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 505975 Inspection date 08/07/2009 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 1987. She lives with her husband and two children, both aged over 16 years, in Wanborough, near Swindon, Wiltshire, close to shops, parks and toddler groups. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family keep three pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, including three on the Early Years Register. She is currently minding four children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 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

Children may use the entire house, although in practice remain mostly downstairs. 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 satisfactory. The childminder welcomes all children and offers an inclusive setting, providing them with a positive experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children make good progress in their learning and development due to good interaction from the childminder and through using a commendable variety of resources, which meet all children's requirements. However, the childminder has breached a regulation, so receives a judgement of satisfactory at this inspection. Additionally, she has limited systems to evaluate her provision, which means her ability to maintain continuous improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the system of assessment to identify children's next steps in learning against the early learning goals  implement a system to help the youngest children become independent in choosing resources  implement a system to evaluate practice fully, including a regular review of policies.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of risk assessment that complies with the requirements of the EYFS (Documentation) 31/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

This experienced childminder adapts her home well for childminding purposes. She organises her time suitably, so that she is able to cater for children of differing ages and needs. She recognises the importance of protecting children from persons who have not been checked as being suitable to be with children when out in the local community. However, the childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of a change in the persons aged 16 years living on her childminding premises. This is a specific legal requirement in the statutory framework for the EYFS. Ofsted does not intend to prosecute on this occasion.

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provision

The childminder forms good partnerships with parents and others connected with the children, such as children's key persons at other settings they attend. She makes good use of communications technology to keep parents advised as to how their children are settling in. She keeps them updated with children's progress in learning and development through daily diaries and regular chats.

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provision

The childminder begins to evaluate her practice but is in the early stages of doing so. She identifies some areas where she needs to undertake additional training but the lack of an effective system results in areas of weakness being overlooked; there is no regular review of her polices, for example. Nevertheless, the childminder keeps her first aid skills updated and attends courses in food and kitchen hygiene, which help her keep children healthy.

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provision

The childminder maintains most required documentation and monitors her records to identify any recurring accidents, although she does not keep a record of risk assessment, as required in the EYFS. Taken overall, she safeguards children satisfactorily.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled and confident in this childminder's company and she clearly enjoys being with them. Good relationships result in children trusting the childminder to meet their needs appropriately and give them sufficient confidence to learn through exploratory play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes a caring approach, giving cuddles as she reads stories and comfort when minor bumps occur. She interacts well with children of all ages, encouraging babies to look at themselves in mirrors and older children to study earwigs in 'bug-pots'. She adapts her language, conversation and questions to match children's different stages of development, so that all progress well in their learning, including the more able. She is a good role model to them, speaking clearly and having a positive approach to behaviour management, to which children respond well, learning to play amicably along side each other. The childminder picks up well on spontaneous opportunities for teaching children how to play safely, such as explaining that they must not use toy hammers to hit each other. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines during potty training. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a suitable balance of indoor and outdoor learning. The childminder plans a balance between adult-led experiences, such as bubble blowing outside and those that children lead for themselves. Children use a particularly wide range of resources; however, there is no system for the younger ones to choose from the full range independently, which prevents them from becoming more independent as learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children experience all six required areas of learning on a daily basis, both indoors and outside. The childminder knows their individual levels of development through observation and shares their 'Learning journeys' with parents, suggesting ways learning may be supported at home. However, the assessment system does not pinpoint the next steps for children's learning against the early learning goals, so there is no way of checking that all are covered.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a secure and very clean homely environment in which the childminder identifies most potential hazards to children's safety well. She implements her policies, such as the nappy and toilet training policy, using disposable gloves and paper towels. This contributes to children's good health being promoted well. The childminder understands the need to protect children's welfare. She has attended additional training in safeguarding children and knows the procedures to follow should she have any child protection concerns. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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: 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

 ensure that all persons living on the premises, over the age of 16 years, are cleared as suitable to be with children (Suitability of persons in regular contact with children) 22/07/2009

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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 required on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register ((Suitability of persons in regular contact with children). 22/07/2009

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