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 EY248708 Inspection date 29/01/2009 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five years in Ludgershall. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children have access to the ground floor of the property and use a first floor bedroom for sleeping. An enclosed garden is available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two minded children in the early years age range at any one time. She is currently caring for four children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children. She supports children who speak English as an additional language. She attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has a hamster and two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a qualified Nursery Nurse and an accredited network childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers an outstanding, inclusive early years provision where children's care and learning needs are consistently well met. She knows her minded children extremely well, understands their differing needs and respects their individual preferences. Children make excellent progress because the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's developmental stage and offers a wide range of stimulating, age appropriate activities in order to promote the next steps in their learning. She works very closely with the parents to ensure a continuity of approach between home and the provision. The childminder is constantly reviewing her practice and has an excellent capacity to further improve the quality of the welfare, learning and development offered to the children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 increasing opportunities for parents to share their own ideas of ways to develop the effectiveness of the provision.

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provision

The childminder is a well qualified, highly motivated and very skilled early years practitioner. She is regularly undertaking training in order to enhance her capabilities. She is constantly evaluating and then re-evaluating her practice, although not all parents are currently involved in supporting the development of the provision. She knows her strengths and immediately seeks to rectify any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 perceived weaknesses. She has a secure understanding of her important role in protecting children. She knows the correct procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. The childminder has a very strong partnership with parents. They are provided with detailed written information about her policies and procedures prior to children entering her care. Parents are kept up to date through daily diaries, regular informal discussion and ongoing access to the children's

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provision

scrapbooks. In addition, parents have planned opportunities to review their child's assessments and to discuss their child's progress with the childminder. They are actively encouraged to share what they know about their child's progress and achievements at home, to help inform the childminder's assessments. They are invited to become involved in their child's learning, such as by attending African drumming sessions at Andover library or by completing 'Wow' achievement cards for insertion into their scrapbooks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident, settled and very much 'at home' within the provision. They are encouraged to be active independent learners as they make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, one child decides to explore the Brio train track, before making a cup of tea in the role-play area and later investigating electronic musical instruments. The children benefit from the childminder's skilful involvement in their play and the way she gently extends learning opportunities. For example, when the children are examining giant pasta shells, she suggests they find additional tools with which to transfer the materials between containers. Children behave well and are gaining social skills. They are learning to share resources through practical means, such as by taking turns to place soft stuffed animals into a puppet's mouth whilst taking part in the interactive story telling of 'The old woman who swallowed a fly'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder offers a balanced programme of adult led and child initiated activities and ensures children have regular chances for learning outdoors. They visit Porton Pets, buy fruit whilst shopping in Andover market, attend music sessions at Jo Jingles, go to the library and play in the nearby park. She undertakes regular, written, dated observations of the children which she uses to assess their stages of progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and to then plan for the next steps in each child's learning. The childminder also completes Learning Journey scrapbooks for each child. These contain photographs of the children engaged in activities, comments from parents regarding their achievements at home, examples of children's artwork and reports following meetings between parents and the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and sleep within a provision that is very clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. There is an extensive range of measures to promote children's safety and to help avoid accidents. The premises are secure, regular risk assessments are completed, gates prevent children's unsupervised access to the stairs, foam protectors stop children trapping their fingers and socket covers are placed in exposed electric points. In addition, children are gaining an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They tidy away toys in the garden after play, thus reducing trip hazards, take part in regular emergency evacuation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 drills and practise road safety whilst on outings. Children learn good health practices through the childminder's excellent role modelling and measures such as drying their hands on their own named towels before eating. The childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understands the importance of offering the children a balanced healthy diet and of making sure children can choose from a range of healthy options. Any dietary needs or parental wishes are discussed as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any requirements accommodated. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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.

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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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