-and-ride toys, push-alongs and toys and

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and outcomes for children

equipment to help develop their imagination. Children also benefit from a range of outings and activities outside the home. They go for walks to the park and visit the toddler group and soft play centres, where they can socialise with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They know the procedure for evacuation in and emergency because the childminder regularly practises this with them. Children are well cared for if they have an accident and effective procedures are in place to protect them from illness and infection. Through daily routines, children begin to develop good hygiene practices. They are reminded to wash their hands before eating and know to dispose of tissues appropriately after use. Children's individual dietary needs are established on admission and are fully supported by the childminder. Meals are freshly prepared and sample menus are produced to give parents information about meal choices, although some parents prefer to provide the food for their children, which the childminder ensures is stored appropriately. Fresh drinks are available at all times for children to independently access.

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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 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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