Childminder in Somerset

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY342651 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Joyce Bowler

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in Wellington, Somerset. The home is within a short walk of schools, shops and toddler groups. Minded children have access to downstairs rooms for all meals, sleep and play. There is an enclosed garden to the rear but this is out of bounds currently until made suitable for use. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She works with an assistant on occasions when her registration extends to a maximum of six children. Overnight care is not provided. The family have a pet dog. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home. They enjoy a range of activities and access to resources which support their development but these are not always informed by planning or assessment. Most of the documentation required by regulation is in place and the childminder has begun to monitor her practice by means of formal self-evaluation and attending workshops and training.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 continue to develop records for learning and development  offer regular opportunities for parents to add to records. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 ensure that records relating to children and contracts with parents are complete and in place for all children. (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/04/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder organises her service to a satisfactory standard. Each child has an individual folder containing their planning and assessment scrapbook together with policies and permissions which have been countersigned by parents. The majority of the folders contain completed child information record forms and contracts. However, there are omissions in some folders as some contracts and data are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 incomplete which prevents continuity of care between parents and the childminder. Daily verbal feedback is well established and the childminder exchanges news of children's achievements and progress with parents. However, they do not receive regular opportunities to share their own observations formally with the childminder in order to build a complete picture of children's needs and interests or to inform planning. The childminder maintains policies and procedures to safeguard children

p.3

provision

and has begun to write out her risk assessments. She is in the process of extending this written record currently. The childminder organises her home to allow for a mix of table top and floor play according to children's levels of ability and children are able to select resources for themselves. She includes all children in suitable activities, such as story time and snack time. She has begun to use the Ofsted self evaluation form to monitor her practice and has identified areas for improvement such as the garden, her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and her planning and assessment systems. She has addressed all recommendations raised at the last inspection resulting in improvements to hygiene and information supplied to parents. The childminder has an effective knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children from a recent training course. She maintains a written procedure of what to do if she has a child

p.4

provision

protection concern or there is an allegation against herself and she shares this information with parents. The childminder's assistant is also aware of all her policies and procedures, all safeguarding protocols and conditions of registration. The childminder displays her registration certificate, first aid qualification and public liability insurance in addition to the EYFS poster to share with parents.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder puts good emphasis on children settling in well and feeling happy and confident in her home. She spends time to make them feel valued and welcomed and therefore promotes their personal, social and emotional development well. Children respond eagerly to the individual attention that they receive and the childminder uses a mix of praise, reassuring eye contact and her cheerful voice to calm them. Although she has some idea of how to integrate the six areas of learning into everyday routines and activities she is not yet using assessments to inform her practice or future plans and there is limited evidence of what should come next for each child. The childminder has made some limited progress in developing her programme and records to support children's learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she is aware of children's stages of development and encourages them to learn as they

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

play. She can identify resources which may interest or benefit a specific child, such as providing more dressing up clothes for dolls and helping babies to develop communication skills by talking to them and responding to their babbling noises and bubble blowing.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's overall welfare is promoted adequately with good priority given to security of the premises, emergency procedures, safe collection of children by nominated persons and good hygiene practices. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe by learning road safety when out walking and following house rules indoors, for example, not throwing toys. The childminder promotes children's health needs by offering a balanced selection of snack foods This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including crackers and toast and fresh fruit, such as strawberries. The childminder adheres to children's dietary requirements and she stores food supplied by parents appropriately. This includes formula for babies who are not yet weaned. She provides physical exercise opportunities during outings to the park while her garden is out of bounds. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 18/04/2009

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 18/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8