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

p.1

Unique reference number EY262448 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Barbara Walters

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and 12 years in the town of Keynsham, near Bristol. The whole house is used for child minding and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family have two pet cats and two cockatiels. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of Keynsham childminding group and the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a positive environment where children are happy and secure and making some progress in their learning. The childminder organises her home to promote children's opportunities to freely access toys and resources. She is committed to developing her practice through continued training, to further improve her quality of care for the children and to ensure the needs of all children are met. The childminder's home provides a safe child-centred environment. Risk of accidents are minimised during indoor and outdoor activities because the childminder identifies potential hazards.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure planning builds on what children know and can do to ensure they make continous progress towards the early learning goals  develop the outdoor area to support children's development and learning

p.3

provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of caring for children and she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. The childminder gives a high priority to keeping children safe and has good precautions in place to protect children, for example, children's records are well recorded and signed by parents. She has developed a thorough risk assessment of the home and outings, which includes actions she has taken to eliminate risks for the individual children in her care. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the local authority child protection procedures. The childminder shows a commitment to training, for example, she has recently attended training on child protection, the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and children's communication. She is beginning to evaluate her practice as she has completed a written evaluation and

p.3

provision

is aware of how she can continue to develop children's care and learning, for example, developing the use of observations to plan for individual children. The childminder is a member of the local childminder's group and uses the meetings to help keep her up-to-date with any changes in childcare. She has addressed the recommendations from her last inspection, using the knowledge gained to improve outcomes for children, for example, child enjoy learning about Chinese new year through making brightly coloured masks and eating noodles.

p.4

provision

The childminder is in the process of developing links with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage and has produced a letter of introduction and a permission form for parents. She works closely with parents, who are kept informed about children's achievements through a daily dairy and photos of the children at play. Parents complete an "All about me form" when children first attend, which helps the childminder to understand each child's individual needs. Indoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for the children and to meet their needs. However, the garden area is predominantly used for physical exercise which limits children's experience of outdoor play.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children spend their time purposely in play and are making some progress in their learning. They are supported by the childminder who provides a range of toys and activities to keep them interested. The childminder is attentive and encourages children to try new experiences and to practise and build on their skills. Children enjoy helping to make bread rolls, weighing and mixing the ingredients and then eating them for their lunch. They explore which way the wind is blowing by chasing the bubbles in the garden and discover how they can use different media for mark-making when they create pictures using paints and vegetables. The childminder has begun to observe children's progress. However, this is in its infancy and does not take sufficient account of what children know and can do to enable the childminder to accurately identify the next steps in each child's learning and development. As a result, toys and activities provided are not always

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

appropriate or sufficiently challenging to ensure children make consistent progress in their learning and education. For example, when children play with the play dough the younger children are not fully engaged in their play and the older children are not being sufficiently challenged.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and has uses sensitive methods to manage their behaviour, for example, children are skilfully distracted and taken away from potential conflict. Good behaviour is rewarded with smiles from the childminder and children are happy and secure. Children are developing a good understanding of eating healthy foods by helping to prepare and cook their own foods and choosing which fruit they have for their snack. The childminder encourages children to be responsible by helping them to consider each others This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 feelings and encouraging them to help clear away their toys and activities. Children benefit from the warm relationship with other member's of the childminder's family. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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

p.6

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? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8