Childminder in Bath and North East 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 EY288346 Inspection date 30/01/2009 Inspector Michelle Tuck

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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 first registered in 2004 and is currently registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children in Midsomer Norton in Somerset. The house is accessed via a step at the front of the property. Children play on the ground floor of the premises, with bathroom and sleep facilities available. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home, where they are supported well and make good progress in their learning and development. They engage enthusiastically in a wide range of activities that sustain their interest well. Good attention is paid to meeting the individual needs of all children attending. The childminder has a strong commitment to improvement and enthusiastically accesses training and advice to support her continuous professional development and improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the systems for self-evaluation and monitoring of the provision to further enhance children's welfare and development.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. For example, she ensures that children are able to follow their familiar home routines for eating and sleeping during the day. A range of clear documentation underpins the childminder's good practice. Policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the service provided for their child.

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provision

Parents receive regular information about their children's care, learning and development. Daily diaries are used effectively to exchange information that supports the childminder and parents in working together to meet each child's individual needs. Informal discussions take place regularly to further develop good relationships with parents, and parents have opportunities to view their child's learning diary. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities and children's welfare is given high priority. She has a good awareness of the importance of putting children's interests first and has a range of documentation in place to support her in taking appropriate action in the event of any concerns. The childminder is very committed and has a positive attitude to improvement. There is currently no formal system in place for self-evaluation, although she has begun to

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provision

look at ways to implement this. This small gap in her monitoring system does not have a significant impact on the children and the progress they make.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air, where they get regular exercise and develop their physical skills. They eat regular, nutritious meals and are encouraged to drink water throughout the day. They enjoy snacks of fresh or dried fruit to keep their energy levels up between meals. Children also learn to follow good hygiene routines as they are supported in washing their hands thoroughly before eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept safe and secure in the childminder's care as she carries out daily checks of the premises and resources to ensure that appropriate steps have been taken to protect children from harm. They learn to take responsibility for their own safety as they develop awareness of road safety when out and about and they practise fire drills so that they can evacuate the building quickly in the event of an emergency. The childminder is extremely safety conscious, for example, she supervises young children carefully when eating to ensure they do not choke or fall off their child sized chair. The door is kept locked when children are present, however the key is left in the lock within the reach of children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to engage in a wide range of challenging and enjoyable activities that sustain their interest well. For example, they enjoy playing shops, taking turns to use the cash register and counting the coins. They are encouraged to initiate their own play, in addition to participating in activities the childminder has planned for them. The childminder knows each of the children well and interacts sensitively with their play to support their progress and learning. She observes and evaluates their achievements to help her plan activities that build on what they already know and can do. For example, as children play the childminder encourages them to practise their skills in identifying familiar colours or encourages them to count how many items they have.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing learning diaries to record children's progress and learning, which includes photographs of them at play, linking them to the relevant area of learning. These records are used to form discussions with parents about their children's development, and to track their progress. 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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