Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY314548 Inspection date 08/09/2009 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 husband and son aged six in Calne, Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently cares for five children, of whom two are in the early years age range. The registration does not include overnight care. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and also uses her car for outings. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, homely environment where all children are well cared for and enjoy a range of interesting activities and outings. The childminder is still finding her way with the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is not fully secure in how to help children take the next steps in learning to ensure they make consistently good progress in all areas. The childminder takes her role seriously and looks critically at what she does. She has identified areas she needs to develop and she takes action to further improve what she offers for all children. She demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to observe and note children's interests and achievements; make use of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to assess their stage of development and plan for children's next steps, by providing experiences that build on children's interests  devise a system for monitoring the curriculum to ensure that all areas, especially problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are covered in sufficient detail

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the early years provision

The childminder makes safeguarding children a high priority. She ensures all adults in the house have undergone appropriate checks. She has a thorough understanding of her role in child protection and what to do should she have concerns. She has thoroughly assessed the potential risks to children within her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 own home and garden and on the outings they make. She takes prompt action to minimise any hazards and children learn how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows all the children in her care very well. She spends time with parents to find out all she can about their children's needs and daily routines. She offers good support and works with outside agencies to help support children with additional needs. The childminder shares written policies and records of children's achievements with parents so that they are well informed about how she works and the progress their children are making. Parents say that they are very happy with the care provided, especially the range of outings children enjoy. She is establishing links with other settings that children attend to help provide consistency in their learning and care. Children play with a good range of resources and although these are well organised and clearly labelled, lack of space makes it difficult, especially for younger children, to access all that is available.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her provision further. She is reflective, looking closely at all she does; she knows what she is good at and has successfully identified areas for improvement that will bring most benefit to the children. She actively seeks feedback from parents and children and requests advice from her child development worker to help her further develop what she offers. She has just started working towards a level 3 childcare qualification.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They understand the daily routine; happily lying on the mat to have a nappy changed or knowing they must wash their hands before eating. They are encouraged to clean their teeth after breakfast, by choosing from different flavoured pastes. The childminder clearly enjoys being with the children. She is warm and caring, offering lots of cuddles and spending time talking to and playing with them. Children are able to follow their own interests as they choose from the low level toy boxes and they know that the childminder will try and organise special activities if they ask, for example, making High School Musical collages. She helps develop early language skills by talking with children about what they are doing and she encourages young children to repeat noises. She knows what interests each child, for example, a toddler is excited to be lifted up to watch the rubbish collecting lorry go by.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to eat healthily. They sometimes help to prepare meals and they grow and harvest vegetables from the garden, which helps them learn about the natural world. Children count and learn about mathematical ideas in their everyday play, for example, counting cake cases into a tin or weighing ingredients. They have plenty of opportunities to develop early writing skills, for example, as they draw and paint and writing materials are kept where they can easily reach them. Children listen to music and enjoy dancing and moving to the rhythm. Their day is enriched by regular outings to places of interest, such as the music session at the library or to an open farm.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder monitors children's progress. She keeps records, illustrated with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 photographs, of each child involved in different activities. She links these to the different areas of learning but does not use them to accurately assess each child's stage of development and plan for the next step they must take to make good progress. She chooses topics to plan her activities around but these do not always stem from children's interests and are not always appropriate for the under three's in her care. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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