Childminder in Bath and North East SomersetOfsted inspection, 8 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 132921 Inspection date 08/06/2009 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

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 and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and one adult in Perrymead, a quiet area of Bath. The children have access to the ground floor of the childminder's home and to the first floor for sleeping. There is a patio area at the rear of the house for physical play. There is a drive for the safe arrival and collection of children and easy access into the home. The family have two pet rabbits named Snowy and Bracken.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The children flourish in the care of the childminder, who routinely meets their needs, as she knows them extremely well and she has an excellent rapport with the parents, therefore, no child is disadvantaged. Each child's individual requirements are taken into account when planning an extensive range of exceedingly high quality play, so all are very well supported in their learning. Both the girls and the boys have equal access to all the resources available and all are happy and comfortable to explore and experiment in activities that are new to them with confidence.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure older children have the use of a range of modern technology

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provision

The childminder has a strong understanding about child protection and about the procedure to follow in the event of witnessing a concern. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and about the importance of maintaining particular records. The parents are kept fully up to date about the responsibility the childminder has in responding to such an incident should one occur.

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provision

Partnership with parents is excellent. They have the advantage of being able to peruse all the childminder's policies and statements at their leisure and have the opportunity to add to them if they wish to. Written contracts are updated at regular intervals or sooner, for example, when changes occur. The parents visit the setting to share their skills and talents with the children, for example, a dentist to teach the children about the importance of maintaining their oral hygiene. They learn about the work of a doctor and about how to play a musical instrument. The parents have the benefit of accessing their children's records at any time, with the provision of books containing the planning, observations taken with an evaluation about how the activity went and the next step for achievement, which helps the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents to continue the work at home. Many photographs are taken of the children

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provision

engaging in play, which the parents are able to retain. The childminder forms good partnerships in the wider context, for example, other provisions that children attend that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage, to ensure progression and continuity of care.

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provision

The childminder strives for improvement, to enable her to provide a high standard of care and education. She carries out a thorough and comprehensive method of self-evaluation, which is successful and enables her to take effective steps to meticulously establish her provision's strengths and weaknesses. The outcomes are monitored, with plans put into place to identify clear targets for improvement. Clear evidence details how the childminder has progressed since the previous inspection and her future plans will be beneficial to the children's learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures the good health of the children remains a top priority. Her home is clean due to a regular routine and the children are taught about the importance of maintaining their own personal hygiene. This includes appropriate hand washing and discarding of paper tissues after a single use. An effective policy with regard to the administration of medication supports the children's individual needs and a sick child policy prevents illness from spreading. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident, all of which are recorded and are shared with the parents, so they are aware about any injury to their child. Written parental permission is sought from the parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice, to prevent the delay in the children receiving the appropriate care they require. The children have ready access to fresh drinking water and they enjoy mealtimes whilst sat at the dining

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

room table. This not only provides a time for the children to chat to each other about events that are important to them, which helps to further their social skills and vocabulary, but they also learn about table manners. The children are safe whilst in the care of the childminder, as she takes appropriate precautions to eliminate hazards, for example, finger guards are fitted to doors and electrical sockets are covered. Sharp objects and dangerous fluids are kept out of the children's reach. Smoke alarms are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order and the children take part in an emergency evacuation procedure, so they are familiar with the routine to leave the premises swiftly. Thorough risk assessments take place in the home, garden and all outings the children attend, to help alert the childminder about any possible danger. The children behave extremely well, as the childminder is a good role model, which the children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

emulate. They enjoy their stay being happy in the company of the childminder and their friends. They have access to an excellent range of resources that aid their learning and development, which are not only age appropriate, but are also interesting and challenging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are making excellent progress in their learning and development, as the childminder has extensive knowledge about child development and about how young children learn. She plans high quality and exciting activities, which the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are eager to participate in, as information about their interests are sought from the parents, which enables her to meet their needs at any given moment. Accurate observations clearly identify whether the children require further learning in a particular area. The childminder takes the time to review and analyse her findings with regard to the children's achievements, making an informed decision about how to plan for their next step of learning. The children have the advantage to engage in an enormous range of activities, including experimenting with the sounds of various musical instruments. They make marks on paper, with the older

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children learning to write their name. They paint using various size brushes and rollers, with the childminder encouraging them to express their creative freedom, by designing and making objects of their choice using recyclable material. There are some resources that aid the children's understanding about modern technology for the younger children. They listen to stories being told and make use of puppets to re-tell their favourite stories. They dress up in costumes and pretend to be characters they know. The children like to make hand prints and compare the size with their friends. They take trips to the local garden centre and calculate how much money they will need to purchase vegetables. They weigh and measure ingredients during baking activities and are able to recognise and to name a broad range of shapes. 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? 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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