Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153833 Inspection date 11/09/2009 Inspector Susan Esther Harvey

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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 April 2001. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and eight on the outskirts of Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is access to a toilet on the ground floor, there is also a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have four guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to two children over the age of five. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and pre-school and goes to a toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An exceptionally well developed understanding of each child's needs ensures that the childminder fully promotes children's welfare and learning. Children are incredibly safe and secure in the care of the childminder. Partnerships with parents are a key strength and are significant in making sure that the needs of all the children are met. This means that children progress exceptionally well, given their age, ability and starting points. Improving outcomes for children are extremely well met due to the childminder's ability to fully identify her capacity to improve.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further systems for expanding information in order to assess practice through self-evaluation

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the early years provision

The childminder is abundantly aware of the responsibility to safeguard children in her care. She is proactive in her effort to regularly update her knowledge with regard to child protection by attending training courses so that she has the most recent understanding about current legislation. She is very aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a concern about a child. Through the childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment in making sure children are safe, she teaches them safety rules and boundaries indoors, outside and on outings, where they are protected from adults who are not vetted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is meticulous in constantly improving partnerships with parents so that relevant information is shared and used to support the planning and the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This consistent approach also enables the childminder to respond swiftly to any learning and development needs that are identified, which is particularly evidenced in her care for young children. For example, the childminder has a created an informative daily written record about what young children have been doing and what activities have taken place. This information is shared between herself and parents and invaluable in ensuring that parents are kept informed of their children's time with the childminder. The introduction of a regular news letter increases parents awareness of what the children have been doing and where they have been visiting. There are detailed observations and assessments of children, which are

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the early years provision

supported by photographic evidence of their development. This also includes evaluations of their self-initiated activities which contribute towards their individual plans and next steps. Time is meticulously taken by the childminder to use information given by parents about the children's ability at home and their starting points. As a result, the childminder has an exceedingly good all-round picture of the children before they start in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and has ambitions to further raise the standards of care and learning for all children in her care. She is confident and capable of making continuous improvements which contributes significantly to the vision she has in providing high quality outcomes for children. An example of this is her commitment to monthly training events which contribute towards acquiring a national qualification. A method of self-evaluation clearly states the targets the childminder wishes to meet. However, expansion in evaluating her practice has yet to be developed. The deployment of resources both inside and out in the garden clearly has an impact on all children's learning. For example, young children delight in the opportunity to splash around in the water tray outside, pouring and measuring water, they spontaneously water potatoes and sweet corn growing in pots, or practise the skill of investigating things repeatedly, such as opening and

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the early years provision

closing a button on a musical toy. The childminder is highly inclusive in her practice as pictures displayed on the wall reflecting varying family makeup and resources, provides children with knowledge of the wider world and the diverse society in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Young children make excellent progress as they develop confidence in exploring their surroundings and there is a wealth of resources which are readily accessible to children. For example, the robust wooden dolls' house offers the children the chance to role play as they begin to make choices about the resources they play with. The childminder responds immediately to young children when they indicate for help and can follow simple instructions, such as feeding the childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guinea pigs while watching in wonder as they drink from their bottle. This increases young children's confidence and secures their relationship with the childminder. Young children approach the childminder with ease, who acts immediately when they need a drink or food. Safety is a top priority both in the home and outside for the childminder and she teaches young children about the

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and outcomes for children

importance of keeping safe. They are consistently encouraged to tidy away toys from the floor and learn the importance of how to come down steps safely.

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and outcomes for children

All policies and procedures are retained on file to a high standard and the risk assessment record covers all areas of likely risk. Accident records are used to improve risks if showing a pattern which needs to be further assessed. A variety of parental consents are in place and they are fully aware of the procedure that will follow in the event of a child going missing or late collection of children. The childminder not only discusses the procedures with all parents, they also have access to copies of the childminder's policies and procedures. These are organised on file and easily available.

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and outcomes for children

Young children learn to behave through the childminder's gentle persuasion and patience; they are exceedingly well occupied, interested and motivated in their play and receive lots of cuddles. Young children are confident when standing alone or moving around in safety, they are curious and inquisitive in their surroundings. The skills young children learn are enhanced by the childminder's good role modelling which increases their awareness of their health and hygiene. For example, sound procedures are in place when changing nappies, high-quality fresh food is cooked and eaten with enthusiasm by young children and they have daily fresh air. Time is spent in the garden in all weathers as the childminder has provided a waterproof siren suit for children and Wellington boots, so that they can splash in puddles. This along with the regular outings highly contributes to the children having lots of fun as well as understanding the importance of a healthy

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and outcomes for children

lifestyle. As a result, the input from the childminder, such as acquiring a healthy eating award, highly promotes children's learning and encourages their development. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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