Childminder in Wiltshire

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 161686 Inspection date 03/02/2009 Inspector Karen Louise Prager

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two teenage children. They live in a detached house in Woodshaw, Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire, within walking distance to shops, schools, parks and the doctors. The downstairs of the home is registered for use for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. The family have a goldfish as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She 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. The childminder offers a safe, secure, well-organised, inclusive provision that supports children's welfare and learning needs. She knows the minded children very well; arranging a varied programme of child initiated and adult led activities, both inside and out that encourage the children to be active independent learners. She completes assessments of the children's progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage and regularly shares information with parents. The sharing of information with other providers is not yet in place. The childminder has made some effective improvements since the last inspection and is committed to improving her practice further, although she does not have robust systems in place to identify areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 liaise with other settings attended by the children in order to complement each other in children's learning and development  develop reflective practice to ensure provision for children continues to improve

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provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards developing the quality of her provision and seeks training to support improvements. Some improvements to the provision have been carried out to enhance children’s safety, for example a thorough risk assessment is now recorded providing a clear opportunity for tracking the level and reduction of risk. The provision is well arranged to encourage children to be active, independent learners. Required documentation is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 correctly maintained, securely stored and immediately available to support children's welfare. Detailed risk assessments are in place and parents are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures that guide her practice as part of the registration process. Parents speak highly of the service the childminder offers. The childminder liaises with parents on a regular basis with regard to their

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provision

children's achievements. The childminder regularly assesses her provision informally and has identified several training courses that will update her knowledge appropriately. Informal planning arises from the childminder’s good knowledge of the children, though the records of observation and subsequent assessment and planning are not monitored to ensure all areas of learning are sufficiently promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and relax within a provision that is clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. There is a designated play area where the colourful wall displays create a welcoming environment. The childminder provides a range of resources in large toy boxes for children to self–select. Additional toys are set out with particular children’s needs in mind. For example, various toys are set out on the floor ready for exploration and the childminder responds in a timely fashion when new activities are requested. This effectively supports children’s development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows her minded children very well. She has a clear understanding of their interests and differing abilities. All are treated as individuals and always fully included. She gently talks to children as they play to support their learning, often recapping on past experiences. The childminder plans a range of activities both indoors and outside. Children enjoy varied play activities within the home. All children are encouraged to be active, independent learners, and enjoy investigating a variety of toys. They explore the texture of play dough and choose different shaped cutters for the dough machine. Children develop spatial awareness and reasoning as they construct puzzles, learning to recognise edge pieces. Children enjoy looking at a range of books with the childminder. They develop a wider understanding of the world as they link the snowy weather they experience to the habitat of animals

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

around the world. When in the local community the children enjoy meeting with others at a range of activities including toddler groups and soft play activities. They benefit from the fresh air as they visit local parks and shops. The childminder has a good understanding of the children’s development and undertakes some written observations and assessments of the children. She uses these as evidence of their learning journey and as a means of recognising the next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder acts as a good role model and uses effective strategies to promote children's positive behaviour. She has an effective understanding of child protection issues and knows her important role in safeguarding children. As children grow they increasingly take part in daily health promotion routines such as washing their hands before eating and drying their hands on paper towels, thereby helping them to learn good hygiene procedures. Through age appropriate explanations children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children benefit This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from the childminder’s promotion of healthy eating. Close liaison with parents ensures that individual dietary needs are met. The childminder works closely with parents, discussing changing needs, as the children grow and develop. 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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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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