Kean, Heather

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 05/01/2015 10/12/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

 The childminder provides a good variety of activities to stimulate children and promote their learning.  Children settle well because they are happy and secure in the care of the childminder and her assistants.  The childminder has robust observation, assessment, and planning procedures, which contribute to children making effective progress in their learning and development.  The childminder evaluates her provision and continues to make improvements that benefit the children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not extend the information available to parents about children's activities or provide consistent opportunities to promote continuity of learning robustly.

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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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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder and an assistant.  The inspector observed children in their activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector read the childminder's self-evaluation form and a sample of children's development records.  The inspector checked procedures for safety and suitability matters.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1989. She lives with her husband in the St Budeaux area of Plymouth, close to local amenities. Children use the lounge, dining room and conservatory. The bathroom is on the first floor and the childminder's bedroom is available for children who need to sleep during the day. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are steps to the front of the house and from the patio door to the garden. The family has two cats and a rabbit. The childminder employs assistants, including her husband, to maintain ratio requirements. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 11 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder receives early education funding to provide free places for children aged two, three and four years. She has a National Vocation Qualification at level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. The

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Information about the setting

childminder takes children to the local pre-school, toddler group and on other trips on a regular basis.

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

 increase the opportunities to involve parents in children's learning and provide more information about children's activities, to promote parents understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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who attend

The childminder and her assistants provide close support and attention to children to help them learn and develop. They have good knowledge of each child's interests and next steps and plan activities accordingly. For instance, younger children enjoy sensory play activities, such as gloop, made with cornflour and water. Children swirled their fingers through the mixture and had great fun. They listened to the childminder's questions and repeated words and sounds as the childminder encouraged language development.

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who attend

The childminder provides a good range of materials for children to explore. Each activity has a purpose and the childminder adds resources to extend children's learning. For instance, children use scales in the dried pasta tray, which encourages their mathematical understanding. Children enjoy the activities and develop key skills for learning. They show interest and concentrate for sustained periods.

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who attend

The childminder organises the environment well. Children make independent choices from the accessible resources as they move around. The toddlers enjoy chalking and are developing skills for early handwriting. The childminder responds to children's requests for music and they happily twirled around in the front room. They sang and clapped as the assistant engaged in action songs with them. This type of activity supports children's language skills and physical development.

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who attend

The childminder and her assistants observe and note children's achievements. They compile assessment summaries of children's progress and complete the required progress check for two-year-old children. A daily journal and a record of development are in place for each child. Parents have opportunities to contribute to the progress records and have regular discussions with the childminder. She provides newsletters for parents about forthcoming activities and events that their children will be doing. However, the information does not refer to the areas of development or clearly explain the learning intention, to help parents reinforce children's learning at home. Children occasionally borrow toys and books, although this is incidental rather than clearly planned to enhance shared learning opportunities.

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

Children form close attachments and enjoy being with the childminder, her family and the assistants. They are friendly and give children a warm response, which helps them feel safe and secure. The childminder is attentive to children's individual needs and routines, so that children remain content in her care. Children move around with confidence and show a good sense of belonging. They learn to select their name cards when they arrive, which they are proud to display.

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

The childminder promotes inclusion well because she rotates activities and repeats outings, to provide all children with equal opportunities. The childminder involves children in the planning and takes account of their interests. She makes good use of pictures to enable children to make choices. For example, children selected a picture of an activity that they wanted to do and placed it on the board.

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

The childminder encourages children to manage their personal care in preparation for their move to nursery or school. Children develop independence skills, for instance they help themselves to drinks and learn to use cutlery. The childminder provides protective overalls for messy play activities, which children understand they need to wear.

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

Children benefit from frequent outdoor play activities, in the garden, park and at attractions. The childminder teaches children about the natural environment and the world around them. For example, children enjoy trips to the moor, aquarium, and toddler groups. They learn how things grow, such as when they plant tomatoes outside. The childminder has good arrangements for the provision of food and drink, which meet children's individual dietary requirements. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes because they sit together with adults at a table. They learn good hygiene routines, which help to protect their health.

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

The childminder helps children learn to share, take turns and cooperate in their play activities. She teaches children about safety, with age-appropriate explanations and expectations. For example, young children understand that they should hold hands, wear reins, and not run off. To reinforce learning the childminder provides replica road signs in the garden. These help children to recall what they have learnt about when on outings. The childminder practises the fire drill regularly with the children to help them understand what to do in the event of an emergency.

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provision

The childminder works with assistants to provide effective support and supervision for children. She completes appropriate checks to verify that persons working with children are suitable to do so. The childminder displays qualification certificates, to reassure parents that persons are suitably qualified. The premises are safe and secure with effective risk assessments that the childminder and assistant follow. The childminder acts appropriately to minimise hazards to children. For example, she checks that play materials are safe and suitable. Clear policies and procedures are in place, which the childminder and assistants implement to promote and protect children's welfare. The childminder and assistants complete child protection training, to refresh their secure awareness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has addressed the recommendations to update a written policy and to enable parents to add to their children's records of development. She continues to complete relevant training to support her professional practice. The childminder actively encourages her assistants to complete courses, to promote ongoing development. Together they reflect on their learning to make improvements in children's learning. For example, the childminder purchased additional resources to support children's language development and devised games to help individual children achieve a specific goal. The childminder has extended outdoor play opportunities for children with the provision of a canopied area in the garden. This means that children are able to play outside in most weather conditions, so they continue to benefit from fresh air and exercise.

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provision

The childminder completes a self-evaluation form to reflect on her provision. She regularly reviews children's progress to monitor the effectiveness of the educational programme. Parent questionnaires and ongoing discussions enable parents to contribute to this evaluation process, so partnership working is good. The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and they appreciate the care that she gives to children.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 117364 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 840116 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 11

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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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