Childminder in Devon

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 EY269189 Inspection date 04/12/2008 Inspector Judith Harris

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and four children, three are adult or teenage children, and the youngest is seven years of age. They live in Barnstaple in North Devon. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for out door play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. A maximum of five children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder is qualified to level 3 and has recently completed a Level 4 qualification with the Open University for a Certificate in Early Years Practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual learning and development is extensively and successfully nurtured by the well qualified and experienced childminder. The creative and versatile partnerships that the childminder has with parents and other settings provide her with a comprehensive range of information for each individual child.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are exceptionally well cared for and their welfare is unquestionably supported through the warm, caring relationships they have with the childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder shows a very high level of commitment to continuing professional development and development and improvement of her service through the effective use of self-evaluation and reflective practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to develop systems and policies and procedures in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage

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provision

The childminder is exceptionally well-qualified and experienced; she has continued her professional development through a range of short courses and workshops and by completing a level 4 qualification. The childminder has made great strides to successfully include and incorporate the Early Years Foundation Stage within her own practice. The clear and precise organisation ensures that the childminder has a wide range of policies and procedures which are written specifically for the service and that her record-keeping is up-to-date and confidential. Effective This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systems ensure that all records, policies and procedures and documentation are comprehensively shared with parents. At admission of each child the childminder uses an initial child profile to gather information about children's interests and their developmental starting points. This is followed two to three months later by a

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provision

questionnaire for parents to update any information and check children have settled well. To further keep the parents informed the childminder uses daily exchanges of information and a quarterly newsletter. The versatile exchanges of information ensure that the childminder is able to collect comments from parents which she uses to improve and develop the service. The childminder has made extensive use of the online self-evaluation form to record details of her service and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses that she feels are present. Using this system the childminder has very effectively identified areas for improvement within her service and detailed the actions she will take to bring about improvements. In addition to this the observations and assessments that are carried out on a regular basis by the childminder provide her with an extensive range of information to successfully evaluate children's learning and development and plan for next steps.

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provision

The childminder is making constant use of reflective practice which supports her to think about how she plans and provides for each individual child.

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provision

Children are actively encouraged to respect each other and value their own and others' individuality. The childminder provides children with a range of toys and equipment and resources which promote positive images of all people and support inclusion. The demonstration of a very positive attitude ensures the childminder is a good role model who is confident to challenge discrimination. A comprehensive and versatile range of policies and procedures actively support inclusion and the childminder is pro-active in ensuring that she is prepared at all times to meet the needs of children, from a variety of different backgrounds, both boys and girls and children with learning difficulties and disabilities. To further support inclusion and make all families feel welcome the childminder has a multi-lingual 'Welcome' poster displayed in her hall alongside children's work. The childminder gives positive answers to children's questions and uses books and the internet to find out

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provision

anything she can't answer. She provides examples of different languages including Braille and sign language and has developed a number of resources of her own. Children take part in activities that celebrate festivals and calendar events from different cultures and beliefs throughout the year. The extensive range of information that the childminder has for each child ensures that she knows the children well as individuals and is able to successfully meet their needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident, and well settled in the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. The highly effective systems used by the childminder ensure she is creative in the variety of ways she gathers information about children's individual interests and learning needs. The excellent range and variety of observations and assessments provide a very clear picture of each child's progress in all areas of learning. Each child has a scrapbook which contains information about their individual learning and development journey. These records take the form of photographs of children at particular activities with information about the activity and a series of clear links to the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage. The childminder uses a very wide variety of observation techniques to gather the information from the initial profile to build a clear picture

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of the child and successfully plan to meet their unique learning and development needs. The majority of play is child led; however the childminder ensures a good balance of child and adult led activities which provide appropriate challenges to build on children's previous learning. At play children are enthusiastic and excited, they play with small world toys using an inspiring range of imagination and high levels of concentration to develop a complex game. At the adult lead activity children take part in an activity about healthy eating. They have chosen the pictures of different food and with the childminder they decide whether the food is healthy or not. Children are practising handwriting skills with great confidence as they write the words on the poster with the support of the childminder. The childminder's interaction is animated and she makes excellent use of all planned and naturally occurring situations to challenge and extend the children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The activities and experiences are thoughtfully planned with an extensive amount of free play time that allows the children to explore and develop their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The exceptionally warm and supportive relationships the children have with the childminder ensure that they are well cared for and that their welfare is supported. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play and go for walks in the local area. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe and about appropriate behaviour when playing with others. Children are provided with healthy balanced snacks and drinks and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure any special dietary needs are met. The health and hygiene routines are very well maintained and the childminder ensures a good level of security in her home and at arrival and collection times. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 the last inspection.

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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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