Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 29 Apr 2009

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 161632 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Charlotte Jenkin

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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 has been a registered childminder since 1999. She lives with her husband and two daughters in a four bed-roomed detached house in the Pewsham area of Chippenham. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently cares for four children in the early years age range. The whole house is registered for childminding, however the downstairs of the property is mainly used and two bedrooms upstairs for sleeping children. The family have a cat. The childminder is currently studying for an NVQ level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education. She is a member of the local childminding group, is a network childminder and has the support of the Childcare Development Officer.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children have their individual needs well met in the provision. The childminder is aware of children's different stages of development and plans are in place to support each child's individual learning and development. Hence, children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder evaluates her practice and makes ongoing improvements. These improve outcomes for children and enhance their welfare, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop children's opportunities in the outdoor environment to include regular experiences that enable them to explore and use their senses, as well as be physically active  ensure children have opportunities to express their ideas in many ways, especially in creative activities choosing the materials they wish to use to represent their own ideas

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure Ofsted is notified of any serious accident, illness or injury to any child whilst in the childminder's care and of the action taken in respect to it, within 14 days of the incident occurring (Promoting good health) (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 29/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified adult, who is committed to increasing her knowledge and skills through studying for a level 3 qualification. Most policies and procedures are in place and are implemented effectively by the childminder to promote children's welfare and safety in the provision. However, one accident to a child which resulted in hospital treatment was not notified to Ofsted which is a breach of regulation. Ofsted does not intend taking any action for this breach because the childminder safeguarded the injured child by seeking appropriate medical attention. All required documentation is kept on premises, is well organised and readily available for inspection. The childminder organises her day to ensure the individual needs of the children are met and they feel welcome and secure in her care. Children play in safety both indoors and when out as the childminder has effective risk assessments that identify and

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provision

Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents as they have their care needs well met and are cared for in agreement with parents. Parents receive good information regarding the childminder's policies, procedures and the activities she provides for the children daily. The childminder is committed to working in partnership with other adults working with the children in order to fully support and enhance their welfare and learning needs. She has devised a letter and account of children's development in all six areas of learning which she shares with parents and the pre-school attended by them on a termly basis. Parents are fully involved in the themes their child is learning about, through informative newsletters the childminder produces each month. These detail the activities to be covered, and parents are invited to contribute information about the activities they do with their children into their learning journals. For example, when learning

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provision

about growing and change, parents brought in photographs of a family trip to the local college to see the lambing to put in their child's learning journal. This ensures children's learning and development is fully supported. The childminder evaluates her ongoing practice and identifies areas for future improvements. She has recently updated her child protection training and this has increased her confidence in safeguarding children. She has also introduced more problem solving with the children through fun activities and daily routines, having identified that this was an area within her observations that was less evident. Hence, children now gain more skills in numeracy on a day to day basis. The childminder has made improvements since the last inspection and now makes sure she gains all written permissions from parents for routine activities and outings. Hence, this promotes their well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enter the provision with confidence and display a sense of belonging in the childminder's care, being familiar with the routines. They take off their coats and shoes and put them in the baskets that are for their belongings. Children are confident in the childminder's care, readily telling the childminder which coloured aprons they want to wear for sticking and where they are going to sit for the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activity. They confidently request activities from the childminder, including sticking, dancing and painting. Children confidently participate in the activities provided for them. They choose from the available materials to stick on the 'Number Jack' pictures and use glue to stick these on. Children request coloured materials and use mathematical language during the activity, including 'This is a long piece of material' and 'I will put this piece around the sides'. Children sit and concentrate

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and are well engaged in the activities, and develop skills in sharing and turn taking. However, they have less opportunities to select and use a range of materials to represent their own ideas in creative activities. Children enjoy joining in with dancing activities. They choose the songs they wish to dance and listen to and move their bodies to the music. They join in with action songs and work co- operatively when doing the actions to 'Row the boat'. Children access musical instruments and explore these confidently, banging them and hitting them with beaters. The childminder supports the children's learning well during activities, she engages them in conversations and shows interest in what they are doing, responding to requests for resources and support. This helps promote children's language development as well as their good levels of self-esteem. Children have access to a wide range of activities that support their development in all six areas

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of learning and these are a good balance of adult led and child initiated. The childminder undertakes observations of children during activities to assess their abilities. She supports these with photographs of the children, examples of their work and links these observations to the six areas of learning. These are used to inform future planning and help children progress to the next steps in their learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment where there are displays of their work around to help them feel proud of their achievements. They have access to a wide range of interesting and stimulating toys and equipment that support their development in all areas. These are stored on low level shelves and drawers and children are able to independently select those they wish to play with. Thus, this helps encourage their confidence and independence in the provision. Children learn about the importance of keeping safe both in the provision and when out. The evacuation plan is practised with the children and is displayed in pictorial form. This encourages them to know the procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Also topics are covered with the children that include road safety, and they visit the lollypop lady and practise crossing the road safely with a pretend zebra crossing in the garden. Children develop a positive attitude towards

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they enjoy in the provision. The childminder offers parents freshly cooked meals daily for their child, or they are able to provide their own lunches. The childminder gains information regarding children's dietary needs and preferences and these are catered for to meet children's individual needs. Hence, children have their dietary needs well met. Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise with frequent trips to the park and daily walks to the local school. They visit local parks where they play on the large climbing equipment helping them develop their upper body strength and skills in moving in various ways. In the garden children have access to a range of equipment that supports their skills in pulling and pushing equipment and in throwing, catching and retrieving objects. Children also visit places of interest including country parks where they go for long walks and are encouraged to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop a positive attitude towards the outdoor environment. Children are keen to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 go outside and play, they request this and readily get their shoes on to go out in the garden. However, outdoor play is not planned fully to ensure children have regular opportunities for a range of sensory experiences and exploration. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of the appropriate methods to use for managing children's behaviour, including the use of praise and encouragement. She is an excellent role model and uses positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. Hence, children learn right from wrong and are encouraged to respect their peers. 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? 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Matters affecting the welfare of children) 29/05/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Matters affecting the welfare of children) 29/05/2009

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