Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 EY384243 Inspection date 14/08/2009 Inspector Carole Elizabeth Price

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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 2008. She lives with her three-year-old daughter in a two-bedroom, detached bungalow in Hatherley on the outskirts of Cheltenham. The home is easily accessed via the front drive and access to the rear is level and paved.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the bungalow is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She currently has 10 children on roll whom she cares for at various times across the week. She is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks within the local community and collects children from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder sometimes works with another childminder or an assistant. When working together they may care for a maximum of six children, five of these children may be in the early years are group. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a homely environment which is well resourced and easily accessible to children. The childminder has a good relationship with children and knows their individual likes, dislikes and developmental needs well. She plans her day around their individual needs and routines ensuring that all their care needs are effectively met. The childminder is keen and enthusiastic in her work and has a genuine desire to do well and improve her practice. She is aware of the need to increase her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, with regard to planning to meet children's next steps in learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the planning of activities reflects the needs of individual children and builds on their next steps in learning and development.  ensure children have regular opportunities to explore and investigate freely for themselves as they play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is very well organised. She has all required documentation in place which is appropriately completed and up to date. Rooms are warm, welcoming, colourful and inviting to children who appear happy and settled while in the childminder's care. Children's artwork such as paintings and drawings are on display for the children and parents to see. Resources are stored in colourful, accessible boxes for children to choose and select for themselves.

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provision

The childminder has considered her progress to date. She is aware that she has limited knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with regards to planning for individual needs and has plans to develop this knowledge to enable her to further improve her practice.

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provision

Information with parents is shared appropriately through verbal communication and displays of all certificates. Parents also receive daily diaries which include information about their child's daily routine, activities and any achievements. Parents information packs are given to new parents, complete with the policies and procedures of the setting. Particular needs are discussed with parents to ensure the childminder has all the knowledge to meet children's individual care needs.

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provision

The childminder is very aware of keeping the children safe. Risk assessments have been carried out and recorded on all areas of the home and outings. Hazards have been identified and steps taken to minimise the risks. The childminder has good knowledge of safeguarding issues. She is aware of the local safeguarding policies and procedures and has all contacts available should such an issue arise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, relaxed and comfortable within the childminder's home. Space and resources are well organised to provide areas for different activities such as messy play, quiet play and floor toys. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the different areas of learning. Observation of the children is made through watching them at play, taking part in activities and while involved in different experiences. These are recorded in their diaries, notebooks and through photographs. The childminder has begun to link children's development with the areas of learning but needs to develop her planning further to help her identify the next steps in individual children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and have a sense of belonging as they arrive happily, talk about their friends who are not present that day and happily wave goodbye to their parents. They are praised as they play and share. For example, when getting the 'Jack-in-the-Box' to appear for the first time and taking turns with the cars and scooters in the garden. They learn to communicate as they chat together with the childminder, talking about the things they have done, or buy items in the role play shop. Children enjoy songs and dancing as they dance with the childminder to their favourite music. They count as they play in the house or with the stacking toys. They talk about shapes and colours as they look at the snail shell. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children learn about the world through outings into the community, discussing differences in their lives and talking about their surroundings. They listen to the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

noises around them and point to the sky when they hear an aeroplane. The childminder is very involved in the children's play, asking questions and discussing with the children. However, the childminder does not stand back frequently enough to allow the children to explore and investigate freely for themselves as they play. Creativity is encouraged through a wide range of activities including art and craft, music and dance and imaginative play with dressing up and role play toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given nutritious meals and snacks during the day. They can access their drink as they play ensuring they are well hydrated. Children and childminder all sit together during meal and snack times ensuring a social time and good habits are encouraged. Hygiene routines are well established and children are learning that they have to wash their hands before eating to 'stop the germs getting into their tummies and making them ill'. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through routines such as road safety, explanation from the childminder why something is unsafe and practising the emergency evacuation procedure. They discuss how their behaviour affects others and why they should be kind to others. They are learning to share and cooperate as they take turns with the toys and play together. The childminder uses her knowledge of the children, her positive relationship with parents and her skills to ensure that the individual care needs of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

all the children in her care are met 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? 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? 3 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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