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 EY296765 Inspection date 01/07/2009 Inspector Valerie Fane

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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 2004. She lives with her partner and children aged five and three years in the Kingswood area of Bristol. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is up one step. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have two cats and a fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to twelve years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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. Children settle well with the childminder and make excellent progress because the childminder has a secure knowledge of how to plan and provide activities that support their individual learning needs. Her practice is fully inclusive so their particular care needs are met and they gain considerable awareness of our diverse society. All required documentation is in place but there are occasional inaccuracies in the attendance records. The childminder has made significant improvements since the last inspection including attendance on a wide variety of training courses. She has recently carried out a self-evaluation of her provision and she is beginning to identify areas for development that will further improve the outcomes for children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvements.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain accurate records of children’s hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 15/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children thrive because the childminder is committed to providing very high quality childcare. She has met the recommendation made at the last inspection so children are safe using the outside area because she has minimised the hazards. She holds a relevant Level 3 qualification and she attends regular training courses to update or develop different areas of her practice and improve outcomes for children in her care. Courses since the last inspection have included topics such as 'Developing an inclusive environment’ and ‘Look, listen and note’. The childminder has recently carried out an overall self-evaluation of her provision and she has a clear view of her strengths. She is beginning to identify areas for further development and she has devised a questionnaire to involve parents in this process.

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provision

Children receive care in a home that is safe and secure. The childminder has used risk assessments to highlight possible dangers and identify ways to reduce hazards. Risk assessments are also in place for all outings. Her good practice is underpinned by a comprehensive set of written policies and these are shared with parents before she begins minding their children. She has all required documentation in place but children's care is potentially compromised because she does not consistently ensure that her attendance records are accurate. Children are protected because the childminder has a very secure understanding of child protection procedures and understands the importance of keeping confidential records of any concerns.

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provision

Children benefit from good continuity of care because the childminder works in close partnership with their parents. She finds out detailed information about specific needs related to diet or health and ensures that she follows parents' wishes. Parents complete a detailed form entitled 'All about me' for their children before they attend the setting and she uses this as a basis for her observations to identify their individual learning and development needs. Children are able to continue their learning at home because the childminder gives parents plenty of verbal information about their child's day and they have regular access to their observation records that contain photographs, written information about children's learning and their six monthly development targets. Parents are very pleased with the service that she provides. Children who also attend other early years providers benefit from partnership working because the childminder liaises closely with the

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provision

providers to discuss children's particular needs such as their response to a temporary change in family circumstances.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled with the childminder and develop close relationships with her and with her own children. They make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a very secure knowledge of the six areas of learning. She observes children closely and assesses their progress through the stepping stones so she can identify targets for all children in each of the areas of learning. She plans opportunities for children to develop their learning in these areas and records their progress in their observation records. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop skills for the future because the childminder supports their developing language, mathematical and technology skills extremely well. Younger children choose favourite books and cuddle up with the childminder to listen to her read. They talk about the book and the childminder encourages them to count the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

number of different animals in the picture. Older children draw pictures and demonstrate that they understand the purpose of writing as they write pretend labels, telling the childminder 'that says mummy and that says daddy'. Children of different ages enthusiastically use appropriate technology. For example, babies like to press the buttons on books to make noises while pre-school children use a children's computer and older children attending the childminder's house after school use the family computer and other electronic toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children love a very varied range of different creative activities. Sponge painting is a favourite and they develop independence because the childminder lets them help to squeeze the paint on to a plate. They choose sponge shapes such as a train or a boat and make patterns on their paper while talking about what colour they are using and how many shapes they have printed. The childminder makes excellent use of spontaneous learning opportunities such as snowfall to help older children learn why it snows and then to have fun making snowman cakes. Toddlers decide they want to make a train layout and the childminder supports their problem- solving extremely well because she encourages them to think about the shape of each piece and where it will fit so that the track joins up. Older children construct a bridge out of large soft blocks and have fun sliding under it.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. The childminder supplies an interesting range of healthy meals and snacks and encourages them to have five portions of fruit or vegetables each day. She discusses individual dietary needs with parents, agrees which food she will supply and what they will provide and she adapts her menus so that they can eat similar foods to the other children so that they do not feel left out. Children enjoy healthy cooking activities such as making fruit salad and they demonstrate their understanding of which food and drinks are nutritious and tell the childminder that 'they do not want a 'fruit shoot' because it is full of sugar'. Children have excellent opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to and from school and pre-school and they visit the local park on the way home. They thoroughly enjoy frequent outings to places such as the local soft play area or the zoo. Babies

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoy exploring the equipment at the soft play area and develop problem-solving skills as they try to work out whether they can post the balls through the netting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave extremely well. They are polite and helpful and older children learn to consider one another's needs. They develop their awareness of their personal safety because they act out road safety issues such as the use of pedestrian crossing using the bikes in the garden and they learn about stranger awareness. They discover our wider society because they use a wide range of toys that represent other cultures and they take part in celebrations for festivals such as Chinese New Year. For example, they make lanterns and a large dragon with a cardboard box for a head and taste Chinese food such as sweet and sour chicken, prawn crackers and lychees. 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? 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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 15/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 15/07/2009

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