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

p.1

Unique reference number EY299320 Inspection date 10/03/2009 Inspector Shirley Ann Jackson

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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years in Longhope, Gloucestershire. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register. There are currently eight children on roll aged from 18 months to three years. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and cares for school age children. She drives to the local school to collect children. The family has two dogs and two cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder meets the needs of all children by recognising them as unique and offering care and education which is tailored to them as individuals. She supports children to enable them to take part in experiences and activities which interest and challenge them. This helps all children to make good progress in their learning and development. Children's welfare is effectively promoted by the childminder, ensuring their safety and well- being. Effective links with parents and carers help to keep them fully informed of their child's progress, however links with other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage are in their infancy. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice to identify her strengths and areas for development.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 build links with other settings to ensure that all adults who interact with the child can contribute to the assessment process

p.3

provision

The childminder is well organised. She uses the available space within her home effectively to encourage children to learn and develop. Children use the childminder's sunroom and kitchen depending on which activities they are enjoying. All required documentation is in place to meet all of the children's needs and to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. These are all well maintained and stored confidentially. The childminder has conducted a rigorous risk assessment of all areas of her home, garden and for all outings taken with the children. This ensures that children are safe at all times and that all areas are safe for them to use. Some written policies and procedures are in place and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 these reflect the childminder's daily practice. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect and is aware of the procedure to

p.3

provision

follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. She works with parents to ensure they are aware of her procedures for children who are ill to help to prevent the spread of infection. These procedures help to safeguard children and to promote their health and well-being.

p.4

provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. When parents first approach the childminder she shares her folder containing details of her training and verbally shares her policies and procedures. Information for each child's individual needs is gathered in a 'communication passport' which parents complete when they first start. Ongoing information is then shared through a variety of ways, such as, daily diaries, informal feedback at the end of the day and sharing children's progress files. This two-way flow of information helps to keep parents involved and informed. The childminder has obtained parental consent to share information with other settings which children attend, but these links have not yet been forged.

p.4

provision

The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and practice. She has only just started to use self-evaluation as a means of identifying her strengths and areas for development. For example, she has enquired about a training course which would extend and develop her knowledge and skills. The recommendation raised at her last inspection has been fully addressed, showing a commitment to improvement.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's detailed knowledge of their individual needs. They are happy, settled and have warm, secure relationships with the childminder. This secure relationship enables children to become confident and curious to try out new experiences and activities. The childminder plans purposeful play, indoor and outdoors, based on the children's interests. This ensures that each child is suitably challenged by the learning experiences offered. Systems are in place to observe and assess the children as they play. Some observations are supported by photographs and examples of the children's work and are linked to areas of learning. Children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted as the childminder involves them in daily routines, such as, picking grapes from the stalks to be washed before snack and trying to put on a protective top before painting.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's involvement and interaction in their play. She is also confident to step back and let the children take the lead in their own play. Young children feel safe and build relationships with the childminder, coming back to her for reassurance. Children form friendships with other children attending, for example, cuddling one another and playing happily together. They demonstrate a sense of pride in their own achievements, saying 'look at my picture' and 'look at my house' when they had finished painting. Children develop a love of books as they listen to stories with increasing attention and regularly enjoy visits to the library. They respond to simple instructions and use vocabulary focused on people that are of particular importance to them. For example, children 'talk' to mummy and daddy on the toy telephones. Children's language is fostered This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

through conversations with the childminder, who listens carefully to their requests and responds appropriately. Children's maths skills are promoted through everyday routines, such as, counting how many people are present. They confidently talk about size, shape and pattern as they play. Children learn about the natural world as they enjoy walks around the countryside behind the childminder's home. Here they gather leaves and fir cones which are explored. They also gather fruit which is then used for cooking activities. Children's creativity and imagination are fostered as they enjoy taking part in role play to recreate familiar scenes, such as, ironing and making cups of tea.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being are effectively promoted. They have daily opportunities to be active and to enjoy the fresh air. The childminder has wet weather clothing which allows the children to explore her garden even in poor weather. Here they enjoy a range of resources to develop their large physical skills. Children are offered a healthy and nutritious range of snacks and meals. Drinks are freely accessible to the children during the day. Well established routines for hand washing and nappy changing, ensure children learn about personal hygiene. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they regularly carry out emergency evacuation drills and learn about road safety through play. The childminder promotes positive behaviour with her calm and friendly manner. The children follow this example and their behaviour is good. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

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? 2 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? 2

p.6

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?

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: Met

p.7

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

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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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