Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 EY263996 Inspection date 14/01/2009 Inspector Jenny Read

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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 since 2003 and may provide care all year round for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She currently cares for five children in the early years age group throughout the week. All children currently attend on a part-time basis. There are no children currently attending within the compulsory or voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children attend various childcare groups during the week.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children of eight and 12 years in the Churchdown area of Gloucester. The accommodation is arranged over three floors. The main areas used for the childminding are the dedicated play room, open-plan kitchen/dining area and downstairs toilet. The upstairs sitting room is used for sleeping children. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outside play. There is suitable access to the setting. The family has a dog. The childminder holds the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education at Level 3 and has completed the Quality First Childminding quality assurance scheme at Level 2.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual needs are met to a high standard by the childminder who is proactive in ensuring she has a good knowledge of the individual needs of the children in her care. Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has clear and intelligent understanding of each child's learning needs. Planning is securely based on observation and assessment, which means that appropriate and well-balanced learning experiences based on children's interests and learning needs are well implemented. The childminder promotes many aspects of children's welfare with success and takes effective steps to ensure outcomes for children are continually improved. Competent monitoring and evaluation of the quality of provision enables the childminder to implement appropriate improvements and good account is taken of recommendations made through inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the links with other settings children attend to encourage the sharing of information and to promote a consistent approach to children's development  develop systems for sharing information with parents about their children's development and learning  continue to develop the routines for hand washing to help children learn healthy toileting practices This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children play comfortably in the welcoming, dedicated play room displaying their pictures and photographs to observe and talk about. The carpeted play space is well organised and the broad assortment of books and play materials are displayed clearly to promote children's independent learning. Children's ideas and choices are valued and respected as the childminder is skilful in encouraging children's involvement in planning their own play, successfully promoting their inclusion. Flexible daily routines in addition to varied outings and visits, such as to the shops, library and local parent and toddler groups, allow children to experience a range of activities in the home and to develop their knowledge of the wider community.

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provision

The childminder is positive, highly committed to the children and enjoys her job. She is beginning to utilise the self evaluation process, attends regular training and meets with other childminders to gain valuable skills and new ways of evaluating her practice to help drive improvement. This results in a responsive service for children and parents. Through the process of reflection, the childminder recognises the value of developing her current basic knowledge of safeguarding procedures to protect children from harm and has plans to retrain. She wishes to enhance her good awareness of food hygiene to extend her knowledge of nutritious, well- balanced menus for children and needs to develop systems for sharing useful information with other settings children attend.

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provision

Overall, all records including children and parents' information are stored securely and used effectively to promote children's welfare. Parents are made to feel welcome and receive good information about the setting and their children's care, through the parent pack, feedback at the end of each day and daily diaries outlining children's individual care routines. Children take photographs and their pictures home to share with their parents. However, children's informative assessment records are presently not shared to ensure parents are well informed about their child's progress and they are able to support their play and learning at home. Links with other settings children attend have not been developed to date to share information and support progression and continuity of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and enjoy coming to the setting. They are making good progress in their play and learning because the childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage development matters. She is very aware of children's interests and skilfully guides children's play to extend it further, knowing instinctively when to join in and when to observe. Consequently, children receive purposeful support in their play to challenge their learning and development. For example, children learn to problem solve with sensitive guidance when finding the correct jigsaw shapes. Resources are clearly displayed in low-level storage units enabling the children to help themselves, actively encouraging them to make choices, lead their own play and become confident learners. Children enjoy 'special quiet time' with the childminder throughout the day enabling them to have quality one-to-one, sharing books,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talking and playing games together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a good balance of child-led and adult-led activities that inspire their interests and stimulate their learning. They start to dance on hearing their favourite nursery rhymes and songs in the background and avidly join in with the actions and known words. Introducing a selection of musical instruments from around the world helps to challenge and extend their play further. The children show curiosity when experimenting with various painting techniques, modelling with household recyclable materials and making shapes with the playdough. They laugh with excitement when successfully pressing the buttons on the electronic toys and watch with anticipation the effect of their actions. They spend long periods dressing up with the childminder smartly providing a narrative and making very good use of questions to encourage and extend children's ideas. Modelling of language and introducing new words, such as butterfly, button and castanets

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encourages children's language skills and individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a sufficiently safe, secure environment because the childminder is vigilant and implements practical security measures and risk assessments. As a result, the childminder is very aware of potential hazards, such as the swing not being secured to the ground, therefore closely supervises children's use. Children learn to keep themselves safe through monthly practise of the escape plan, clear and frequent explanations from the childminder about potential hazards and by regularly helping to tidy away their toys to prevent tripping.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident in their surroundings because clear focus is given to promoting children's independence. Children collect their shoes and coats to play outside, help themselves to their cup of water when they are thirsty and choose their individual towel for hand washing each day. Children wash their hands after outside play and before meal times, although hand washing after nappy changing is yet to be introduced to raise children's awareness of healthy toileting routines and practices. Children benefit from healthy, nutritious home-cooked food in good quantities. Food provided by parents is stored and served appropriately. Children enjoy daily opportunities to be active in the outdoor environment, developing co- ordination and control as they excitedly find the bubbles to pop, taking it in turns on the swing and practising throwing and kicking the balls. They excitedly join in their 'Wiggle dance', stretching, jumping, wriggling and moving their body in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

different ways as they recall parts of the song, whilst laughing and having fun together. 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? 2 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: 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

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children from abuse and neglect 11/03/2009  devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints 11/03/2009  make copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures available to parents 11/03/2009

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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 11/03/2009 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 that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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