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

p.1

Unique reference number EY373666 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Juliet Eileen Hartridge

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 was registered in 2008, and lives with her husband and their young child in Dawlish, within walking distance of schools, pre-schools and other local amenities. The home has level access, and is arranged on one level. The outside space is limited, but children are taken to play in the park or other outings. The childminder is registered on the Early Years and Compulsory Childcare Registers to care for five children under eight years, two of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for three children on the Early Years Register, on a part time basis. The family have a dog, who may be excluded from children if required.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, secure and very well settled in the childminder's care. Children make good progress in their learning and development as they enjoy a variety of play experiences according to their individual interests and needs. The childminder is well aware of her strengths and weaknesses, which successfully promotes her capacity to make future improvements. However, she has not yet developed a formal system of self-evaluation.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 further develop the assessment of children's progress & development, by gathering more information from parents and carers about their children's starting points  develop the self-evaluation system in order to monitor the provision for children.

p.3

provision

The childminder is very well organised, and the home is clean, tidy and well maintained. She has a methodical approach to documentation including records of children's attendance, medication and countersigned accident records, which ensure that children's health and well being is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has a good awareness of the importance of supporting children's safety in the home or when out and about. She conducts and records risk assessments and encourages children's growing awareness of road safety by talking to them about vehicles or by using designated crossing places. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, and the appropriate steps to take should she have any child protection concerns. She has a safeguarding policy and explanatory booklet which is readily available to share with parents and carers. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

Although she has not yet started a formal self-evaluation process the childminder is very aware of her own strengths and weaknesses. She has a strong commitment to training and has completed the required childminding and first aid training. She has identified several courses she would like to attend in the next few months in order to further benefit the children in her care. The childminder communicates with the children's parents and carers well, and is committed to ensuring they are involved in the care of their children. She has a flexible approach, and talks to their families at the start and end of the day about their children's day, and what they have enjoyed doing and how they have been. She is starting to share with parents and carers the observations about their children which she records in their portfolios. Information about the children's individual needs and preferences, as well as contract and consent forms ensure the childminder cares for the children

p.4

provision

according to the wishes of their parents and carers. However she does not gather information about the children's starting points, which could enable her to track children's progress more effectively.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is warm and friendly and chats enthusiastically as children play, encouraging them to explore whilst encouraging their emerging language. The childminder knows the children well and is consequently very well aware of their individual interests, needs and stages of development. Children each have their own portfolios containing examples of their art creations, or photos of them at play. The childminder annotates these to indicate which area of learning they are enjoying, and records simple ideas of how their play can be further developed to help the children move onto the next stage.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home is light and airy and very well organised. The good quality toys and resources, many of which are made of natural materials, are most invitingly set out, where children can easily make choices as they play. Books are set out accessibly and young children are learning to handle and enjoy books as they choose their favourites, before snuggling on the childminder's lap to listen to their story. The childminder talks to children about the characters in the books, encouraging them to make animal noises or indicate where their eyes and ears are. Children have regular opportunities to practice their developing skills, they delight in repeatedly stacking the beakers and knocking them down again, and their physical development is well promoted when they patiently balance the beakers and blocks, or carefully steer their prams around the room. They have regular opportunities to enjoy creative play, when they draw or make marks on

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

different coloured paper with chalks, crayons or paint. Children use their imaginations as they push their dolls around, or make 'tea' with their kettle and tea set. Children play harmoniously and confidently together, and the childminder encourages them to share or help to tidy up in a positive and encouraging way. They are praised when they do well or move safely around the home, for example when they carefully negotiate the small steps.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing healthy lifestyles. They have good opportunities to enjoy the outdoor environment; they go out and about for regular walks and outings or play with balls and swing and slide on the apparatus in the park. They are learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about the natural world when they walk near the sea or observe the ducks, geese and gulls. The childminder promotes healthy eating as the children enjoy fruit snacks and regular drinks or well balanced packed lunches. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

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? 2 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? 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?

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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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