Childminder in Swindon

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 145238 Inspection date 08/10/2008 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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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 has been registered since 1993. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, 13 and 15 years, in the village of Baydon, near Marlborough, within walking distance of the local school and pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

Only the ground floor of the house is used for minded children, but this provides all necessary facilities. The sitting room can provide sleeping facilities, if necessary, and there is access to a downstairs toilet. There is level access into the home, although space is restricted in the toilet. The sitting room, dining room and enclosed rear garden are used as play areas. Family pets include a cat and indoor tank of fish. The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years at one time. The registration does not include overnight care. She currently has nine children under eight years and three older children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and she is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is an accredited childminder and registered to receive funding for nursery education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children are well cared for and make outstanding progress in their learning and development whilst with this childminder. She works closely with parents to ensure that every child receives the care they need. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn through play and constantly reviews her practice and attends training to seek further improvement to her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 consistently teach children about the importance of good hygiene by always washing their hands before eating  further develop partnerships with other settings that children attend  continue to develop the systems of assessment and self evaluation To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of risk assessments that cover all areas of the premises and outings (safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/10/2008

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is committed to providing high quality care and learning for all children. She is very well organised and maintains all the required documentation to help guide her practice. She regularly attends relevant training and has obtained a level 3 qualification in childcare which has had a very positive impact on her provision for children. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard children both in terms of child protection and maintaining a safe home. She has carried out risk assessments but these do not yet include potential risks when on outings.

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provision

She works closely with parents, building a good two-way flow of information to help her tailor her care and learning to individual children's needs. She is beginning to build partnerships with other settings to help support children and ensure continuity of care. The childminder reflects on her practice and is successful in identifying areas to further develop and improve experiences for children, for example, by introducing a low large table in the play room, she has enabled young children to more fully enjoy certain activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with this childminder. They are happy and settled and move confidently around her welcoming home, choosing from the very good range of high quality resources that are stored within their reach. The childminder has a thorough understanding of how young children learn and develop and she uses this knowledge to provide an excellent range of exciting and practical play experiences. She makes careful observations of what children can do and discusses their progress with parents. She is beginning to develop the way she shares information with other early years settings that the children attend. She records this information in individual scrapbooks, which are usefully illustrated with photographs and examples of children's art work. Based on this, she plans activities that help each child make exceptionally good progress in all areas of their development. For example, a young child who is reluctant to take part in messy play

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

is enticed to join in with sliding a jelly around a tray and then chopping and squashing in pieces of banana.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make outstanding progress in developing their speaking and listening skills. For example, the childminder uses great skill as she shares books with young children. They are transfixed as they enjoy the story or talk about the pictures they see. The childminder links these to familiar experiences and introduces new vocabulary and encourages children to predict what will happen next. The children have excellent opportunities to learn about the world about them, as they walk in the countryside and watch the changing seasons on the local farm. They learn to closely observe and question why, for example, they are fascinated by a slug they find in the garden. They practise using numbers in meaningful ways, for example as they grow and measure giant sunflowers or weigh out ingredients for cooking activities. They create individual pieces of art that are displayed, building children's self esteem. Children's behaviour is exemplary; they learn to play co-operatively and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

negotiate with others. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children play in safety as the childminder has thoroughly assessed the risks in her home and garden and taken steps to minimise most hazards, although she has not replaced a recently broken smoke detector. The risk assessment does not however cover outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, a book illustration shows children playing on hay bales and the childminder explains to children why this is not safe. Children learn how to stay healthy, as they enjoy a range of nutritious meals, that they are involved in choosing and preparing. Meals are enjoyable relaxed social occasions, when children are encouraged to try new tastes and textures. They enjoy playing in the fresh air every day and have time to rest and sleep following their home routines. Children use a clean home and the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder generally follows good hygienic procedures to reduce illness and infection, however, children do not routinely learn to wash their hands before eating. Children's individual needs are very well met through the childminder's excellent understanding of each child, helping all children to feel fully included. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding

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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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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