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

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Unique reference number EY364843 Inspection date 05/03/2009 Inspector Judith Harris

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, ten and five years in Appledore in North Devon. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. A maximum of five children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently two children attending who are within the early years age range. The childminder has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification. The family have two dogs which are kept in a separate area.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good; the children's needs are exceptionally well met by the childminder's thorough, in-depth knowledge of each child's individual interests. Children's welfare is clearly and consistently well supported through the effective and efficient systems used by the childminder. The childminder makes positive use of the information she gathers about children's individual needs, to ensure inclusion for all children who attend the service.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop sytems for gathering and recording children's learning and development both in the setting and at home

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provision

Children are cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder who makes significant use of self-evaluation and reflective practice, to effectively identify the strengths and weaknesses in her service and plan actions to address these. Children's learning and development is successfully supported by high levels of individual interaction, which ensure that children learn from all planned and naturally occurring situations. Children's learning, development and welfare are further supported by the professional partnerships the childminder has built with the parents. She speaks to parents daily to exchange information about their child and provides some written records for specific occasions. The childminder shares all records with parents, including information about children's achievements and any accident or medication records and information from school. The childminder is also developing positive and important relationships with the local school and

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provision

groups, to support the children who attended different settings and therefore aid transitions. The childminder gathers clear factual information about children as a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 starting point, but the system does not provide extensive information about children's learning and development at home. The childminder has developed her own safeguarding children policy and procedure. These policies and procedures are comprehensive and show links to the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. A comprehensive range of risk assessments are carried out and the childminder clearly maintains safety at all times both in the home and on outings. The childminder's record keeping, documentation and policies and procedures are exemplary. They are accurate and thorough and exceptionally well organised. This ensures that she is successfully maintaining all necessary information for the

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provision

ongoing support of each individual child's welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and unmistakably well settled in the calm and relaxed environment of the childminder's home. Children have extensive access to a versatile range of activities, toys and resources that effectively encourage them to explore and discover. The childminder's interaction with the children is animated and enthusiastic and she makes excellent use of all opportunities to extend the children's language and thought processes. The childminder's creative and flexible planning ensures children are able to lead play. She has accurately identified the children's interests through their individual schemas. This information is then used to plan activities and experiences that support children to learn in their own unique way. The flexible daily routines ensure that children have an abundance of time and space to experiment and develop their play. Children's involvement and concentration at play shows how well the childminder understands their individual

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

needs. For outdoor play children have access to the large garden where they are able to roam freely and safely with a wide range of outdoor toys and equipment. Children are taken on regular outings to the local area to learn about the natural world; feeding horses carrots and looking out for farm animals. Children have opportunities to be creative with art and craft resources, which allow them to experiment with different mediums and materials. Children are actively using their imagination to develop role play and play with small world toys. At all times the childminder is supportive, joining in with the play when invited to. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she is clearly using as a working document to support her development. She is beginning to develop individual child records which contain information about each child's individual learning journey. Children have exceptionally warm and close

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

relationships with the childminder which ensures that their individual needs are met and their learning and development is carefully nurtured. Children are provided with healthy balanced snacks and drinks and the childminder works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The health and hygiene routines are very well maintained and considerable care is taken to ensure children's safety both in the home and on outings. 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.

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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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