Childminder in Swindon

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 EY234468 Inspection date 21/04/2009 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 since 1996. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 17 and 19 years in a rural area near Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, parks, toddler groups and a mobile library lie a short drive away. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family keep two rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register. She currently minds six children under five years. At the time of this inspection, the childminder has a variation to her conditions permitting her to care for an additional child in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 15 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

Children may use the entire house although in practice remain mostly downstairs. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children receive a very positive experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) when with this childminder. Exceptionally strong partnerships with parents and others, contribute significantly to children's individual needs being met and good progress in their learning and development being made. The childminder offers an inclusive setting, valuing all children as individuals and planning well overall, for their personal requirements. She places proper emphasis on training and self-evaluation, showing good capacity to improve her practice further.

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further?

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

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further?

 achieve a better balance between activities that children choose for themselves and those that are adult-led.

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provision

This experienced childminder offers a professional service, recognising that parents have individual needs as well as children. She establishes exceptional partnerships with them and others concerned with the children. Parents speak glowingly of the care she offers, saying that 'nothing is too much trouble' and they like the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suggestions made for helping their children's learning and development at home. The childminder liaises well with local pre-schools, discussing children's progress and taking a united approach.

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provision

The childminder reflects on her practice well, knowing where her strengths lie and identifying most areas for development, although she is still getting to grips with all requirements of the EYFS. She undertakes regular training and adapts her practice according to what she learns. Following a workshop on 'story bags', for example, she puts more gusto into reading stories in order to heighten children's interest. She is well organised, planning required training in good time, so obtaining places on popular courses, such as first aid training. She seeks parents' views on her provision and regularly visits the Ofsted website in order to keep abreast of new legislation and current advice.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded exceptionally well. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from unvetted persons and has all people in her household, over the age of 16 years, checked as being suitable to be with children. She keeps a suitable record of risk assessment and all required documentation, such as parental permissions, a daily record of attendance and medication records.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy their experiences in this childminder's care, receiving a broad and balanced programme of experiences that cover the early learning goals well. They busy themselves in choosing what they want to do from the large selection of suitable activities on offer, setting out the resources they need and asking the childminder for help if needed. Older children decide to dress up and pretend to be 'grannies and children', for example, playing extremely well together as their play evolves. This illustrates the excellent relationships that exist throughout the household, which stem from the childminder's good role model, clear expectations and positive example. Children are taught to be polite and to respect each other's needs. This allows everyone to play purposefully as they wish, learning whilst they do so.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows each child's capabilities and individual interests extremely well because she discusses their development frequently with parents and observes their play regularly. She assesses what children know and can do, setting suitable, achievable targets for their future learning and development. The childminder plans a good balance of indoor and outdoor learning; however, she is not completely secure in her knowledge of the EYFS, not realising there must be a balance between activities children choose for themselves and those that are adult-led. Currently, she places too much emphasis on the former with insufficient times planned when she takes the lead with specific learning intentions in mind, linked to children's individual learning needs. Despite this, children make quick progress in gaining skills that will help them in their future learning. This is because they follow her enthusiastic model and have a very positive attitude to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning, in which the childminder supports them well. She is particularly good at noticing opportunities to extend learning during spontaneous play and asking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pertinent questions to take children's understanding forward.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder meets the individual welfare needs of the range of children in her care, exceedingly well. She helps them learn about healthy living exceptionally well, encouraging children to spend commendable amounts of time outside each day, so they benefit from plenty of fresh air and energetic activity. The childminder uses her training from attending a food and kitchen hygiene course to store and cook food brought from children's homes appropriately. She serves it in line with parental wishes; for example, a pasta dish is served hot.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe, keeping alert to relevant teaching opportunities, which she uses well. Children learn not to touch animals when walking along country lanes and know they hold hands when exiting her vehicle. She identifies and minimises risks to children's safety extremely well having instigated regular 'fire drills' since the last inspection. She protects children, having a thorough understanding of her role and responsibilities, and recognising that knowledge about child protection needs to be updated regularly. 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? 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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