Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 EY365807 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, mother-in-law and two children aged three and seven years in semi- detached town house in Walton Cardiff on the outskirts of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. The whole of the house is registered for childminding which takes place mainly on the ground floor with access to the conservatory and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden and driveway for outside play with grassed, patio and hard-surfaced areas. The family has two dogs and a tortoise as pets. The childminder offers care before, during and after school and in school holidays. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age group who come on a part- time basis. The childminder goes to the nearby playgroup and school to take and

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Description of the childminding

collect children. She attends toddler groups, visits parks and shops and goes for walks within the local community. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, a local childminder support group and an approved childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder uses her in-depth knowledge of the children to offer learning opportunities to meet all of their individual needs and interests. Children enjoy their time in the childminder's care and are kept actively engaged playing with the resources made available on that day. Good organisation, drive and motivation of the childminder ensure children are happy, have positive experiences and are individually cared for in a secure environment where their safety is a high priority. Effective links with parents help them to become involved in their child's care and education and the childminder is beginning about developing contacts with other early years providers. Careful reflection ensures that plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the range of resources freely available to children to extend their learning and development  support children’s learning and development by developing systems for the regular flow of two-way information between providers.

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provision

The childminder is well organised. Clear policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and all aspects of children's welfare and development are thoroughly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implemented. For example, detailed risk assessments are conducted, regularly reviewed and supported through robust systems, including daily checks on premises, resources and monitoring of sleeping children. All required documentation is clear and relevant, and individual records are informative, therefore promoting good quality care and inclusive practice. Space is used effectively to ensure children can play co-operatively, alongside others or alone if they choose. Toys and books are regularly rotated according to children's interests and older ones select items from the toy library catalogue.

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provision

Good relationships with parents are established so that daily exchange of verbal and written information contributes to the children's well-being and development. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their children's learning through sharing information about the children's chosen activities and how these can be extended at the childminder's home. The childminder has not yet thought through systems for two-way information for when minded children attend other early years settings.

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provision

Children are cared for in small numbers and so have ample, caring adult support. The childminder is very committed to improving her knowledge and practice. She has effectively evaluated the strengths and acted upon areas for improvement of her provision. For example, she has enabled children to choose indoor or outdoor play through provision of extra play space on the ground floor. In addition she has organised a range of training to attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are effectively helped to learn as she enthusiastically and individually supports their chosen play. She helpfully interacts to develop their growing understanding, for example, of space and position as she points out different resources that go 'up and down' or 'backwards and forwards'. As a result, children are interested and involved during well explained routines with good opportunities for indoor and outdoor play from the start of the day. Children's purposeful play is effectively encouraged through exploration in many suitable activities, including free play with construction equipment and small world toys. They enjoy a good balance of adult-suggested and child-initiated activities that result in their being active learners, for example, as they manoeuvre wheeled toys around the patio. Good tactile resources encourage children to be creative and think critically, including free painting and making prints in dough with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their ears and feet. Overall, children use a wide range of resources, though some are in storage so young ones cannot choose freely to extend their learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's planning is effective because children's play preferences and spontaneous interests are well encouraged, immediately and during the following days. Her observations of children’s responses are recorded in detail and well used, in consultation with parents, to plan for their next steps across the six areas of learning. For example, a child's fascination with a large crate leads to role play involving ‘sailing adventures’. Children enjoy investigating and actively learn as they prepare food, such as pumpkin soup, and grow plants, including sunflowers to dry This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the seeds for winter birds. They frequently explore their environment, interacting with people in the community, including schoolchildren celebrating Harvest. They learn to care for wildlife by feeding the ducks and talk about which animals might have made the tiny bite marks on wild mushrooms. The childminder has an effective

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

approach to supporting young children to manage their own behaviour. She focuses on positive praise and encouragement, for example, whilst children play with wheeled toys, learning to share and take turns. From an early age, children make decisions for themselves about where they will play and the resources set out.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The welfare and economic well-being of the children are effectively promoted through the childminder's good level of commitment and sound understanding of requirements and guidance. Children highly benefit from the childminder's approachable and friendly attitude and the individual care she provides, for example, during personal care times. Their good health is promoted as, for example, necessary steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate action is taken when children are ill. From a young age, children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, during regular emergency practices and when on outings. Children receive good attention and support from the childminder so that they gain a strong sense of security in order to succeed in a comfortable, welcoming environment. 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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