Childminder in North Somerset

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 EY271140 Inspection date 15/01/2009 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in a quiet residential area in Flax Bourton near Bristol. Minded children have access to all areas of the home except for the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden and a grassed area to the front of the property for outdoor play. Children regularly visit the local park, soft play area, swimming pool and toddler groups. The childminder escorts children to and from the local primary school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time. She currently has 15 children on roll; of whom 12 are in the early years age range. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are valued as individuals and their uniqueness celebrated within the family home. The environment is warm and inviting, encouraging children to be independent learners. The childminder has excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively promotes children's welfare, learning and development. Daily routines are used exceptionally well to challenge children's thinking and problem solving techniques. Positive relationships with parents contribute greatly to ensuring continuity in children's care enabling their individual needs to be effectively met. There are robust systems in place to monitor the provision and to continuously improve outcomes for 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?

 develop further the systems to record the hours children attend

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provision

Children are cared for by an experienced and dedicated childminder who is proactive in accessing relevant training in order to enhance her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as a safeguarding course. The childminder monitors her provision effectively through the use of self-evaluation and has been proactive in addressing areas for improvement, such as the provision of more varied healthy and nutritional snacks and meals. Her flexibility in meeting children's and family's needs is an attribute to the childminding service she provides. Her partnership with parents is excellent and there is a strong focus on ensuring that parents are well informed about her provision and their child's welfare and development. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the service provided and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 many positive comments have been received relating to the childminder being

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provision

The childminder organises her home effectively to encourage children's independence. They confidently move between the rooms accessing resources from an abundantly equipped playroom. The children are active learners and are very inquisitive, for instance a one-year-old thoroughly enjoys exploring the lounge regarding photographs and investigating a wooden frog musical instrument. The childminder has provided a warm and inviting environment where children are confident and happy. They have an excellent sense of belonging as they are valued as individuals, for instance artwork is effectively displayed so that each child can feel pride in their achievements.

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provision

All regulatory documentation is in place and underpins the excellent childminding service which is provided. The daily register records children's hours of attendance, however, it is not consistently completed when children arrive. Children are closely supervised and their welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's excellent knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder has a strong commitment to ensuring children's ongoing safety. She is very vigilant and ensures comprehensive risk assessments are completed, with older children's support, of the premises and any outings. Children are becoming fully aware of how to maintain their own safety through discussions and clear explanations from the childminder and involvement in regular evacuation drills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses daily routines effectively to provide children with a variety of learning opportunities in a safe and secure environment. The local environment is used exceptionally well to enhance children's learning and development. For example, the children show sustained interest as they construct a train track and manipulate trains around the track showing good problem solving skills as they think about why the battery operated train will not operate. After observing their play the childminder decides to take the children for a walk along the footpath to watch the trains. The children enthusiastically find their coats and enjoy the stimulation of discovering whose shoes belong to whom through the effective questioning by the childminder, such as 'this one belongs to someone wearing a striped top'; the children squeal with glee when they realise that it is theirs. During the walk children are encouraged to be active, for instance they enjoy climbing on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the benches and, with support, jumping off the end as they sing Humpty Dumpty. The childminder observes the children closely and has excellent knowledge of their interests and capabilities. These observations are used effectively to record children's achievements and to identify next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. They are fully involved in making choices about what they eat, for example, the youngest children decide what they would like in their sandwiches and, whilst waiting for them to be prepared in a scrupulously clean kitchen, use safety knives to chop their banana. Snack times are used exceptionally well to encourage children to identify the colour of their bowl and to count how many pieces of apples they have; they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged by the childminder to observe that adding one more piece of apple increases the count.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent knowledge of welfare requirements which ensures a high level of commitment to providing children with a safe and supportive environment where their needs are routinely met through effective practice. Robust systems are in place to ensure that accidents are dealt with effectively by the childminder who has a relevant first aid qualification. Policies and procedures are well written and reflect the very good childminding practices. Parental consent and notification ensures continuity in children's care and that they are provided with a stable environment which respects the wishes of the parents. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Any issues arising are dealt with sensitively by the childminder who distracts the children and encourages them to play co-operatively, for instance taking turns with the driver of the train. Older children are clear on expectations and boundaries and have been involved in creating meaningful house

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

rules. 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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