Childminder in 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 EY293296 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Samantha Powis

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 registered to care for children in 2004. She lives with her 10 year old daughter in a residential area West of Yeovil town centre in Somerset. Minded children have access to all areas on the ground floor, which includes a large lounge/diner and toilet facilities. Two bedrooms are included on the first floor for rest, play and storage of resources. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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, two of these are in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for children over the age of 8 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools. She is a member of a childminding network and receives support and advice from the local authority.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settle well at the childminder's home. The childminder has an adequate awareness of each child's needs and has introduced some basic systems to monitor children's progress. However, she has not yet linked this sufficiently to future planning to ensure children are offered a wide range of activities to fully support their individual learning and development. The childminder has attended some training courses and has recently introduced the use of parent questionnaires to help her to develop her own practice to better support children's needs.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop the range of play experiences planned for children, and further extend the systems for monitoring and assessment to help to plan challenging opportunities for all children to support their progress and development in each of the six areas of learning  extend the range of resources and positive images and provide support so children learn to respect and value differences, helping them to develop positive and caring attitudes towards others  develop the system to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision in meeting individual children's needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder is generally well organised and manages daily routines effectively to ensure that children's individual needs and any preferences of parents are respected. All necessary documentation is in place and used appropriately to support children's health and welfare. For example, risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure the environment is safe according to the ages and needs of children attending. The childminder has a secure awareness of child protection issues to promote children's welfare. She has appropriate documentation to hand to refer to in the event of any concerns.

p.4

provision

The childminder has recently sent out simple questionnaires to parents, to gain their thoughts and views about the care she offers to children. She hopes to then use this information to develop her own practice. Some progress has been made in addressing recommendations raised at the last inspection to improve children's health and safety, this includes reviewing the policy regarding the exclusion of children who have an infectious illness.

p.4

provision

The childminder develops secure working relationships with parents. They enjoy the opportunity to exchange information through informal discussions at the end of each day and are able to see the diary which records daily events and observations if they choose. Some information is gained from parents about children's starting points, but this information is not used well to help plan for their next steps.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. They develop close relationships with the childminder and enjoy the affection she shows them as they play. The childminder introduces them to simple routines and procedures which promote their health and safety. For example, posters are used to remind children to wash their hands after using the toilet, road safety is reinforced when on outings and they take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures to ensure they are confident.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a suitable range of activities, however, these are not monitored to ensure their development is supported in each of the six areas of learning. Children use an appropriate range of toys and equipment which are suitable to their age and stage of development such as shape sorters, musical balls and activity tables. They enjoy music, and use a range of resources which make sounds or play tunes to which they happily dance along to. Children have few opportunities to explore natural materials and are not offered sufficient opportunities to develop an awareness of the wider world through accessing activities or resources which promote this. Older children have opportunities to use craft materials such as dough and paint, however, these are not often made available for younger children to enjoy and experiment with to develop their creativity. Children are able to make choices from the resources available to them, which encourages them to be

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

confident and independent as they play. Children's physical development is supported well, younger children use push along toys to help them to develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strong muscles enabling them to stand and take their first steps. The childminder is involved with the children as they play, she uses language and facial expressions to praise and encourage children for their achievements, boosting their confidence and adding to their enjoyment.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how the children are developing. She uses photographs and makes some observations to record their progress. However, she does not then use this information to support her in planning. Consequently, activities do not necessarily build on what children already know and can do. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

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