Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

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 132888 Inspection date 14/05/2009 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two of their three grown up children. The childminder's daughter also works as a registered childminder at the setting. They live in a house in the village of Midsomer Norton, near Bath, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding, including a dedicated playroom, with toilet and cloakroom facilities and a separate entrance. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children under eight years at any one time when working with her co-minder, of whom no more than six 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 11 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 walks or drives to St. John's School and pre school, and to Sunshine Nursery, to take and collect children. The childminder holds a level 2 childcare qualification and 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 outstanding. An excellent awareness of each child's individual needs ensures an inclusive provision, where each child's learning and welfare requirements are exceptionally well met. Safeguarding children, and working in partnership with parents and others, are strengths of the setting. Children are happy and settled, and consequently confident, active learners. Excellent systems regulate the effectiveness of the profession, which results in good outcomes for children, in an enabling environment.

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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 planning and assessment systems in order to consistently identify the next steps for each child's learning and development

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provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, attractive environment, where children's welfare, learning and development needs are very effectively met. Through self- evaluation the childminder identifies priorities for improving outcomes for children. For example, she has set actions to improve the system for identifying children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 next steps in learning and encouraging them to be involved in documenting their own development. A questionnaire is being prepared to gain parents' feedback on her provision, to include their contributions in her self-evaluation. She has already joined the toy library to increase the resources for children which provide positive images of people's differences. She now obtains consent to seek emergency advice or treatment and to transport children, these were both raised as recommendations at a previous inspection, to further safeguard them.

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provision

The childminder is committed to continually updating her knowledge and attending any relevant training. All her documentation used for childminding is extremely well maintained and organised. All policies and procedures have been updated in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and are used as working documents. Excellent risk assessments have been put in place to safeguard children both on and off the premises. The childminder provides an excellent role model for children; she is calm, polite and values children's contributions, giving them choices and listening to their suggestions. Children are praised for sharing, being kind and supporting each other, consequently, their behaviour is exemplary.

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provision

The childminder develops very strong partnerships with parents and highly values the regular exchange of information. Daily communication ensures that children's individual needs are met, and the childminder works with the local pre school to provide cohesive support and care for all children. Individual copies of the policies and procedures, written information on daily routines, the EYFS, menus and activities, and a parents' notice board, keep the parents well informed about the provision and enables them to protect their children's welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The uniqueness of every child is valued by the childminder. The premises are extremely well organised to ensure children are safe, secure and encouraged to access resources independently. The excellent range of equipment meets the needs of the varying stages of development and abilities of the children attending. Coat hooks at their height and with their photographs gives them a sense of belonging, as well as displays of their creative work. Children have excellence space to play and are able to use the adjacent toilet independently. They have very good opportunities to initiate their own activities and take part in well planned adult-led activities, which challenge their development. The childminder makes regular observations of children's play, exchanging information with parents to generally plan the next stages of the children's development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's play very effectively, using open-ended questions, answering the children's questions and providing an excellent balance of activities to develop their skills throughout the curriculum. For example, children mix cornflour and water, and notice the changes. They notice how slowly the mixture moves and that it can be rolled into a ball but when released it becomes liquid again. Children manipulate play-dough using a range of equipment and more able children name the shapes. They are supported in doing as much as they can themselves so they can practise new skills and work out solutions to problems. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, they access a range of puzzles and skilful interaction enables them to complete them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily routines provide excellent learning opportunities. For example, children learn the importance of good hygiene practices and healthy eating, as they wash their hands and select their snack. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures and older children are encouraged to support the younger ones. Trips off the premises are used to make children appropriately aware of strangers and other potential risks. Children are highly motivated and enjoy their time at the setting, this supports them in making excellent progress. 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? 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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