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 145240 Inspection date 05/05/2009 Inspector Penny Wood

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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 for nearly thirty years and lives in Wilton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is a courtyard available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of which three may be in the early years age range. She currently has eight children on roll aged between one and 11 years old. Of these, six are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is good. Children are very settled within the childminder’s homely environment. She knows the children well, with some children having been in her care since an early age. The childminder values the uniqueness of each child and works well with parents to ensure children’s individual needs are met. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to address the recommendations from the last inspection in order to improve her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the information detailed within policies and procedures in order to reinforce knowledge and understanding of their content and use to inform practice  continue to develop ways to evaluate practice to ensure the ongoing development and improvement of provision

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment to ensure it identifies when and by whom the aspects of the environment have been checked. 19/05/2009

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provision

The childminder adopts basic strategies when evaluating her practice. For example, she has recently begun to meet with a development worker for support in reviewing her practice. Although the childminder has initiated detailed policies and procedures, she is not familiar with their content or where to find information contained within. As a result, they are not effectively used as a working document to guide practice or to reinforce her provision. The childminder actively maintains This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her first aid certificate and has a good attitude to furthering her knowledge through additional training within childcare and education.

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provision

Children benefit from the strong trusting relationships forged between their parents and the childminder. Good systems for sharing information between both parties ensure parents remain informed of their child’s time in the childminder’s care. In return, the childminder ensures she is equipped with clear information about the child, which supports her ability to meet children’s individual needs. The childminder has established working relationships with other providers that the children attend. As a result, she is able to adopt a consistent approach in areas such as behaviour management, and relays relevant information to parents on behalf of the other provider.

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provision

Satisfactory systems promote children’s safety. For example, the childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues, although is not confident within the referral procedure, even though her policy clearly identifies the steps to follow. The childminder reviews safety when on outings and within the home environment in order to reduce hazards. However, the required written assessment does not meet with regulatory requirements in terms of recording who carried out the assessment and when.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and at ease with the childminder who is attentive and adopts a very gentle and calm approach. Children are developing high levels of confidence and self-esteem because they receive consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder celebrates children’s achievements. For example, when they manage to fix pieces of train track together. Children behave well and play well both alongside each other and as a group during activities. They obviously enjoy playing games all together, such as a pop up dragon game, cooperating well in taking turns and becoming excited when the dragon pops up. Children enjoy chatting to the childminder about their play and experiences. The childminder promotes children’s acquisition of new language. For example, by naming fruits such as passion fruit on pictures and encouraging children to repeat the new words.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress within their development because they experience opportunities that cover all areas of learning. The childminder refers to the practice guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage as a reference guide when monitoring development. Children enjoy a good balance of adult led opportunities and child initiated play. They enjoy making choices, such as whether to play with the good range of available toys or to participate in an adult led activity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides activities that are based on children’s interests. For example, when displaying an interest in bugs, children went outside on a bug hunt, looked at bugs in books and on the internet. Children are engaged and keen participants because the childminder follows their interests. During opportunities, children benefit because they are able to participate at their individual levels of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ability and face appropriate challenge accordingly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow appropriate hygiene routines, which reduce the spread of germs and infections. For example, they wash their hands after visiting the toilet and clean with baby wipes before eating. Snack times are social events when they all sit together at the table to eat. Children are encouraged to use good manners, such as asking to get down from the table when finished and saying please and thank you. Opportunities to visit play parks enable children to benefit from being outside and to use a wider range of equipment to promote their physical skills. When away from the home, the childminder encourages children to learn about safety through appropriate strategies, such as crossing the road carefully and being wary of strangers. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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: 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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