Childminder in Plymouth

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 EY373140 Inspection date 20/01/2009 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 was registered in April 2008. She lives with her husband and three school-aged children in a three bedroom house in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children access the first floor for sleeping and to use the bathroom. The loft conversion bedroom is not used. Children also access an enclosed back garden. The dwelling is within walking distance of schools, pre-schools, parks and places of interest. It is accessed by three steps to the front door. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and may care for up to five children under the age of eight years. There are currently seven children enrolled, four of whom are in the early years age range. The family own two Border Collie dogs, who are kennelled outdoors.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are well cared for by a thoughtful childminder who enjoys her work with children. She has established effective systems to provide good care and works closely with parents in order to meet children's unique needs and ensure all are fully included. She has begun to reflect on her practice and has identified areas to improve, including working more closely with other providers and strengthening her systems of planning and assessment. Her capacity to maintain improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of assessment and planning activities linked to development matters and ways of working in partnership with other providers attended by the children  ensure all areas of the learning environment are included in the risk assessments, with particular regard to any outings proposed to be undertaken

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provision

The childminder has been proactive in accessing an electronic system of self- evaluation and has begun to identify areas for improvement. She has already attended various training courses to enhance the experiences of the children in her care, for example, training to support her understanding of the areas of learning. As a result of ongoing reflection, she has identified strategies to help develop children's awareness and understanding of cultural and social diversity. She also reviews aspects of care and is establishing a clear, well organised system of record keeping. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are keen to convey their complete satisfaction with the service provided by the childminder and how impressed they have been by the individual attention their children have received. The childminder ensures that parents receive daily, detailed information about their children's progress and when necessary, enters

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provision

into specifically planned programmes to support their learning and development. She is familiar with other settings attended by children, for example pre-schools they attend before they come to her in the afternoon, and establishing firmer partnerships with this type of setting to support children's learning is an area she intends to develop.

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provision

The childminder has good systems in place to safeguard children. She ensures that all who come into contact with minded children are suitable to do so. She helps children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example helping them to become confident in the emergency evacuation procedure. Children are further protected by her secure understanding of the child protection procedure and she has helpful, up-to-date guidance to refer to in the event of having a concern.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and well settled with the childminder. They have an eager disposition to learning, and explore the activities provided for them enthusiastically. The childminder follows their unique rhythms, enabling them to move from one activity to another at their own pace. Small babies are comforted to sleep when the childminder recognises they are becoming tired, which means they wake refreshed to enjoy their play. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals according to their individual starting points, and the childminder ensures that games and activities are provided that will interest them. She has begun to implement a written system of planning and assessment to augment her detailed knowledge of each individual child, and strengthening this system to include all children is an area she has identified to develop. Children communicate with the childminder according to their ages and stages of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

development. Young babies' early attempts at words are repeated back to them and this reinforces their communication skills. Older children enjoy opportunities to extend their mark making skills and begin to attempt to form letters. The childminder interacts with children constantly and engages in activities that are linked to the children's individual targets, for example, playing a game to encourage early mobility. Young babies explore the patterns of sunlight as the rays bounce around the room. They explore their reflections in mirrored books and delight in making music with the childminder's collection of instruments. All children enjoy accessing the excellent selection of books, and older children extend their love of stories into role play games.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a very clean home and receive good care if they become ill or have an accident when with the childminder. She is qualified in first aid and has all systems in place to respond appropriately. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fruit, and the meals they bring from home are stored in accordance with food hygiene recommendations. She uses effective methods, such as engaging the children in imaginative stories about food, to encourage them to try new foods and eat healthily and she enjoys preparing healthy and nutritious meals. Children are kept This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very safe in the home as the childminder is constantly checking the environment to ensure that there are no hazards, for example, pointing out the icy footpath on a cold day. However, not all outings proposed to be undertaken have been included in the written risk assessments. The childminder has a very clear understanding of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

how she will keep children safe when on outings, for example she ensures she always has all contact details with her. Children respond to the childminder's calm manner and the constant attention she gives them. She encourages children to show care and concern for one another, for example moving carefully around small babies. Children learn good manners and the childminder works in partnership with parents to present a consistent approach. This emphasis on learning social skills helps children to prepare 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? 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: 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 registration or 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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