Childminder in Devon

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 EY259227 Inspection date 25/08/2009 Inspector Sara Bailey

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 12 years in the rural hamlet of Craddock, Devon. All of the childminder's home is included in the registration, although childminding mostly takes place in the designated playroom, with it's adjoining toilet facilities. There is a large, fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered for six children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently 10 children under eight years on roll, of these, seven are within the early years age range. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. She is registered for two children for overnight care. The childminder is accredited through Quality First Assurance scheme and holds a level 3 qualification in early years. The childminder supports children with

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Description of the childminding

learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children learn and develop through an extensive range of child initiated activities to meet individual needs, which are exceptionally well supported by the childminder and result in outstanding outcomes for children in their enjoying and achieving. However, observations and assessments in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are in the early stages. The Every Child Matters outcome of positive contribution and economic well-being are also outstanding as children learn excellent skills for the future such as sharing and interacting and the childminder effectively promotes inclusion in all they do. Children's welfare is well promoted but some documentation does not reflect the childminder's good practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop risk assessment records to identify aspects of the envioronment that need to be checked on a regular basis with particular attention to the dangerous substances in the utility and bathroom, risk of cross infection through sharing of a towel, greenhouse and other garden hazards now it is included in the registration  ensure children's records clearly show who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility; ensure allegations against the childminder procedures and complaints procedure are specific to the setting and that all risk assessments for outings are in sufficient detail to take account of the nature of the specific outing  continue to develop observations and assessments to show children's starting points as well as next steps in all six areas of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder organises her daily routine around individual children's needs really effectively. She ensures a balance of inside and outside activities as well as a balance of adult led and child initiated activities. The childminder organises her designated playroom well to ensure children can self-select resources, which are all of high quality. Children have easy access to bathroom facilities due to the effective layout of the home, although children do share a communal towel, which compromises their good health. However, the home is immaculately clean and well presented, with high priority given to hygiene.

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provision

All documentation is in place although not always clearly recorded to reflect the good quality of care and how the childminder safeguards children effectively. For example, all risks have been identified and minimised but the daily risk assessment does not maintain a record of how this has been achieved. The risk assessment does not take into account dangerous substances in areas not usually accessed by children but with new conditions of registration to include the garden and overnight care the risk assessment needs to reflect this. Likewise, the risk assessment for outings is not specific enough to take account of the identified hazards associated with the nature of the outing. All policies and procedures are in place although they do not reflect the individual setting. The childminder is aware of family situations and who has legal responsibility, which safeguards children although this is not always recorded clearly.

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provision

The childminder works hard at developing positive and professional partnerships with parents and is beginning to share information with other settings who deliver the EYFS to children in their care. The childminder is clear about her role in informing parents of inspection and making sure they have access to reports. All records are countersigned by parents and written consents are obtained for all regulatory requirements.

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provision

The childminder has completed a self-evaluation, which identifies similar areas for improvement as the inspection outcomes, which shows a good understanding of her own strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths is clearly how the childminder supports and promotes inclusive practice. The childminder strives for continuous improvement, showing a commitment to training. The recommendation raised at her last inspection has been successfully addressed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from healthy, regular food and drinks provided by both the childminder and parents. For example, children enjoy a wide range of fresh and dried fruit, breadsticks, and have easy access to drinking water throughout the morning. They have packed lunches from home, which promote healthy eating and are stored appropriately, followed by a varied menu of hot meals in the evening. Children clearly understand the established hand washing routines before eating and after using the toilet. Children thoroughly enjoy daily exercise on the wide range of physical toys in the large garden, which also has a wooded area for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to ramble in and explore the countryside, whatever the weather.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe through regular reminders and discussions about safety in the home and whilst out on outings. For example, children are recommended to take their dark sun glasses off whilst climbing steps in the garden so they can see well, they are aware of rules such as only playing on the trampoline when their parents are present as it is not used for childminding and about the safe access to heavy toys from cupboards. They are also aware of the importance of packing away toys before getting more out to keep themselves safe and prevent tripping hazards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are exceptionally happy and engaged in a wide variety of mostly child initiated, inside and outside activities. They spend long periods of time with each activity as it is so well supported by the childminder, in the most natural way. Children's ideas are effortlessly developed by the childminder as needed, with excellent use of vocabulary and interaction to develop their language skills. Children explore toys to their full, using wonderful imagination. The childminder is very aware of children's interests and develops these into their play resulting in children's enjoying and achieving being outstanding. Although children's progress is beginning to be recorded in line with the EYFS, children's learning journeys do not show children's starting points, reflect all six areas of learning for each child and not all development is dated to be meaningful.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's positive contribution and economic well-being is outstanding. Children learn how to share, take turns and develop their personal, social and emotional development due to the childminder's excellent behaviour management. Children are praised and encouraged in all they do, even when reluctantly being helped to give back toys they have age appropriately snatched from their peers, when the childminder constantly reinforces with words such as 'good sharing'. Children's individual needs are really well understood and met effectively, with excellent awareness of different children's rates of development, styles of learning and promoting equality with boys and girls. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are really well supported. 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? 1 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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