Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300964 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Barbara Walters

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and children, aged 10 and seven years, in Bath. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age range who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding groups and takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled in the childminder's home and she is aware of their individual needs because she works closely with parents. Children develop a sense of belonging and security during effective settling-in procedures. Children enjoy daily outings such as visits to places of interest or to the local toddler group. They respond well to familiar routines and confidently investigate toys and equipment provided for free play, which helps them to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the use of observation and assessment to impact more effectively on planning and identify children's individual learning and development needs  further develop the risk assessment to take into account when children are taken on specific outings  develop the process of self-evaluation to help identify strengths and areas for improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder gives time and thought to the service she provides. Information about the daily routines is shared with parents during the admissions process to ensure that children can be cared for in line with home routines and their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual needs. Polices and procedures are in place and shared with parents, which supports children's well-being. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, children's allergies are recorded and clear accident records are in place should a child have a minor accident. The childminder has a suitable understanding of safeguarding children and ensures that children are her first priority. She is sufficiently aware of child protection issues and the local procedures she should follow if she has any concerns about the children in her care. Children

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the early years provision

are sufficiently protected when in the childminder's home as she has completed a full risk assessment of the house and any actions she has taken to minimise risks. For example, stair gates are installed appropriately to prevent children's unsupervised access to the kitchen. However, children's safety is not fully promoted as the childminder has not completed a risk assessment for when they are taken on specific outings. The childminder's home and resources are generally well organised to enable children to self-select their activities. For example, toys are stored in labelled baskets for easy recognition so children can ask for what they want or choose from the toys on offer. The childminder ensures that the learning environment and resources are available to all the children and are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to keep them informed. Regular discussions with them regarding children's activities and routines ensure children feel secure and experience continuity of care, for example, children's sleeping and eating routines are respected. Parents complete an "All about me" form when children first attend, which helps the childminder understand each child's individual needs. Thoughtful procedures, which include children initially attending for short periods to become accustomed to differences, such as rides in the car or visits to the toddler group, help children to become settled and secure. Opportunities for working in partnership with other settings are not yet in place as the childminder is in the early stages of considering ways in which she can promote these links. The childminder has completed the recommendation from the last inspection to improve outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to

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the early years provision

continual improvement. She is intending to develop the paved garden so children can enjoy a larger area for their wheeled toys and she regularly meets with other childminders and uses this time to discuss any changes in childcare and to share good practice. However, systems to monitor and evaluate her childminding practice to ensure outcomes for children are built upon and to help her identify strengths and areas for improvement have yet to be developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children spend their time purposefully in a suitable range of activities which take into account their learning needs and help them to make some progress. They are eager to explore and investigate what is on offer and take the initiative in their play. For example, children enjoy exploring using their senses and are curious with how foam feels, squeezing it through their fingers and experiencing the stickiness and texture. They enjoy learning new words by searching for the plastic animals in the foam, for example, the crab and shark. The childminder promotes their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They enjoy listening and contributing to stories and cuddle up with the childminder to read the book about the animals in the zoo, looking to see who is hiding in the cages. Individual assessment records are in place for each child

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and outcomes for children

attending, which include both photographic and documented evidence that the childminder links to the early learning goals to ensure that children have a different range of activities. However, these do not take sufficient account of what children know and can do to enable the childminder to accurately identify the next steps in each child's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder builds close relationships with the children in her care, which ensures that they are relaxed and at ease with her. The childminder's kind and patient approach to behaviour management ensures that children begin to show care and concern for each other. For example, young children are encouraged to use "gentle hands" when playing and the childminder's use of praise helps children play well together. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, they practise the fire emergency routine with the childminder and when they are out and about, such as walking along the street, they discuss safety and when and where it is safe to cross the road. Children's understanding of personal hygiene practices is developing well through the childminder's active promotion of maintaining a healthy environment. They begin to learn good hygiene procedures by independently using wet wipes and hand gel. Young children are able to explore

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and outcomes for children

tasting different nutritious foods in a relaxed and unhurried way, making meals and snack time an enjoyable experience. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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

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