Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 19 Feb 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 161777 Inspection date 19/02/2009 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in an easily accessible house in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. The family keep a chicken in the front garden. Children spend their time on the ground floor of the home, with the lounge, study and the upstairs being excluded from registration. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children who attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group and makes use of community facilities including parks and shops.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes many aspects of children’s welfare with success, ensuring that they are generally safe and secure though risk assessments do not include outings. Children are effectively engaged in most activities, although limited assessment and planning means that the needs of children are not always met. There is a close working partnership with parents which ensures they are kept informed of most aspects of their child’s care and learning. Some self-evaluation has been undertaken, though this is in the early stages and not all areas have been identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase support for the children's development of communication, language and literacy  develop procedures for assessing children's progress and use this information to plan activities that build on what they already know and can do and that reflect their interests

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/03/2009

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provision

The childminder’s home is sufficiently well organised to help children have some opportunities to become independent, for example, a selection of toys are easily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessible in toy baskets and drinks are within easy reach. However, the storage of books means that they are not readily available to children without additional support. Flexible daily routines allow children to experience a varied range of activities in the home and to develop their knowledge of the wider community. Records, policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare of children. The childminder has started to evaluate her service, though the system is not yet robust. As a result, assessments and planning are not fully established which means children do not always build on what they already know and can do and provision for children’s development of language is limited. This means that

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provision

children do not always make sufficient progress in their learning. The childminder is committed to ensuring her service is inclusive for all families. Parents are made welcome. They receive effective information about their child’s care, through feedback at the end of the day and a folder of useful information for parents is available for them to access. Strategies to involve parents as active partners in their child’s learning and development are not yet fully established.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through adult support children make satisfactory progress overall in their learning and development. The childminder has an acceptable understanding of how the children are developing, but does not routinely evaluate their progress in each of the areas of learning. Consequently, activities do not necessarily build on what children already know and can do. They enjoy their time with the childminder. Many of the experiences she offers them, such as playing musical instruments, are engaging and appropriate for their level of development. The childminder interacts warmly with the children and they appear comfortable in her care, freely approaching her if they want something. Support for children to extend their skills in communication through spoken and written language is less well provided for. Children behave well. The childminder encourages appropriate behaviour amongst the children, for example, by explaining they will need to share toys when playing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A behaviour management policy is in place and the childminder has written house rules, which are displayed in the play room.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The organisation of the childminder’s home provides children with some opportunities to become independent. A selection of good quality toys are accessible in toy baskets and drinks are within easy reach. However, the storage of books and mark making materials means that they are not readily available to children without additional support. The childminder organises a flexible daily routine, so that children can take part in a range of activities indoors and outings in the local area and further afield. For example, children enjoy going to the local parks and shops. This provides frequent opportunities to learn about the features of their local environment and the wider community. The premises are safe and suitable for use by minded children and the property is well maintained. The childminder has a written risk assessment for indoors and has been mindful of risks that could be present to children. Children also start to learn to keep themselves

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

safe when they are reminded to be careful as they rush together to the door. However, the nature and extent of the risks on the variety of outings undertaken has not been fully considered. 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? 3 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? 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?

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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 the last inspection 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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