Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 EY372151 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Carole Elizabeth Price

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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 2008. She lives with her partner, and their five children aged from 14 years to one year in a semi-detached home in the Elmbridge area of Gloucester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years and three children over eight years at various times across the week. She is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family have a dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides very effectively for the children in her care. She is very enthusiastic and motivated in her work and uses this effectively to ensure children have positive experiences and are well cared for. Children are happy and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child and information from parents to successfully meet individual welfare and learning needs. Self-assessment and reflection of practice has identified areas for development and assisted in the plan for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure assessment records are dated and effectively analysed to show children's next steps of learning and the progress they are making.  ensure risk assessments include all furniture in the house such as the glass fronted cupboard and that hazards are addressed appropriately.  develop links with other providers to ensure the service complements the child's learning.

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provision

The childminder has good organisational skills. Clear policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. Space is well organised within the home to provide areas for different activities. This allows children choice of where to play and whether they choose to play cooperatively, alongside others or alone. Resources and activities are appropriately stored to allow children to choose and select for themselves. The childminder has considered the self-evaluation form which has helped her to identify strengths and areas for development. This includes increasing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable her to extend her practices further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents is highly valued and good information is shared regarding the children's needs. For example, the childminder and parents discuss a settling in

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provision

routine which is beneficial to all. Likes and dislikes, routines and dietary needs are also thoroughly discussed. Sharing of information is ongoing through clear information on the parent notice board, photographs, daily sheets, progress records and regular conversations. Initial links with other providers have been made, sharing day to day information about the children, however, this does not include their learning and developmental progress.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding issues. She is aware of indicators of abuse and has a clear written policy stating the action she will take. She knows how to record incidents and has all local contacts readily available should she need them. Risk assessments of activities, outings and routine trips to the local school are in place and thoroughly recorded. Records which identify hazards in the home are well documented but fail to identify the minor risk from a glass fronted cabinet in the hallway. All required documentation is clear and relevant, and individual records are informative.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home. They benefit from the childminder's motivation, enthusiasm, and genuine care and attention. The environment is well planned with appropriate resources for the children attending. The childminder is very aware of child development and has a good understanding of the areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands how different activities help the children to learn and develop, and she organises activities and resources so that all areas of learning are appropriately addressed as they play. She knows the children in her care very well, carries out clear observations and records their progress, linking this to the areas of learning. She uses her knowledge to plan for the next steps in children's learning. For example, organising pictures of different faces as babies start to notice eyes and noses. This is not clearly linked to the assessment records.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident, they are learning to play alongside each other and take turns as they play with the balls and share books together. Older children enjoy helping to prepare a snack. They learn about weighing and measuring and how things change as they take part in cooking activities. Children learn to count as they play with bricks, balls and count the eyes on the dolls. Books are easily accessible to all children who enjoy them together with the childminder or alone for a quiet time. Creative activities are readily available to children to take part at their own level. For example, a sticking activity can be enjoyed by all, even those younger children who just want to spread or play with the glue, while more able children take pride in making something which they choose. Daily outings and time in the garden, enables the children to learn about the outside world. They enjoy their walk to school, investigating mud or feeding the birds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular drinks and nutritious well balanced food. Children and the childminder sit together for snacks and meals to ensure they have social This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences and can join in conversations about events during the day. Hygiene routines are well established and children are given an explanation as to why they should wash their hands before eating. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they talk about road safety when out and about, practise emergency evacuation and listen to explanations from the childminder, for example, why something like throwing toys may hurt them or others. 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 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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