Inspection report for early years provision Unique reference number: Removed for security purposes Inspection date: 13/10/2008 Inspector: Lynne Elizabeth Lewington Type of setting: Childminder 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. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C. 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). 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. Description of the childminding The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in Hook. Children have access to the ground floor of the property for their play and the bedrooms for rest. There is a secure garden for outside play. The property has level access and there are toilet and wash facilities on the ground floor. Local parks, shops and schools are available within easy walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. There are currently eight children on roll. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. The childminder attends local children's activities and can take and collect children from the local pre-schools and school. Overall effectiveness of the early years provision Children are confident, happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They have excellent opportunities to play and learn in a safe and caring environment. Close interaction with parents, clear policies, an awareness of individuality and easy access to resources help to promote a positive inclusive environment where individual needs can be met. The skilled and enthusiastic childminder is pro-active in her role and constantly seeks ways to improve the service she provides, indicating a clear capacity for further improvement. What steps need to be taken to improve provision further? To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider: * develop links with other services/providers to promote the integration of care and education The leadership and management of the early years provision The childminder's comprehensive self assessment indicates she understands her role very well and is clear about areas where she can further develop her service for the benefit of the children in her care. Clear in-depth information gathered from parents before children join the setting and ongoing daily records and observations all help to ensure children are understood and their development encouraged. However, currently liaison with other settings to share developmental information is limited. The childminder's knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the action required, help to safeguard young children in her care. Clear policies support her practice and inform parents of her role in safeguarding children. Comprehensive risk assessments and the provider’s clear awareness of the children's ongoing development ensure children play in a safe environment and learn how to promote their own safety. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of the requirements of her registration. The attendance record, accident, complaint and medication records and details of the children are all clearly maintained ensuring the requirements of registration are met. The quality and standards of the early years provision Children enjoy a broad range of activities indoors, in the garden and in the local community. The childminder is confident in her interactions with the children; she understands their learning needs and enables them to make choices in their play. This helps them to follow their individual interests and learn from their experiences. Children lead the play and the childminder adapts and introduces ideas that help the children learn. Good learning opportunities are available in all areas of learning. For example, the children enjoy playing the piano. They use the music books and identify a page; the childminder tells them what song it is and starts the tune on the piano, the children then carry on playing as they sing the song. They are learning to use the instrument with respect and enjoying a fun activity. Daily outdoor activity increases their sense of well-being as the children play in the natural light and use their senses to smell the fresh air and feel the sun or wind on their cheeks. A range of good quality outdoor play equipment provides opportunities to develop confidence and skill in their physical abilities as they climb on the climbing frame and use the small trampoline. Indoors they undertake a variety of activities which encourage their finer movements and skills. For example, making lunch they use a child’s knife to spread puree on their pizza. Children enjoy opportunities to share books and listen to stories developing their language and awareness of the written word. Interest in the natural world and language development is encouraged through practical activities. The children collect conkers and leaves, and use magnifying glasses to examine and discuss how they feel and look. Children look for similarities and match items; they talk about size and shape in all their activity and count as they play developing their awareness of mathematical concepts. They are developing their independence as they find their own coats and Wellington boots and attempt to put them on. Opportunities to play together and meet other children at local activities encourages opportunity for social development. They are learning to take turns, share and use good manners with gentle encouragement from the childminder. Good quality observations supported by informative photographs provide a clear record of children's activity and development enabling the childminder and parents to be well informed about the child's progress and encourage further development appropriately. Methods for sharing information with other settings children attend has not yet been developed and so a full understanding of children's learning experiences cannot be gained. Welfare and safety is of paramount importance to the childminder. The premises are secure and risks minimised. Children learn what they need to do if there is a fire; they learn road safety and safe behaviour both indoors and on outings. The childminder talks to them about safety and uses books and activities to help them to understand. The childminder recognises the importance of rest for young children and ensures they have suitable rest opportunities in addition to stimulating experiences. Children may go to bed for a rest or undertake quiet activity dependant on their individual need. Children demonstrate positive hygiene awareness as they wash their hands before snack and after toileting, helping to prevent the spread of germs. Children eat excellent quality home made nutritious food. For example, they enjoy fruit snacks followed by a home made biscuit and drinks of water or milk. Lunches of sandwiches or homemade soup and bread, dinners of shepherd's pie or spaghetti bolognaise. This enables the children to develop a taste for a variety of foods and ensure they have the energy for their play. Annex A: record of inspection judgements The key inspection judgements and what they mean Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Overall effectiveness How effective is the provision in meeting the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage? Outstanding How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Outstanding The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Outstanding Leadership and management How effectively is provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage led and managed? Outstanding How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Outstanding How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding Quality and standards How effectively are children in the Early Years Foundation Stage helped to learn and develop? Good How effectively is the welfare of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage promoted? Outstanding How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding Any complaints about the inspection or report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk Annex B: the Childcare Register The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when: * we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or * we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or * the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register. We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider. Detail of the complaint/s There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. he provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. | ||
 | | |