Childminder in Devon

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 EY290106 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Joyce Bowler

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in Tiverton, Devon. The home is in a semi-rural setting and is within a short walk of schools and toddler group. The sitting room, kitchen/family room, bathroom facilities and one bedroom are used for childminding. There is a large enclosed garden with grass and paved areas suitable for play. The family have pet guinea pigs and fish in an indoor tank. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers overnight care for one child.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides children with welcoming and affectionate care in order that they are able to settle in happily and be able to learn and develop via a mix of play and everyday routines. Children's welfare needs are met exceptionally well. The childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure that she knows each child well and understands their individual needs. She demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement by her pro- active approach to self evaluation. She attends training, reflects on her own practice and takes action to maintain high standards of care and early years education.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop links with pre-schools to share children's development and learning records and to work together to support their learning.

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provision

The childminder organises her home, daily routines and documentation extremely well in order to provide children with a stimulating and interesting range of learning opportunities in a secure and safe environment. She monitors her provision continuously and uses this to produce written assessments of any risks or areas for improvement that she has identified. For example, when bushes in the garden need to be trimmed back and a wish list for extra outside play resources. She has begun a formal written evaluation on a document entitled 'How my childminding practice meets the Early Years Foundation Stage principles'. This includes details of her policies and procedures, observations, inventory of equipment and toys and training needs. She has enrolled on training for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observation and assessment in order to develop her current recording systems.

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provision

She has addressed both areas of improvement resulting from her last inspection which has resulted in additional safety measures for children. Her documentation is of a good quality and meets the needs of her registration on the Early Years Register as well as both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has established a verbal exchange of information with parents at drop off and collection times. She tailors her provision to children's individual needs by gathering vital information regarding healthcare, diet, interests and family circumstances. She also shares all written assessments and plans with parents. Sharing of information with other providers of childcare for the children who attend has not yet been established fully. She agrees behaviour management with parents and promotes good manners and cooperative play by creating a happy and relaxed family atmosphere. She is aware of her responsibilities regarding

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provision

safeguarding children and has up to date information on file which includes guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She has attended training to support her knowledge and understanding of child protection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates that she has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is using it to ensure that children's individual interests and learning needs are met. She has begun to record children's progress and to plan their activities in written progress assessments which are informed by her observations and supported by photographs. She uses these to write 'Plans for the future' for each child and involves parents and carers. She links plans and observations to the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as creativity and critical thinking. She shows that she has a good grasp of the planning cycle and how the system works. She has booked training to develop her skills with formal planning and assessment. Weekly plans show a good coverage of all six areas of learning and children are able to develop these during everyday play at the childminder's home and when on outings or at toddler groups. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

benefit from excellent levels of one to one care when the childminder offers play guidance and support by asking open questions and allowing children to take the initiative. For example, during role-play children lead on what happens next to the toy cat who is unwell. They take the childminder on an imaginary journey with an imaginary friend on the sofa with car seat belts made from scarves and build a den ready for snack time. The lack of self-consciousness during play shows how settled and confident children are in the care of the childminder and how well established this relationship is. The childminder puts good emphasis on children developing their personal, social and emotional skills. They have varied opportunities to express their ideas and feelings and to join in discussion as well as to learn to link sounds to letters. Stories and books figure largely in everyday routines. Children enjoy counting as part of day to day life. They are able to solve simple problems

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

such as how many chairs they need at the table for lunch time and how many grapes and pieces of toast are on each plate. Children develop their creativity through art and craft, singing, dancing, dressing up and role play. They have ample opportunity to enjoy physical play in the wonderful garden using toys and fixed play equipment and on walks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All aspects of children's welfare are met extremely well as the childminder focuses on the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters framework. She promotes excellent opportunities for children to enjoy and achieve, to have their health needs met and to play in safety. Children are encouraged to become happy members of their community, to respect the needs of others and to learn useful skills for the future. Excellent hygiene procedures are promoted by the childminder and children are learning to keep themselves healthy. For instance, they wash their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hands before eating and after using the toilet or messy play. The childminder adheres to children's dietary needs and provides healthy snacks which provide a good balance of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. This is also reflected in menus for evening meals which are cooked by the childminder. She is registered with the local Environmental Health department. The childminder has excellent safety awareness and carries out regular risk assessments of her home, garden and outings which are recorded. The childminder models good behaviour in order for children to learn to keep themselves safe, for example, they are reminded not to tie scarves tightly around their necks when dressing up. Emergency evacuation procedures are displayed and children practise the fire drill regularly. The childminder has carried out follow-up activities with children to ensure that they are not anxious about this and understand why these procedures

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are important. Full contact details are held by the childminder's husband in case of emergencies. Effective organisation underpins the success of the childminder's provision. This is demonstrated by the use of her 'portable office' which comprises a daily file containing the attendance register, emergency contacts, blank copies of accident and medication forms ready for use and her visitor's log. She has a good selection of resources which cover all age ranges minded and she supplements these by using the local toy library. The registration certificate is displayed. 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? 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 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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