Laura Marie McIlwaine

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23/07/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children make good progress because the childminder understands how they develop and learn. She provides children with a wide range of resources and experiences that interest and engage them.  The childminder is friendly and caring, and has developed effective two-way communication with parents. Consequently, she has a clear understanding of parental requirements and children's individual needs, and children are happy in her care.  The childminder's home is safe, warm and welcoming, and there is plenty of space for children to play and rest. A wide variety of resources are thoughtfully stored in ways that children can easily access, which promotes their independence.  Children are effectively protected because the childminder makes health and safety a high priority. Risk assessment is thorough and the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of appropriate safeguarding procedures.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Opportunities to involve children in a wide variety of planting and growing activities that reinforce their very good understanding of living things are not always fully embraced.  There is scope to enhance children's rapidly developing physical skills. For example, by providing more opportunities for children to move in a variety of ways and gain even greater control of their bodies.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engage in a range of learning activities, play and daily care routines with the children.  The inspector held conversations with the childminder and children.  The inspector looked around the childminder's home during the inspection.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies, procedures and children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the childminder's self-evaluation form and feedback gathered from children and parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013 on the Early Years Register. She lives in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, with her husband and child aged 15 months. The whole of the home is used for childminding purposes, with the exception of the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the front of the property is by way of two steps.

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Information about the setting

There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, four days a week, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She takes the children to community groups and visits local parks. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend opportunities for children to learn about the food chain and what plants need to grow and thrive, through further planting and growing activities

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance children's physical skills by providing more opportunities for them to move in a variety of ways and gain greater control of their bodies.

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who attend

The childminder clearly understands how children develop and learn. She regularly observes children during play; she carefully assesses their progress and considers where they need to move on to next in their learning. She values parents' views and invites them to share information about their children's individual needs, preferences and interests. Subsequently, this information is used to plan children's experiences and identify any areas where they may need additional support or extension. Regular meetings with parents are arranged to review children's progress and for parents to view their children's learning and development records. In addition, the childminder uses her experience and knowledge to suggest some ways that parents can support their children's learning at home.

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who attend

The quality of teaching is good and, as a result, children make good progress. The childminder provides children with a wide range of interesting activities that she knows they enjoy and will help prepare them for school. For example, regular attendance at a range of community groups enhances children's social skills and broadens their range of experiences. Furthermore, through mixing with a variety of children and adults, children gain an awareness of differences and similarities. The childminder interacts well with the children and effectively promotes their language and communication skills. She teaches children some basic sign language and they enjoy joining in with nursery rhymes and action songs. Children enjoy easy access to a wide selection of books. They eagerly select their favourite books to share with the childminder and enjoy turning the pages. The childminder successfully extends children's learning by encouraging them to repeat words

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who attend

and look at the pictures. She reads with enthusiasm and expression, and this successfully motivates children to listen and respond. Children learn about technology and how it is used as they draw using their fingers on the touch screen of a tablet computer.

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who attend

The childminder ensures that a good selection of resources is easily accessible to children, and this promotes their independence and freedom of choice. Her home is organised well and children have plenty of space, both indoors and outside, to move and explore. Children show curiosity as they explore the texture of wet sand in a tray placed in the garden. They make patterns using their fingers in the sand and enjoy transferring it between different containers. The childminder's garden is well stocked with plants, and children show curiosity as they touch and smell some of them. However, opportunities for children to learn where some food comes from and what plants need to grow and thrive are not fully embraced. For example, there are no designated areas in the garden where children can freely dig in the soil and plant flowers and vegetables.

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who attend

Children frequently play outside in the childminder's garden and have access to a range of resources that include a small slide, balls, a swing and a tunnel. Through using these resources on a regular basis, children develop physical skills and confidence. Children show skill as they carefully negotiate the steps leading from the patio to the grassed area of the garden. Furthermore, they confidently climb the steps of a small plastic slide and move to a seated position, before sliding down. Frequent outings to local parks and soft play centres contribute to their physical development. Nonetheless, there is scope to provide additional experiences that encourage children to move in a variety of ways and gain even greater control of their bodies.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's health and well-being are effectively promoted. Children enjoy plenty of opportunities for exercise and access fresh air daily as they play in the garden or go on outings. Healthy eating is promoted through discussions at mealtimes and during everyday activities. Food provided for the children is healthy and nutritious, and reflects parental wishes and children's dietary requirements. Children enjoy easy access to fresh drinking water and this prevents them from becoming dehydrated. All areas of the childminder's home used for minding are clean. Effective hygiene routines are modelled by the childminder, and children develop personal care skills that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder fosters children's growing independence through praise and encouragement. She is patient and supports children's efforts to try and do things for themselves. The childminder provides children with a comfortable, inviting and stimulating

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

environment where they have plenty of space to play and rest. A comprehensive range of good quality books, toys and resources are effectively stored in ways children can independently access. Children smile and laugh and show confidence in their surroundings. Strong bonds are evident between children and the childminder, and they happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support. Flexible settling-in procedures help new children adjust at a pace that successfully reflects their needs and parental requirements. The childminder makes the effort to find out about children's home routines, and works with parents and others involved in children's care to provide consistency and continuity. This helps as children move from her setting to any others. Parents have provided photographs of their children with family members, and the childminder uses these to inspire children's communication and help them settle.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder ensures children are looked after in safe and secure surroundings at her home and during outings. She supervises them well and encourages them to behave safely and sensibly in different situations. For example, the childminder reminds children that they must go down the slide in her garden feet first; children listen and respond appropriately. Furthermore, children know to take turns on the slide and move quickly out of the way of others when they reach the bottom. The childminder provides children with a positive role model to follow. She is calm, kind and caring, and shows care and consideration for people and property. The childminder sets children clear behaviour boundaries and is firm but fair in her approach to behaviour management. Methods used for managing children's behaviour are shared and agreed with parents to ensure consistency of care. Children receive praise and encouragement for their good behaviour,

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

effort and achievement, and this builds their confidence and self-esteem.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility to meet the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is highly organised and vigilant with regard to children's health and safety; all areas of her home are clean and safe. Comprehensive and well-written policies carefully outline her procedures and responsibilities, and these are shared with parents. Risk assessment is thorough and supported by daily visual safety checks and a range of safety precautions. For example, safety gates prevent children's unsupervised access to the kitchen and hall, and emergency evacuation procedures are regularly practised.

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provision

Children are effectively protected from abuse or neglect. The childminder is well aware of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and knows to record and report any concerns. Furthermore, she has attended safeguarding training and has up-to-date contact numbers for children's social care services. Children are only released into the care of authorised individuals, and all adults living in the home have been appropriately vetted.

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provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and demonstrates a strong capacity for improvement. She regularly exchanges examples of good practice with other childcare practitioners and is constantly reviewing and improving her service. Since registration, the childminder has attended food safety refresher training and, through this, has gained a more up-to-date knowledge of relevant issues. She routinely evaluates the educational programme and her assessment of children's learning and development; she adjusts planning to reflect any changes in their interests or needs. Furthermore, the childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and successfully gathers and utilises parents' views. Comments on parent evaluation forms are very positive. For example, they praise the childminder's dedication to her role and the quality of the food that she provides for their children.

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provision

The childminder works with parents to provide effective care and support for their children. Regular two-way communication takes place between parents and the childminder, and all required information is obtained and shared. The childminder regularly sends parents photographs of their children engaged in play, and arranges review meetings with them to discuss their children's progress. Furthermore, she completes detailed daily information sheets that include information about children's routines, food intake and experiences. As a result, children's needs and parental requirements are known, and children receive consistency of care. The childminder is well aware of the value of partnership working, and describes clear strategies to support all children's learning and welfare.

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456973 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 902461 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 2 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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