Childminder in Devon

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 EY300706 Inspection date 23/06/2009 Inspector Judith Harris

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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 2005. She lives with her daughters aged nine and 11 years in Barnstaple, North Devon. The whole of the first floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. A maximum of six children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children attending who are within the early years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children's welfare and learning and development are well supported through the close, warm and caring relationships they have with the childminder. The childminder demonstrates an in- depth knowledge of each individual child, which is supported by the effective partnerships she develops with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for gathering information about children's learning and development in the setting, at home and in other settings children attend that is used to plan for children's next steps  become familair with the up-to-date safeguarding procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Guidelines  develop written records of risk assessments clearly stating when they are carried out with dates of review and any action taken following a review or incident. Include a risk assessment for each specific outing with the children.  develop systems to record self-evaluation and reflective practice that can effectively support continuous improvement

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provision

The childminder's service is well organised and all individual records and documentation required to effectively support the children's welfare are present. Records are effectively shared with parents to support the exchange of information and help to develop good partnerships. Daily information about the children's day is exchanged with parents and any accident or medication records are shared. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of safeguarding procedures, however, she does not have the most up-to-date information. The childminder's home is safe and secure and children's safety is supported by a range of safety and fire safety equipment. Daily safety checks are carried out and the childminder can explain all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her safety measures and the steps she takes to minimise any risks to children both in her home in on outings. There are currently no written records to demonstrate

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provision

how risk assessments are carried out. The childminder is beginning to use a form of reflective practice, however, her use of self-evaluation is not currently extensive or formalised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and well settled in the comfortable, calm atmosphere of the childminder's home. The warm, close relationships children have with the childminder allow her to nurture and support them as individuals. Children play in the open plan sitting and dining room where they have direct access to a good range of toys, equipment and resources that are suitable for their ages. The children use their imagination to play a game with the telephone, the childminder enthusiastically encourages the children in their play and joins in when invited to. Children build a brick tower with the childminder; they talk about how tall the tower is and how many bricks they have used. Then the children take great delight in knocking the tower down. The childminder's interaction with the children is animated and she uses lots of open questions and praise to help extend their learning and build their confidence. Children are learning about the wider world;

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they have lots of outings to the local and wider area, they go for walks and explore their local environment. Children are learning about the natural world through growing tomato and strawberry plants in the childminder's garden. The childminder has a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage that she is familiarising herself with to support her to develop skills for carrying out observation and assessments which are not currently available. The childminder is positive about inclusion and believes that every child is important as an individual. With the broad age range of children cared for the childminder works to ensure that activities are provided for children of different ages and that meet individual learning needs. Children are supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of good hygiene routines. Through the good partnerships with parents the childminder ensures children are offered a suitable range of healthy and balanced meals and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

snacks and that any individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has developed her understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children's behaviour. The childminder is careful to monitor the children at play to ensure that toys and equipment are used safely and appropriately. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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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