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 EY264805 Inspection date 08/04/2009 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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 2003. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her three children aged 12, nine and six years on the outskirts of Calne, within walking distance of local schools and shops. Most of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five minded children under the age of eight years at any one time, including three children in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children aged from five to under 12 years. The family has a cat and a tank of fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers an inclusive early years provision where each child is valued as an individual. Children thrive and progress because the childminder knows the children extremely well, understands their differing needs and appreciates their varying home circumstances. She offers a wide range of interesting, age appropriate activities both at home and within the local community, that help to promote the children's development. The childminder has a positive attitude towards self-improvement and has a good capacity to further develop the quality of the care and learning offered to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment system to ensure that parents and other key early years providers are involved in children's assessments  develop the record of risk assessments to include each type of outing experienced by the children and ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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provision

The childminder is a very competent and experienced early years practitioner. She regularly undertakes targeted training in order to improve her professional knowledge. She has a secure understanding of child protection issues and knows the correct procedures to follow, should she have a concern about a child. She is a reflective practitioner, with a good understanding of her many strengths and a clear appreciation of the need to develop her assessment process. She has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive partnership with the parents. They are provided with information about her policies and procedures prior to a child entering her care. They are kept up to date through her notice board, which details forthcoming activities, and regular informal discussion. In addition, daily diaries are offered to the parents of the youngest children in the setting, as a further aid to communication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children appear very settled and confident within the provision. They enthusiastically make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, one child decides to design a greetings card whilst another chooses to build a Brio train track. The childminder is an extremely good role model. She ensures each child receives good quality attention and they benefit from her active involvement in their play. For example, she helps a child to write a message in an Easter card, using colourful visual prompts to help reinforce the child's understanding of letters and their sounds. The children have good social skills. They behave well and are able to share resources successfully. She offers the children a balanced programme of child-led and adult- directed activities that take place both inside and outdoors. The childminder undertakes written dated observations and assessments of the children whilst they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are engaged in activities. These are transferred into each child's scrapbook, together with accompanying photographs and examples of the children's artistic creations. The assessments are linked to aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and used to plan for the next steps in their learning. However, whilst parents are invited to review their child's scrapbook with the childminder, they are not invited to contribute their own observations. Similarly, the childminder does not effectively liaise with other early years provisions attended by some of her minded children, to ensure a continuity of approach to assessing and supporting children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and rest within a provision that is clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. Children's colourful posters on subjects such as emergency evacuation and healthy eating, together with informative notice boards for parents, help to create a welcoming atmosphere. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the provision and have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They experience a weekly programme of local outings such as to a toddler group and soft play centre. In addition, they visit places such as Lydiard Park or Rove's Farm and take part in riverside walks in order to feed the ducks. Children learn about healthy eating through the good range of healthy snacks, light lunches and cooked evening meals that they enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. Allergies or dietary issues are discussed with parents as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any needs

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

accommodated. Through practical activities, including practising road safety when on local walks and by taking part in fire drills, children are starting to gain an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. There is a range of measures to support the children's safety. A gate prevents their unsupervised access to the stairs and potentially hazardous equipment in the kitchen is inaccessible to the children. However, there is the potential for children to leave the premises unsupervised and whilst a record of risk assessments is in place, it does not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 include all types of outing undertaken by the children. As a result, children are at risk. 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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