Atkinson, Melanie

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 January 2015 31 July 2009

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She provides a wide range of experiences to promote their learning through play, conversation and outings into the local community. As a result, children make good progress in their learning.  The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment, which supports children's emotional well-being. This enables children to feel secure, have confidence to explore and learn, as well as to develop strong attachments.  The childminder's partnership with parents is effective. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress. Consequently, the childminder and parents work together to promote good outcomes for children.  The childminder manages her provision well. She makes good use of self-evaluation, to reflect on practice and consider ways to improve experiences for the children.  The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to effectively

p.1

This provision is good

safeguard children in her care. Risk assessments are thorough and ensure that her home is secure, safe and prevents unauthorised access.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are not always given the opportunity to take on small responsibilities, for example, pouring their own drinks, helping to prepare their own snacks and serve them.  The progress check completed for children between the ages of two and three years does not clearly identify the current level children are working at, or include parental input to make an even more useful assessment of children's abilities.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 provide further opportunities for children to develop confidence, independence and self-esteem, for example, by allowing them to be involved in the preparation and serving of snacks and drinks  enhance further the quality of the progress check completed for children aged between two and three years by including an assessment of the levels children are currently working at, as well as information and comments from parents about their children's abilities.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playroom, the kitchen/diner and the hallway.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of adults working with children and household members.  The inspector looked at activity planning, records of children's learning and a selection of policies and records.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.

p.2

who attend. This is good

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She monitors children's progress well, through precise observation and assessment. Planned activities are purposeful, meet the learning needs of individual children, and cover the seven areas of learning. Because of this and the childminder's teaching skills and interactions, children are interested and motivated to learn. Therefore, they make good progress. Children enjoy dough play, developing a variety of different skills. For example, they learn about mixing colours, explore different textures and expand their creativity. The childminder actively supports children's learning by using questions to develop children's communication skills and to develop their critical thinking. This encourages their thirst for knowledge. She regularly shares information with parents and actively involves them in their child's learning, both within the setting and at

p.3

good

The childminder effectively supports children's development of a healthy lifestyle. For example, children have daily opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise. Good hygiene practices are followed and children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet. The childminder establishes close bonds and attachments with the children; this ensures their emotional well-being is effectively supported. The inviting playroom provides children with free access to a wide selection of resources that supports their growing independence. However, opportunities for children to develop self-help skills, confidence and independence are not always maximised. For example, they do not have the opportunity to pour their own drinks, help prepare snacks or serve themselves. The childminder teaches safety well through routine. For example, children learn how to cross the road safely. The childminder sets clear boundaries to manage children's behaviour and

p.3

good

encourages them to share toys and consider others.

p.3

provision is good

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She places a strong emphasis on ensuring that children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder carefully evaluates and reflects critically on her practice, resulting in a strong drive to continually improve. She has attended additional training to enhance her knowledge in order to develop the provision for children who attend. The childminder has a secure underpinning knowledge of how children learn and develop. Children's progress is monitored well in most instances. However, the progress check for children aged between two and three years does not identify the development band children are working within or include information obtained from parents, in order to provide a more informative summary. Strong links have been established with local feeder schools. As a result, information and records are exchanged

p.3

provision is good

to support smooth transitions and continuity in children's learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY259486 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 860494 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 31 July 2009

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Rugeley, Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

Telephone number

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.

p.4

Telephone number

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

p.4

Telephone number

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’.

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5