Childminder in GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 10 Jun 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 EY307994 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 was registered in 2005. She is on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to offer childcare before, during and after school and in school holidays. She lives with her husband and two sons, aged 12 and 13 years, in a four bedroom, detached house in a residential area of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The whole house is registered for childminding and children play mainly in the playroom, sitting room and in the enclosed, rear garden. The family has a dog as a pet. The childminder occasionally works with one of her three assistants. Of these, two have childcare qualifications and one is working towards a further qualification. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and, with an assistant, may care for eight children at any one time. She is currently minding nine children in the early years age group and also cares for children over eight years of age. The house is within

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Description of the childminding

easy walking distance of a park, pre-school, shops and soft-play centres. The childminder takes children to, and collects them from, a primary school. Operational links are in place with other early years providers. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in early years childcare and education. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and treasurer of a local childminder support group. She is an accredited childminder and is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children through recognising their uniqueness to provide an excellent inclusive, welcoming and caring service. Intensive organisation, drive and motivation of the childminder ensure children are happy, have positive experiences and thrive in a safe environment where their safety and health care is of the highest standard. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development as they are eager to be actively engaged in their choice of interesting play activities. The childminder works extremely closely with parents and providers to ensure that children's learning and welfare needs are fully met. A high level of reflection ensures that plans for the future are accurately targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and 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?

 continue development through training to foster children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is very well organised. All required documentation is clear and detailed and individual records are informative, thereby promoting outstanding quality of care and inclusive practice. Highly relevant, frequently reviewed policies and procedures relating to all aspects of children's welfare are fully implemented, including those promoting excellent support for their health, safety and economic well-being. Children are well safeguarded because the childminder is vigilant at all times. She has a good understanding of local information about procedures for protecting children. Her carefully considered risk assessments are comprehensive and updated to minimise hazards for children. The safe, spacious home is used effectively so that children can play cooperatively, alongside others or alone as they choose. Toys and books are visible to allow children to select these for their play to follow their own interests.

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provision

The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents. This means that they are fully informed about the provision and frequently consulted about children's welfare. Children highly benefit from the detailed, two-way communication so families are well included in their child's care and education. The childminder is sensitively proactive in developing links with the local pre-school and school to complement those provisions and effectively support children's progress. The childminder is highly committed to improving her knowledge and practice. She has most effectively evaluated strengths and further areas for improvement of outcomes for children and is highly involved in a self-support group of like-minded childminders to develop her provision. As a result, she considers developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage through various training situations, so she can evaluate children's achievements and further extend her

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provision

support for their progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very well supported to learn as the childminder demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This ensures they settle happily and have an excellent relationship with her. The childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play in ways that are highly appropriate to support and extend their development. Children extend their vocabulary on a daily basis through the ongoing, age-appropriate conversations. They are interested, motivated and involved by the childminder's well-developed questioning techniques that extend their knowledge and encourage them to think about their play. Children benefit highly from the childminder's use of spontaneous opportunities, for example, as they listen to bird song to recognise calls and name the birds. They benefit from free opportunities for indoor activities and long periods of outdoor play during which children are highly considerate and help each other on the wheeled toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The accessible learning environment provides excellent support for children's progress towards the early learning goals. Following the last inspection, children now have easy access to a very good range of toys and resources which are freely and safely available to them to promote choice. The space is well organised to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 allow small group and individual activities. Planned, purposeful play is highly encouraged through exploration, both in and out of doors, for example, as young children make marks with squirted water and are highly successful in growing foods, including strawberries, rhubarb and a variety of vegetables. An excellent balance of adult-led and child-led activities results in children being creative and thinking critically, for example, as they become immersed in their role play. The planning cycle is very effective so that each child receives an enjoyable and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

challenging experience across the areas of learning. The childminder uses her very close observation of children’s spontaneous play to plan in detail for their next steps in learning. The assessment, that is well supported by dated evidence, clearly shows progress so that pre-school children regularly appear to be learning at a year higher than their chronological age.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a highly effective approach to managing children's behaviour. She uses signing fluently to reinforce messages to younger children. She liaises closely with parents to reinforce consistent messages and focuses on positive praise and encouragement. As a result, children are considerate towards others by being polite, sharing toys and caring for younger ones. Children gain very good independence through being encouraged to dress, to care for their own belongings and to make decisions, for example, about an appropriate length of time to use technology equipment. The childminder promotes all aspects of children's welfare with success. This means that she ensures excellent learning about keeping safe and healthy lifestyles and helps children gain skills that contribute to their future economic well-being and which enable them to make a positive contribution and understand the wider world. This is well demonstrated through their play and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

communication as children eagerly explore ways of going on holiday, for example, by car. The welfare of the children is promoted effectively through the childminder's high level of commitment and in-depth understanding of related requirements and guidance. This is supported by well explained procedures and routines. For example, children learn to explain appropriate responses to different emergencies and carefully practise road safety. They are encouraged to learn from attempting new challenges and taking appropriate risks, such as when using a skateboard. Children receive close attention and individual support from the childminder so that they have a strong sense of security in order to succeed in a stimulating, welcoming environment. 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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