Childminder in Wiltshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY359050 Inspection date 19/11/2008 Inspector Sue Vernon

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Type of setting Childminder 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 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.

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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. 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and two. They live in a terrace house in Corsham, Wiltshire which is accessible from the road with a small step down to the front door. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered for four children under eight and currently minds one child in the early years age group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder gathers very good knowledge of each child's individual needs which ensures that she promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning effectively. She provides a welcoming environment where children are safe and secure as they explore a wide range of play opportunities both in and outside of the home. The excellent partnership with parents is a key strength and contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of children are met very well and they get any additional support that they need. The childminder has established effective self-evaluation systems which identify priorities for future development and supports on-going improvement of her provision. This ensures children receive a good care and learning experience.

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further?

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

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further?

 consistently promote children's independence in their hygiene routines To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out full risk assessments for each type of outing 24/12/2008

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provision

Children enjoy a well organised environment which provides them access to an interesting variety of play and learning opportunities. Children move safely and freely around the registered areas, for example as they enjoy floor play with brick building or sit for snack time at the kitchen table. The learning environment has been thoughtfully prepared with toys easily accessible which encourages children to choose their own play resources and develop their independence.

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provision

The childminder has good understanding of safeguarding children and the required procedures to be followed should any concerns arise. Appropriate steps have been taken to minimise risks in the home and garden. Risks have been assessed and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimised with appropriate safety equipment in place though regular outings have not yet been risk assessed, as required. The childminder helps children develop their own awareness of how to keep themselves safe, for example as they learn how to negotiate garden steps.

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provision

The childminder has reviewed her childminding practice consistently and she evaluates and plans for her development well. She has created good systems for activity planning which she links strongly to children's interests which increases their enjoyment. She uses observations and evaluations effectively in order to link into next stage planning and support children's progress in learning. She builds excellent relationships with parents through settling-in visits and extensive discussions in order to establish systems for supporting each child's needs very effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's care. She gets to know each child well and prepares a suitable selection of toys and play resources to match their interests before they arrive which ensures they feel welcome and can move smoothly into play. She works closely with parents and other agencies and incorporates specific plans for each child's needs into the daily routines. For example, supporting speech therapy plans as she speaks clearly and encourages toddlers to extend their language as they describe their play with toy dinosaurs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder carefully builds on each child's abilities and starting points which she gathers from discussions with parents. She has very good ideas for play activities which are based on children's play interests and cover all of the areas of learning. For example, for a child who likes pigs, the childminder arranges play activities such as visiting pigs kept near a farm shop. She prepares trays for making a muddy environment for toy pigs in the garden and children enjoy digging up soil and mixing it with water. She offers resources so children can make different size models of the three pigs' houses after reading the story which helps them learn about problem solving and using mathematical language describing shapes and sizes. Children have fun expressing themselves in a variety of craft activities such as hand painting and their self-esteem is supported by seeing their work displayed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good systems are used to observe and monitor children's learning progress and plan for the next stage of their development. The childminder is inventive in tailoring play activities to individual needs such as designing her own flash cards to help children with colours, numbers and numerals. She promotes children's thinking well as she asks open questions and shares their sense of fun and achievement. Children respond to her warm praise and encouragement which supports their concentration skills. Very good feedback is shared with parents through detailed progress books as well as verbal discussions. This ensures that parents are involved closely in their child's learning as they are asked for their comments and invited to complete evaluations on the childminder's practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe environment and helps children develop their own This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 awareness of how to keep themselves safe, for example as they learn how to negotiate garden steps. She helps them develop awareness of fire safety through displays of child-friendly pictures of evacuation routines which they discuss together. Children learn about diversity through an interesting variety of books and play figures. Their health and well-being is supported effectively by the daily routines for outdoor play and healthy snacks of fresh fruit and regular drinks. Children follow routines for good hygiene as they have their own towels for hand washing but these are not always used. Records and policies are used well for medication and accident recording. Clear policies about her routines are shared with parents which builds good consistency of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The 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.

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