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 EY242533 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and two children aged eight and 15 years. The home is in a quiet cul-de- sac that is close to Tewkesbury town centre in Gloucestershire where there are shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole house is available for childminding, with the ground floor as the main play area. The second floor is restricted to use by children over five years. The garden is to the front of the property with grass and blocked paving areas. The family have one cat and an African snail as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes

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Description of the childminding

and collects children from the local school and nursery, and attends a family centre on a regular basis. Operational links are in place with other early years providers.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children make suitable progress in their learning as the childminder is increasingly aware of their requirements. She caringly supports their chosen play with calm, challenging interaction and is taking action to improve her provision by adopting some new systems for assessment and identifying appropriate training. A suitably inclusive and welcoming service is provided for families so that the individual needs of children are soundly supported. Children's welfare is satisfactorily promoted by the childminder to foster their health and safety, though risk assessment records are not complete. The childminder has strong relationships with families and has begun to develop links with parents and other providers to support children's progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observation and assessment records to identify links with areas of learning in order to plan children’s next steps of learning towards each early learning goal  improve the two way flow of information with parents and other providers to promote a shared understanding of children’s individual needs and involve them in practical ways to support their child’s learning and development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment indoors and review it regularly. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment ) 16/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children have the freedom to move safely around her home from one area to another, depending on which activity they are taking part in. The childminder encourages them to choose from the satisfactory range of quality resources in different areas of storage. She has adopted sound procedures and systems which are reflected in her daily practice, including comprehensive risk assessment for the outdoor area used by children and for outings. Though she has not recorded risk assessment for the indoors, the childminder checks the premises daily so that areas are safe and suitable for the children to access. She has a secure knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect and is aware of the correct procedure to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. All required documentation is basically in place and is stored confidentially. Children’s individual records are clear and up to date, therefore promoting satisfactory quality care.

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provision

Partnership with parents and carers is sound and families speak highly of the childminder, selecting her caring manner and support as particular strengths. In conversation, families are provided with suitable information when they first contact the childminder. The childminder tells parents about the children’s day and this is now backed up by daily entries in a diary. In this way, parents have some opportunity to become involved in supporting their child's learning and development at home. Partnerships with other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage are in their infancy.

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provision

The childminder is soundly committed to updating and improving her knowledge and practice. She attends basic training and has begun to evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement of her provision. For example, she wants to further develop her use of observation to assess the children's next steps in their learning. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed, showing commitment to improve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are suitably helped to learn and develop because of the childminder's growing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The environment satisfactorily helps children progress towards the early learning goals as some accessible, quality resources promote choice and they have space for small group and individual activities. Children benefit from the sound balance of adult- suggested and child-led activities and have suitable opportunities to explore in daily indoor and outdoor activities. They begin to gain self-care skills by storing their outdoor clothes and helping to tidy resources as they finish playing. The childminder has recently introduced a diary system to observe and record descriptions of their play. She satisfactorily uses information gathered from these, along with her knowledge of the children, to meet their needs as they play. For example, a child's interest in magnetic letters was noted and learning was

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

extended through the provision of letter-shaped cutters. The assessment is not linked to the areas of learning to regularly identify children's next steps and check This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that they are progressing towards each learning goal.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children benefit from the childminder's quiet enthusiasm and her interaction and involvement in their play. She responds calmly to their comments and queries about pictures and challenges them with interesting questions so their listening and communication skills soundly develop. The childminder appropriately supports children's spontaneous activities, for example, as they draw in the pile of a rug. She is patient and gives them all the time they need, for example, to spread out and examine puzzle pieces, so they are well involved and concentrate on their play. Children's maths skills are suitably fostered as the childminder uses maths language during play activities. They confidently talk about ages and recognise shapes of dough tools and a 'heart-shaped puddle'. The childminder soundly encourages children to learn about the wider community as they visit shops and go on trips to the park. Children have some opportunities to investigate materials and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

living things as they roll a snowball, grow seeds, feed the birds and help to look after the giant African snail.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to learn about a healthy lifestyle as they go on walks and play in the garden in better weather. They begin to appreciate the importance of a healthy diet by eating a range of healthy snacks and meals. The childminder is well aware of their dietary needs that are catered for by their parents. Drinking water is freely available to children during the day, so they stay hydrated. Established routines for hand washing after toileting, messy play and before main meals ensure that children learn about personal hygiene. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise emergency evacuation procedures so they become aware of escape routes and routines. They learn some ways of how to stay safe when out walking as they hold hands and check the road before crossing. The childminder is a positive role model for children and frequently uses praise to encourage them. Children follow this lead as they respond to requests to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

say 'please' and, sometimes, remind the childminder to take turns. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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?

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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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