Childminder in Swindon

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 EY289690 Inspection date 24/02/2009 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 2004. She lives with her partner and 14-year-old son in Abbey Meads, Swindon. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time, with a maximum of three being in the early years age range. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is currently caring for children who speak English as an additional language. She walks children to and from local amenities and schools. The family has two cats and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers an inclusive early years environment where each child is valued and respected as an individual. The provision is well arranged to enable children to be active independent creative learners. Children progress because the childminder plans a wide range of stimulating activities that follow children's interests and help to promote their individual learning. The childminder understands her strengths and areas for development, such as the assessment system, and has a good capacity to further improve the quality of the care and learning offered to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the record of risk assessments to include outings  develop the assessment system to ensure it includes all aspects of the curriculum and involves input from parents and other key early years providers. Use the information to identify children's progress and to plan their next steps.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced and capable early years professional. She is a reflective practitioner with a good appreciation of her strengths and areas for development. She has a positive attitude towards self-improvement and regularly attends targeted training in order to develop her skills and professional knowledge. The childminder has a clear understanding of her vital role in protecting children and knows the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child. There are effective procedures in place to ensure parents understand her child protection responsibilities, prior to a child entering her care. The childminder has a very positive relationship with the parents and has a keen appreciation of the importance of working together and of meeting parents' wishes. They are kept up to date with information about children's progress and are given daily diaries to aid

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provision

communication links. However, parents are not invited to contribute to assessments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder offers a provision that is warm, clean and well maintained. Colourful wall displays of children's art work and photographs of the children engaged in activities help to create a welcoming environment for parents and their children. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of promoting the children's good health and of reducing the risk of cross contamination. She acts as a good role model, cleaning her hands after wiping a toddler's runny nose and ensuring children use separate towels when hand drying. There is a range of measures to help support children's safety. Fire drills are regularly practised, gates prevent children's unsupervised access to the stairs or kitchen, and the premises are kept secure. However, whilst a record of risk assessments is maintained for all aspects of the house, there are no assessments for the outings the children undertake.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children appear self-assured and very much 'at home' within the provision. They are encouraged to be active independent learners. Children and are able to help themselves to a wide range of age appropriate resources that are attractively displayed to encourage self-exploration. The children have a very positive relationship with the genuinely caring childminder and approach her spontaneously for hugs and cuddles. She offers a wide range of age appropriate opportunities for children, both within the house and outdoors. For example, they visit Town Gardens, go to soft play centres, attend toddler groups and make regular trips to the library. The childminder offers a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. She undertakes written, dated observations and assessments of the children, which are linked to Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This information, together with photographic evidence, is collated into children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

individual files and used to plan for the next steps in children's development. However, the assessments do not always effectively identify children's stages of development or cover all aspects of the curriculum. The childminder is not linking with another early years provision attended by a minded child, to help inform her assessments. 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? 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?

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register (Procedure for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 24/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register 24/03/2009 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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