Gerrans School

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 142662 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 has been registered to care for children since 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, 12 and 15 years, in Yeovil, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which includes a sitting room, kitchen and toilet facility. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. All areas are easily accessible. The family have a dog and two rabbits to which the children have supervised access. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for up to six children, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll, four of these are in the early years age range. The childminder receives advice and support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, safe and settle quickly within the welcoming family home. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's individual needs which helps her to provide good quality care to each of them. Learning and development opportunities are usually appropriate to children's ages and interests to support them in making progress. The childminder monitors her own performance and attends regular training which helps her to develop her own skills and knowledge and keep up-to-date with relevant childcare practices.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to build on the systems to monitor children's progress and plan play opportunities which reflect children's interests to further promote thier learning and development

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provision

Generally clear and effective policies and procedures are followed to safeguard children. The childminder is confident about child protection procedures and what she should do in the event of a concern. Children's ongoing health and safety is well-supported through the procedures and practices followed by the childminder and the children. Detailed health and safety checks are completed regularly and the childminder is vigilant about safety throughout the day taking action to minimise risks to children. For example, plastic coins are quickly removed from the play shopping till to prevent any accidents due to the age of the children using it. The childminder devotes her time to supporting the children, ensuring they are very well supervised at all times.

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provision

The childminder is proactive in accessing training and workshop opportunities to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help her to develop her own skills. For example, she is updating her first aid training currently to ensure she can confidently support children's welfare in the event of a minor accident. She evaluates her own practice well, and has introduced questionnaires for parents to gain their thoughts and opinions. This helps to ensure that she continually adapts and improves the service she offers to children and their families.

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provision

Good partnerships are established with parents and carers which helps to ensure children are cared for according to their individual needs. Information is shared daily through diaries for the youngest children helping to promote consistency. The childminder always allows time for discussion when children arrive and leave and keeps parents informed by using text messages during the day. Parents are provided with information about the childminding facility and also about how the childminder supports children's learning through use of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This helps to ensure parents are well informed and make appropriate choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of children's developing needs and provides them with a broad and interesting range of activities and play opportunities. The system used to monitor children's progress and record their interests is not sufficiently linked to the planning of activities. This means that at times, activities do not always capture children's attention or involvement to fully support them in their learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is actively involved with the children as they play. She talks to them enthusiastically as they try to fit the puzzle pieces together, extending children's understanding and language as they talk about the animals they see. Children have lots of opportunities to make choices. Resources which are appropriate to the age of children attending are placed to allow them to help themselves. Children attend local toddler group sessions, where they have opportunities to mix with other children and learn social skills. They enjoy regular outings to the park where they are able to use a range of large pieces of equipment to develop physical skills. Children also have many opportunities to use the garden. Here they use the equipment such as the see-saw and trampoline and benefit from being outside in the fresh air.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident within the setting due to the childminders sensitive approach towards their needs. They understand the daily routines and feel secure within the consistent expectations the childminder shares. This helps the children to play well together and learn how to manage their own behaviour. Children are learning about safety as they take part in daily routines such as walking to school or the park. They understand about road safety and also participate in practising the emergency evacuation procedures, ensuring they know what to do in the event of a fire. Children enjoy helping in the garden, and sometimes plant seeds to grow their own plants and vegetables. This helps them to develop a positive attitude towards healthy living. 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: 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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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