Childminder in Bath and North East SomersetOfsted inspection, 10 Jun 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 132803 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Jan Healy

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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 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 registered in 1999. She is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her two children aged 15 and 12 years in the Lansdown area of Bath. The childminder is registered to care for six children from five years to under eight years. Currently, there are 26 children who attend on various days and times, of which, 14 are in the early years age group. The children have access to the ground floor and to bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family own two pet cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The children are making very good progress in their development and are extremely happy to be in the care of the childminder. All their needs are routinely met, as the childminder shares a warm and affectionate relationship with them and knows them well. An inclusive and welcoming service is provided, where the children flourish in their confidence, so learn quickly and with pleasure. The childminder has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement, evident by the effectiveness of the progress made since the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 update understanding with regard to the implentation of the safeguarding children's policy and procedure

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provision

The childminder ensures that there is equality of opportunity at all times, with both the girls and the boys having equal access to all the resources available. The children's individual needs are sought from the parents, to enable the childminder to plan for their requirements. The children have the opportunity to learn about their own and about other cultures when participating in fun activities and when celebrating major festivals, including Easter and the Chinese New Year. The children are taught to value and to respect their friends and to recognise that although everyone is different, all are just as important. Good quality risk assessments ensure the children remain safe at all times, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder identifies areas or aspects of the environment in which the children have access that may prove a possible hazard, for example, the trampoline. This then enables her to take reasonable steps to eliminate or

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provision

The childminder builds a strong partnership with the parents, as she is aware of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the beneficial effect this has on the children in her care, for instance, in the identifying of and responding to any learning difficulties without delay. The childminder and parents regularly exchange information about the progress the children are making and about their changing interests, to enable her to plan a suitable range of play opportunities. The childminder has a good rapport with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable her to promote integration of care and education. The parents report their contentment in leaving their children in the care of the childminder, with whom they have great admiration.

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provision

The childminder has a successful method of self-evaluation in place, so she is able to evaluate her provision for the benefit of the children's welfare, learning and development. As her self-evaluation is of high quality, she has a very good understanding about her strengths, which she endeavours to continue, and her weaknesses, which she swiftly addresses. The childminder has reasonable knowledge about child protection issues, but requires to update her understanding about how to implement the safeguarding children's policy and procedure appropriately.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

An effective policy with regard to health ensures the children remain free from cross-infection. Individual drying towels are readily available and the children are taught about the importance of maintaining their own personal hygiene. Prior written permission is sought from the parents, for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice, to help prevent the delay in the children from receiving appropriate care. Appropriate action is taken to exclude children who are ill or infectious, and if a child becomes ill during their stay, they are swiftly reunited with their parents, to prevent any sickness from spreading. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident, all of which are carefully recorded and shared with the parents. There are plenty of fluids within the children's reach so they do not become dehydrated, particularly after physical play. Healthy and nutritious snacks are enjoyed whilst sitting together,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

making for a sociable occasion when the children take this opportunity to chat to each other about events that are important to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes necessary steps to promote the children's safety and welfare. The premises are secure, preventing the children from leaving without adult supervision. An effective system is in place to verify any visitors to the home and an attendance register records the children's times of arrival and departure, allowing for historical records to be checked.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children behave extremely well whilst in the care of the childminder, as they enjoy her company and so they want to please her. They arrive confidently and choose an activity of their choice. They play and chat easily to their friends and offer assistance to each other, for instance, in the making of a 'spinning top'. Methods to manage the children's behaviour effectively are agreed with the parents to ensure consistency is applied. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is very well organised and plans a wide range of play opportunities that excite the children and encourages them to want to participate. Continuous observations help the childminder to understand the stage of development the children have reached, to enable her to plan for their next step of learning, allowing for on-going progression. All the children are able to join in, as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities are adapted to suit the children's individual needs. They enjoy baking bread rolls, when they learn, for example, to further their mathematical skills, for instance, their understanding about weighing and measuring. They enjoy dressing up and pretending to be characters of their choice, acting out scenes from memory or from story books. They are able to express their creativity when painting, drawing and when creating models, using their imagination during the design and creation. They enjoy experimenting, for example, during inclement weather, they explore the properties of snow and ice. They are learning about modern technology with the use of a computer and play station. The children take part in physical play when making use of the trampoline, which helps to further their fitness and stamina. They weave, sew and interlock jigsaws with confidence. 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

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