Childminder in DevonOfsted inspection, 27 Aug 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 104317 Inspection date 27/08/2009 Inspector Julie Neal

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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 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 1988. She lives with her husband and three children in a modern semi-detached house in Honiton, Devon. The ground floor of the premises are predominantly used for minding, children mainly accessing upstairs to rest. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden. The family have two dogs, two cats, and keep fish.

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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 four children in this age group at different times. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Overnight care is not provided.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an extremely inclusive environment where their individual needs are met very well. The childminder's excellent processes of self-evaluation enable her to clearly identify areas for improvement that will have ongoing impact on outcomes for children. The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's changing needs, ensuring they make excellent progress in their learning and development, relative to their individual starting points.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop risk assessments that relate to specific outings and excursions

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provision

The childminder organises all aspects of her practice extremely well. This is because she makes excellent evaluations of what she does, identifying and promptly acting to make improvements that will benefit children. For example, although confident in her understanding of safeguarding issues, she identified that it had been a considerable time since she had undertaken specific training in this area. Therefore, she attended a course to update her knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures, and has put together an informative pack to share with parents to make them aware of safeguarding issues.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of the requirements of the Early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). All regulatory documentation is in place and is maintained very well. For example, risk assessments for the home are extremely clear and detailed, and the childminder reviews these completely each month. This results in safety procedures are assessed to ensure they continue to protect children as they grow and develop. As part of her evaluation process, the childminder has identified that risk assessments for outings could be developed further, and this is in progress. All policies and procedures are in writing, these are clear and are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to meet regulatory requirements, and these are shared with parents.

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provision

The childminder develops very strong relationships with parents, and works closely with them to ensure their children's individual needs are met well. Good settling in procedures and sharing of information ensure that the childminder has an excellent understanding of each child's starting point. Extremely good feedback to parents ensures they are consistently informed of, and involved in, their children's development and learning. For example, very effective use of diaries and photographs show children's engagement in activities, and identify how these support their individual development. The childminder works well with others involved in children's care, learning and development, for instance, children who may have specific learning, development, or medical needs. Some children receive the EYFS from other providers, the childminder strives to make links with these in order to ensure aims and objectives for individual children are consistent.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is supported extremely well. Children are safe and secure at all times, the childminder's stringent daily checks of all areas of her home and garden support her very thorough risk assessments. Children demonstrate a good understanding of personal safety issues. They take part in regular practices of the childminder's emergency evacuation procedures, in order that they know how to conduct themselves in the event of a fire. Walks are used effectively to teach children about road safety. Children enjoy a welcoming and child-centred environment where resources are presented to be inviting and accessible to children. Photographs of children and examples of their work that they have chosen to display on the walls show children that they are valued, and contribute to the child-friendly atmosphere.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Health promotion with children is excellent. Children have an extremely good understanding of the importance of personal hygiene. For example, they promptly go and wash their hands after they have sneezed because they understand that germs are spread this way. Children are keen to use soap when they wash their hands because the childminder provides liquid soap in a novelty dispenser shaped as a duck, which makes it fun. The childminder has clear and comprehensive policies and procedures that support children's health and well-being, and she implements these very well. Where children have medical requirements that may have impact on their welfare, learning and development, the childminder ensures she is extremely well informed regarding these children's specific needs. This means she is able to plan and organise activities and routines to enable their individual requirements to be met, thus promoting an inclusive environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Although the childminder does not provide meals and snacks herself, she promotes healthy eating and encourages parents to support her in this by providing nutritious lunchboxes. She ensures food is stored at the correct temperature, and that very young children have their meals in accordance with their home routines. She encourages children to drink plenty of water, she provides each child with an individual beaker which she refreshes regularly. Children show a very good understanding that they need to drink to be healthy. For example, a child talks to the childminder while having a drink of milk about milk being 'good for you' and that it 'grows your teeth and bones'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in their learning and development, relative to their individual starting points. This is because the childminder ensures she uses information from parents and her own observations to identify each child's interests and abilities, providing a thorough baseline assessment to work from. The childminder makes very good observations of children and uses these extremely effectively to plan activities that encourage their next steps in learning and development. Processes of monitoring children's progress provide a clear picture of their individual achievements, which are linked very well to the different areas of learning. Individual learning objectives are clearly identified in each child's monitoring records.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are enthusiastic learners who make consistently excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder involves children in planning activities, which results in them being extremely keen participants. For example, they talk to the childminder about the puppets they have planned to make later in the day and it is clear they are looking forward to this. The childminder makes good use of opportunities as they arise to extend and challenge children. For example, while they are reading a book together, a child confidently counts the number of people in a picture; the childminder asks the child to identify how many people in the picture are wearing glasses, which the child is able to do after a little thought. On another occasion a child is using a programmable toy which is not responding particularly well. The childminder asks the child if they can think of a reason why this may be, the child considers and responds, that it probably needs

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

new batteries; they go on to discuss which shops they could buy new batteries from when they go for a walk, and how many they will need. 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

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