Childminder in Bath and North East SomersetOfsted inspection, 23 Jun 2009

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 EY101658 Inspection date 23/06/2009 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 12 and nine. They live in a four bedroom semi detached house in Midsomer Norton, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and three bedrooms are used for childminding, and toilet facilities are available on both floors. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and two dogs, which have their own fenced off part of the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from St John's School and the local pre-school. She attends a toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a network childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder has highly effective systems in place to work closely with parents and others, to ensure she meets each child's individual needs. This means their welfare is extremely well promoted and that children make rapid progress in their learning and development, given their age, ability and starting points. Regular feedback from parents and children contributes significantly to the developing self-evaluation systems. This ensures a service that meets the needs of its users and continues to look for priorities for future development. Excellent procedures help to safeguard children, keep them healthy and promote their awareness of the wider world.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to develop the self-evaluation system to monitor all areas of the provision

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provision

The childminder is highly committed to continuing to extend her knowledge and skills, to ensure she can meet the individual needs of all the children. She has attended all necessary training and any workshops she feels will benefit the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, for example, personal social and emotional development, home safety and outdoor play. All documentation is extremely well maintained and regularly updated. The extensive policies and procedures have been revised in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and are shared in writing with parents. This ensures that parents can protect their children's welfare and are kept well informed about the provision. Parents are kept central to their child's development and have very good opportunities to contribute to their assessments. Settling in procedures are handled sensitively and individual to each child and their family.

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provision

Consequently, the childminder gets to know the children well and they are extremely happy, settled and confident in her home.

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provision

The childminder actively seeks both the children and their parents' feedback on her provision. She has begun to use self-evaluation and continually seeks ways to improve outcomes for children. Well documented procedures are very effectively implemented to safeguard children and promote their welfare. For example, extensive risk assessments are carried out both on and off the premises, to ensure children remain safe while providing opportunities to challenge their development. The childminder has a very good awareness of child protection issues and excellent information in place to provide further guidance. Excellent systems are in place and agreed by parents, to provide care in an emergency. Children have very good space to play and the superb organisation of the childminder's time, premises and resources ensures an inclusive provision, where children make as much progress as they can.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes regular observations of the children's achievements using photographs and anecdotal evidence. She encourages parents to add their contributions and consequently she gets to know the children extremely well. This supports her in planning exciting activities, and organising the environment and resources to enable children to become independent learners. Planned activities are linked to all areas of development to maximise the benefit to children. For example, painting enables children to independently select their resources, develop hand-eye coordination, notice patterns and shapes, describe textures and colours, and use mathematical language. Children gain an excellent awareness of a safe and healthy lifestyle through their daily routines and play. For example, they use small world toys to act out telephoning for the fire brigade and practising the emergency evacuation procedures. They learn about safety at the beach and in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sun, and why they need to wear seat belts in a car. Children are able to access fresh drinking water and are provided with nutritional snacks, for example, yoghurt coated fruit, rice cakes, bread sticks and fresh fruit.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are excited and motivated by the resources and activities provided. The childminder provides an excellent role model and encourages children to take care of the environment and have a positive attitude to people's differences. Consequently, they are extremely well behaved, play together well and build good relationships. Children are polite, they play games which require them to take their turn and are kind to living things. The childminder provides skilful interaction, extending child initiated activities and their vocabulary. She listens to children and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 values their contributions, which encourages them to engage in conversations and to solve problems through practical experiences. Children enjoy exploring the environment and the natural world. They have excellent opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities outside and in the local community. For example,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children throw balls into a bucket, use brushes and water to make marks, look at the different patterns the toy animals make in the sand and look for natural resources in the woods. Photographs of the children's family and pets promotes discussion, and the child's awareness and pride in their own identity. Pictures help children understand the routine and the use of some sign language ensures children of all abilities are included. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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