Childminder in DevonOfsted inspection, 5 Mar 2009

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 EY370801 Inspection date 05/03/2009 Inspector Julie Neal

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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 2008. She lives with her partner, adult son and three year old daughter in Cullompton, Devon. The childminder uses her whole house for childcare purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of which no more than three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years of age. There are currently five children on roll who are cared for at different times, four of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children benefit from a welcoming and inclusive environment, where the childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure their individual needs are met very well. This results in children making consistently good progress, with all aspects of their welfare, learning and development being promoted effectively. The childminder’s self-evaluation of practice is regular and is consistent in identifying key areas for development and prioritising these in terms of improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that, when asked by parents and carers to administer medication to children, the time of the last dose given at home is recorded, in order to prevent the risk of possible overdosing  continue to develop processes that monitor activities to ensure that children receive a balance of learning and development opportunities in all areas of learning

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). All regulatory documentation is in place and all policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant. The childminder organises space and resources well to meet the needs of all children and her excellent risk assessments ensure that children can move safely around the childminder's home and garden. The childminder evaluates her practice well. She has used the Ofsted self- evaluation form most effectively to help focus evaluations and to identify areas for improvement in terms of outcomes for children. For example, she is aware that, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 although she plans activities and resources well in order that children make consistent progress, her monitoring of the programme of learning, requires development in order to confirm that children are gaining a balance of

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provision

opportunities in all areas. The childminder shares information well with parents. She gains detailed information regarding the individual needs of each child and ensures this is recorded and reviewed with parents as children grow and develop. The childminder ensures that parents are fully informed about the policies and procedures that support the care of children. Parents are informed of children's daily achievements and the childminder provides them with ongoing information about their progress in learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s individual learning and development is promoted well. The childminder ensures she is aware of children's individual starting points; she combines her discussions with parents with her early observations of children while making her initial assessment. She focuses planning on children's abilities and interests, organising activities and resources well, in order to engage, stimulate and challenge children according to their individual stages of development. Children of all ages and abilities benefit from the thoughtful and inclusive processes employed by the childminder when considering how to structure planned activities and resources in order to maximise their enjoyment and learning. For example, considering any specific needs that children may have when planning creative activities to ensure that media and materials are suitably accessible for all children involved. Everyday activities and routines are used well to equip children with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

practical skills and to extend these in meaningful ways. For example, very young children show they are learning to hold and manipulate tools well, as they practise slicing fruit in role play, then help the childminder to cut up soft fruit such as bananas at snack time. Children have good opportunities to make choices as they play, selecting from well arranged and age appropriate resources. For example, children help themselves to a box of percussion instruments and thoroughly enjoy exploring the sounds these make. The childminder uses her good observations well in monitoring children's individual progress and their records are well maintained and give accurate reflections of their stages of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained environment. The childminder promotes children’s health and wellbeing effectively. She has a very good understanding of children's individual health needs, working closely with parents and accessing training to ensure she has the appropriate skills to provide good levels of support. Any medicines administered by the childminder are clearly recorded. However, she does not note the time of the last dose given to children prior to their arrival at the setting. Children learn to manage their own personal hygiene needs well, for instance, they wash their hands before snacks and understand that they should use their own towels in order to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children bring packed lunches and the childminder ensures these are stored appropriately. She provides a good selection of fruit for children to choose from at snack time and drinks are accessible to children throughout the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

day. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are well behaved and show a clear understanding of simple ground rules and expected codes of conduct. For example, they understand that it is not safe to throw toys indoors and that they should be kind to each other. Children show high levels of confidence and self esteem in their interactions with the childminder and her family and enjoy warm and affectionate relationships with them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent systems in place to support children's safety and to protect them from harm. They learn practical safety skills, such as using the 'green cross code' to cross roads and take part in regular fire drills, where they are involved in evaluating the success of the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder's risk assessments are excellent; they are comprehensive and frequently reviewed to ensure they remain relevant. For example, those relating to the childminder's home have been reviewed to ensure that the physical environment is suitably inclusive for children with specific needs, in order to maximise their opportunities for participation. Children’s safety is further enhanced by the childminder's excellent understanding of safeguarding issues, which protects children from the risk of abuse or neglect while in her care. She ensures that parents have a clear understanding of her responsibility to act should she

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have concerns and that they are familiar with her policies and procedures that safeguard their children. 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? 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? 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 or 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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