Childminder in Swindon

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 EY382299 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 has been registered since 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and 14 years in the Walcot area of Swindon, Wiltshire, close to shops, parks, toddler groups, a library and children's centre. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years. This provision is therefore also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice remain mostly downstairs when playing. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder establishes good partnerships with parents and these support her in meeting the individual welfare needs of children most effectively. Children progress suitably overall in their learning and development and enjoy a positive experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is because the childminder is committed to providing a professional service and organises her home around children's needs, both indoors and out. She undertakes regular training, thinks about and instigates changes to improve her provision. She is keen to gain qualifications and improve her knowledge and skills further and demonstrates good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 instigate a system to monitor the provision of the early learning goals to ensure that all are covered effectively  further support older children's learning by establishing partnerships with the next setting they will attend and provide more encouragement in using early writing as a means of recording and communicating, including modelling writing for them.

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provision

This childminder is an enthusiastic, reflective practitioner. She understands the value of self-evaluation and accurately identifies most areas where development is required in her practice. She adapts her practice according to what she has learnt, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as instigating effective risk assessment procedures; consequently, children are safeguarded well and protected from people who have not been cleared as being suitable to be with children.

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provision

The childminder organises her home very well indeed for childminding purposes. She provides high quality equipment indoors and out. She keeps all required documentation confidentially, securely and very methodically. This contributes well to the smooth and efficient running of the setting. Parents receive individual copies of her policies. She seeks their views on her provision, and those of the older children, through a well-thought out, useful questionnaire. She acts on the suggestions made, so improving outcomes for the children.

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provision

The partnership with parents and carers is good and supports the childminder well in meeting most of the children's individual needs, however, the partnership with others involved with the children is not so well established and does not aid transitions to the next settings children attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children clearly enjoy their experiences when in this childminder's home, which is very welcoming and child-friendly. They form warm relationships with the childminder, so are confident and ready to learn. The childminder is particularly good at including all children in deciding what resources they will use, both in and outside her home. Children help choose books at the library and additional toys from a toy library weekly, so all find something suited to their particular interests. The childminder knows children well individually and provides experiences suited to each child's capabilities, stemming from establishing their starting points and knowing most things that children need to learn next through careful, regular observation of their capabilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a good balance of adult-led and child-chosen activities. The childminder plans and leads suitable, interesting activities. These have a specific learning intention, which helps younger children make good progress overall. There is a weakness, however, where older, more capable children are not fully encouraged to develop their early writing skills, such as for recording or communicating their ideas. Additionally, the childminder is not fully aware of her important role in modelling writing to children and both these points hamper progress in gaining valuable skills for their future lives. Children enjoy a well- planned balance of indoor and outdoor learning and the carefully planned layout of the outdoor area, allows children to play indoors or out safely, as they choose. Outdoor play covers all six areas of learning daily.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the early learning goals overall. She demonstrates this through good interaction with children. She is particularly skilled at helping the youngest ones develop their early speech and verbal communication skills through speaking clearly to them. She picks up well on opportunities to model new vocabulary, so helping children learn new words. Even the very youngest are encouraged to solve problems, such as how to get a large ball into a toy wheelbarrow or find where a small ball has been hidden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children respond well to the childminder's calm, positive approach. Children hear their efforts praised, such as first attempts at painting, which increases their confidence in trying new experiences. Children help in drawing up 'house rules' and understand that everyone takes their shoes off when indoors and that hands must

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

be clean before eating. Such procedures contribute very well to maintaining children's good health and preventing the spread of cross-infection. Children benefit from regular bouts of fresh air and exercise outdoors. They eat healthy food in the main, although there is a tendency to offer sugary breakfast cereals. Apart from this, main meals are nutritious, well balanced and freshly home cooked.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe from a young age, as the childminder routinely informs them why certain actions are unwise and how they can prevent accidents, such as looking where they are going. They play in safety because the childminder conducts thorough risk assessments and sticks to her stipulated procedures. She understands her responsibilities to protect children's welfare and has contact numbers of local child protection agencies readily to hand if needed, knowing the procedures to be followed. 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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