Childminder in Wiltshire

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 EY361513 Inspection date 25/08/2009 Inspector Carole Argles

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight years in Wilton, Wiltshire. All areas of her home are used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor activities.

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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 three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged between five years and 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

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. The children are happy and settled with the childminder who meets their individual needs effectively and minimises risks to their safety and wellbeing. They take part in a wide range of activities and outings that support all areas of their learning and development well. There are sound partnerships between the childminder and the parents and she is flexible to their care requirements. The childminder has a positive approach to her continued professional development and continues to enhance the quality of her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the methods of recording and assessing children's achievements  continue to develop the partnership with parents by increasing opportunities for them to become involved with planning and monitoring their child's learning and development

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provision

The children benefit from the childminder’s good organisational skills. She maintains all the records necessary to ensure their welfare and implements effective policies to protect their health and safety. She supervises them well at all times. She carries out regular risk assessments and has suitable safety equipment in place. She checks all areas used for childminding daily thus reducing the likelihood of injuries to the children. She maintains good hygiene, for example, by cleaning surfaces with antibacterial products and providing individual towels for each child. Children receive healthy snacks and have drinks readily available for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to take whenever they are thirsty. The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities for safeguarding children and knows what to do if she has concerns about their welfare.

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provision

There is continuity in the children’s care because there is a good two-way exchange of information between the childminder and their parents. This is achieved through daily discussions and the use of diaries. Parents receive comprehensive information about the childminder’s policies and procedures so that they understand what is provided for their child. Written agreements are in place to help the childminder meet parents’ wishes for their child.

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provision

The childminder keeps up to date with changes in childcare practice and undertakes relevant training. She has continued to improve the quality of care she provides and acts on advice given by her childminding development officer. She has begun to consider the effectiveness of her provision in supporting children’s care and development. This has allowed her to correctly identify and prioritise areas of her practice she wishes to develop further.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children form warm and friendly relationships with the childminder and they are contented and confident in her care. They behave well and learn to share fairly and consider the needs of others. They develop good self-esteem and receive praise and recognition for their achievements. They gain many skills for the future and begin to consider their own safety and wellbeing. Good hygiene is promoted and the childminder talks with them about road safety and how to protect themselves when out. The good level of interaction and conversation between the childminder and the children supports their language and communication skills effectively. Young children learn new vocabulary and, for example, respond readily when the childminder asks them to show her their ears, mouth and nose. They enjoy music and action songs and exploring a variety of simple musical instruments to discover the sounds they can make. Children are encouraged to be

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

independent and to make choices about what they do, selecting from the wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources. Their physical development is well supported. They are active and enjoy being outside where they use wheeled toys, slides and other play equipment. The childminder uses of her garden very effectively, creating an attractive and child-friendly area with many windmills and chimes. Shade is provided so children can play out in all weathers. They explore sand and water, use paints and chalks, and have places where they can make dens and engage in pretend play. The childminder encourages children to appreciate the natural world around them. They help her grow a variety of vegetables and flowers in pots and, following a recent outing, have helped to create a ‘bug house’ and a feeding station for butterflies.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes the children as they play and has a good knowledge of what they enjoy, how they learn and what they can achieve. Although she records brief notes in the child’s diary, at present, she does not keep other records to help her monitor all areas of their learning and development. She talks with parents about what their child has been doing but does involve them fully in monitoring This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and planning their child’s progress. However, the activities are effectively matched to the children’s individual needs and interests and build on what they can already do. For example, children showed sustained involvement and much enjoyment when exploring a large container of dry breakfast cereal. They increased the control and coordination of their movements as they used spoons to transfer it between bowls. The childminder took opportunities to extend their learning and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

thinking as they played. She counted aloud to them to increase their familiarity with numbers, and talked with them about textures and sounds, for example, about the noise of the cereal, comparing it to the sound of falling rain. 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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