Childminder in Wiltshire

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 EY218682 Inspection date 29/05/2009 Inspector Carole Argles

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged seven and 11 years, in Westbury, Wiltshire. All areas of her home are registered for childminding. However, she mainly uses a separate purpose built room in her back garden and the ground floor toilet facilities in her house. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged 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 seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder usually works with an assistant and at these times they may care for up to six children aged under eight years, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a level 4 equivalent childcare qualification. She is accredited and offers funded early years education for three and four year olds.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The children are very happy and settled with childminder and well cared for in a safe, attractive and well-resourced environment. The childminder provides an interesting variety of activities which support all areas of the children’s learning and are adapted to ensure that all can participate fully. She works well with parents to make sure that their child’s individual care needs are met but at present does not involve them fully in decisions about their child’s learning and development. The childminder continues to undertake professional training and is very committed to the further improvement of her childminding service for the benefit of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to establish the systems for assessing, recording and monitoring the children's learning and development to help inform decisions about the next steps in their learning and to ensure that they are making good progress towards the early learning goals  extend the opportunities for parents to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning cycle This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well organised. She keeps all the required records and implements effective policies and procedures to ensure the children’s safety and welfare. She has sound safeguarding procedures in place and makes sure that children are never alone with people who have not been vetted. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised because she checks her premises and the toys and equipment daily, replacing any items that become worn or hazardous. The children are cared for in a purpose-built and attractively decorated playroom which is arranged effectively so they can be independent. They have ready access to the fully enclosed garden. There is an extensive range of high quality toys and resources that are stored where visible on shelves to allow the children to make choices about what they do. Good hygiene is maintained and the childminder takes sensible precautions to prevent infection spreading. Although parents provide most

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provision

food for their child, the childminder works closely with them to ensure that individual dietary needs are met, for example, by planning a baby’s weaning together.

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provision

The childminder continues to improve the quality of care she provides for the children. She has recently taken delivery of an exciting range of toys and equipment to provide extra variety, interest, challenge and enjoyment for all. She seeks the views of parents about the quality of her provision and receives regular feedback during visits from her Childminding Development Officer. This has allowed her to identify some areas of her practice for continued improvement, including the recording and monitoring of the children’s development and progress.

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provision

The children benefit from the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. From the outset, they exchange information about the child’s individual needs and routines and written agreements are in place to help the childminder meet parents’ wishes. This increases continuity in the children’s care so they are settled and comfortable. Although the childminder talks with parents about what their child has been doing during the day and informs them of any notable achievements, at present she does not involve them fully in monitoring their progress and planning their future learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are encouraged to adopt a healthy and safe lifestyle and they develop many skills that will help them in their future lives. They are active and play out in the garden daily where there is a good range of equipment to support their physical development. They often walk to preschools, toddler groups and the town where they visit the library. They go to a nearby nature area where they explore and investigate while hunting for bugs. They learn to consider their own wellbeing and the consequences of their actions. They discuss road and fire safety and learn good hand hygiene routines and about the importance of wearing hats to protect them from the sun.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder asks children questions as they play and takes opportunities to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 support their learning and increase their skills. For instance, she helped children balance and walk on stilts, talking with them about the giant steps they were taking. At lunchtime, children responded readily when asked about the shape of their sandwiches and knew it was a triangle. The childminder observes the children as they play to assess what they can achieve. She uses this information to help her decide how she can support the next steps in their learning and adapt activities to their individual needs and interests. She is establishing a ‘Learning Journey’ record of each child’s development but at present many of these are not up to date. Therefore, she cannot be sure that she is supporting all areas of their learning effectively or share this information with their parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children enjoy their time with the childminder and are very interested in the activities and resources provided for them. Consequently, they show good levels of concentration and sustained involvement in what they are doing. For example, some children were fascinated by the new role-play equipment, which included a cement mixer, wheelbarrow and realistic looking house bricks. They were solving problems as they played, working out how to stack bricks to build a higher wall or make it turn a corner. The children are learning to communicate effectively with others because of the good levels of interaction and conversation they have with the childminder and her assistant. They talk about real and imaginary ideas and enjoy books and singing. Babies are helped to communicate and make their feelings known through using signing. The children are secure and confident and go readily to adults for comfort or assistance. They develop good self-esteem

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

because they are praised and encouraged. They play harmoniously together and learn to be polite and respectful to others. The childminder quickly resolves any minor disputes over toys by distraction or offering alternatives. Through discussions and activities, the children find out about the lives of people in their own community and the wider world. The childminder provides a wide variety of resources that show positive images of diversity and is careful to be non- stereotypical, encouraging all children to take part in every type of activity. 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

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