Childminder in Torbay

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 EY236110 Inspection date 03/02/2009 Inspector Janet Butlin

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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 lives with her husband and two young children, one of whom is school aged, in a three bed-roomed bungalow in Paignton, Devon. Childminding mainly takes place in the playroom but children may use other parts of the property. There is a secure rear garden. The dwelling is accessed by a sloping, private drive and is within walking distance of green spaces and a short drive to schools, pre-schools and parks. There are no family pets. The childminder has been registered since 2002 and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to four children under the age of eight years; there are currently two children enrolled within this age group, both of whom are in the Early Years age range. Overnight care is provided. The childminder receives the support of the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are well cared for by a very conscientious childminder whose great strength is the way she plans high quality activities to support children's learning and development and to meet their individual needs. She works closely with parents to ensure all are fully included. She ensures children are kept safe and has all systems in place to support good care. She has begun to use a system of self-evaluation and this has helped her to identify areas she wishes to strengthen by attending further training. Her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to follow a process of self-evaluation to identify areas for development and access any relevant training to support practice, particularly in the area of child protection  further develop and extend ways of working with parents and other providers as partners in planning for children's progress

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provision

The childminder has recently taken a period of maternity leave and is now reviewing the systems she uses to ensure they all reflect current guidance. She has continually attended training to ensure she is confident in the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this is evidenced by her detailed systems and in particular the way she plans for children's learning and development. She has made a start in using a formal system of self-evaluation, but ongoing informal, thoughtful, reflection ensures that she maintains good standards. She has identified the training she wishes to attend and has discovered where she can obtain the resources she needs to extend activities for children who enjoy cultural This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diversity in their families. She has fully addressed all the recommendations from the previous inspection and this has had a positive impact on children's care and

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provision

Parents are provided with clear, attractively presented, records of their children's progress and the activities they have enjoyed. These records indicate the next steps for children's learning and this enables parents to reinforce and support their progress at home. The childminder talks to other providers attended by the children in her care, for example, the pre-school they attend. Parents also enable her to view some of the home-school information they receive and this helps her to plan activities to complement and extend children's learning. For example, they visit fruit farms to enrich a topic of planting and growing. The childminder wishes to develop methods of working even more closely in partnership with other providers.

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provision

Children are kept very safe whilst at the childminder's. She ensures that all documentation and consents are in place to enable her to respond appropriately, for example she knows children's individual medical needs and contact details. She helps them to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example when on outings. They are further protected as she has a secure understanding of the child protection procedures and has up to date guidance to refer to in the event of having a concern. However, she has identified that she would like further training to increase her confidence in this area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. This is evidenced by the clear and up to date observations she makes and the way she uses this knowledge to plan how she will support children in the next steps of their learning. She uses these records effectively to ensure that all areas of learning are covered. Children are eager to engage with the activities on offer and have enthusiastic dispositions to learning. The childminder interacts with them constantly, encouraging them to think about their activity and to work out and solve problems, such as how a puzzle fits together. When at home children play mostly in a dedicated playroom where they access their playthings easily and safely. They have their clear favourites and are very confident as they explore the potential of, for example, the construction toys and train track. They use and enjoy books, commenting on the textures and items depicted. The childminder has

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

undertaken training to help her support children's exploration of letters and sounds and this is put to good use as she helps children to recognise similar sounds within words. Children enjoy painting and making marks and some make very competent attempts at writing their own names, sounding out the letter sounds as they do so. They order, sort and count a variety of objects in their play and the childminder helps them to understand terms to do with position, quantity and size. A feature of the provision is the commitment to taking children out to enjoy outdoor experiences. This regularly takes the form of a specifically organised group outing with other childminders who share the same commitment to ensure children enjoy fresh air and fun. Children explore the natural world, commenting on the features of creatures they have seen. They concentrate extremely well and become very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

absorbed when a game takes their interest. The childminder enables them to fully explore and complete the activity so that they are satisfied and proud of their achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's good health by encouraging healthy eating. They enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and the packed lunches they bring from home are stored appropriately to ensure they remain fresh. Parents respond to her encouragement to pack healthy contents in the lunchboxes. She is conscientious about food preparation and has undertaken training in this area. Children are well cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has all systems in place to respond promptly. Children learn how to protect themselves from germs as they use liquid soap and paper towels and this protects them from the risk of cross infection. They are kept safe in the home as the premises are secure. The childminder has conducted risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed and updated, on all areas of the home and the learning environment. These risk assessments extend to every outing undertaken with the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children and all hazards have been identified and addressed. All equipment used on outings, for example, car seats, are regularly checked to ensure they are in good condition. Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder helps older children to appreciate the needs and feelings of babies and they learn patience, understanding and gentleness as a result. They say please and thank-you at appropriate moments and by learning socially acceptable ways of behaving they are storing up valuable skills for the future. 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 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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