Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392240 Inspection date 16/09/2009 Inspector Anne-Marie Moyse

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and three children in Okehampton in Devon. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a qualified teacher and is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one. Currently, the childminder cares for three children in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family have two cats, two rabbits and stick insects.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to take and collect children from South Tawton Primary School. The childminder regularly takes children to visit the library, parks and farm parks.

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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

The partnership developed between the childminder and the parents is excellent. Detailed induction and settling-in routines allows the childminder to gather an in- depth understanding of each child's individual needs, preferences and starting points. She uses this information effectively to plan and support each child's learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder's very reflective practice ensures that each aspect of her provision is continually monitored and evaluated, this includes ensuring that all children are happy and making the most of their time when they are with her. The childminder's outstanding ability to self-evaluate her own provision and practice is a key strength to identifying and maintaining continuous development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop partnership with other carers and provisions children attend to ensure continuity and progression  continue to review policies and prospectus to reflect the practice of the setting

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the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally well organised and prepared to provide a high standard of care and education for each child. She ensures that children are safeguarded at all times with effective systems in place to enable children to play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in a safe and secure environment, which is stimulating and welcoming. She makes excellent use of her home, with a designated play room where children can access a good range of high quality toys and resources freely. Detailed risk assessments and procedures are in place to keep children safe when they go on outings to explore their local community. The childminder's clear understanding of child protection procedures are well supported with detailed guidance and records to ensure children's wellbeing is always a priority.

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the early years provision

The excellent relationship developed between the childminder and parents foster an excellent commitment to meeting each child individual needs, promoting and inclusive environment, where each child's differences are understood and supported. Excellent information is provided for parents to keep them up to date on the Early Years Foundation Stage and the business arrangements. However, the childminder has recognised that her policies are under constant review, so that they reflect her developing experience and understanding of the childminding business. Parents are provided with very high quality learning journals for each child which clearly monitors each child's progress and development in each area of learning. This is well supported by the use of a daily communication diary, which is effectively used to ensure that parents have a clear record of their child's day. The diary also enables parents to make comments and contribute to the childminder's

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the early years provision

understanding of the child's home life and parents preferences. However, partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage have not yet been fully established, in order to provide effective systems to ensure that continuity of care is maintained and cohesive learning experiences promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder's professional teacher training and experience has provided her with excellent skills and understanding of children's development and learning, and a clear vision for her provision. This, combined with her very reflective practice, contributes to her driving ambition to further develop the already high standards of her early years business. The childminder's constant self-evaluation and assessment of both the children's progress and her own, clearly identifies areas of strengths and areas for development. Information gathered from parents and development support workers is promptly acted on and improvements made. The childminder is ambitious and wishes to continue her own self-development by attending training specifically designed to support and further enhance the provision for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and exceptionally well settled in the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. They have formed warm, strong, trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are developing their confidence in exploring the home and gaining a good understanding of where toys are stored, and knowing what activities are on offer. They happily investigate the range of toys stored in the welcoming playroom, where children's art work and mobiles are attractively displayed to celebrate children's achievements and accomplishments. The playroom provides a very comfortable and relaxed environment where children can safely access the resources and play on the floor, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or cuddle up with the childminder on the sofa to enjoy reading books together. The kitchen area is well used as a messy play area with an easel for chalking or

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and outcomes for children

painting quickly assembled when children indicate they want to play with it.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported in their play, by the childminder's enthusiastic and confident ability to follow the child's interests and play ideas. They are encouraged to try out new experiences and are given time and support to develop their play. For example, children are tentative in playing with the play dough, but through encouragement and the introduction of animal shape cutters they develop confidence and explore the texture of the dough. The childminder talks and praises the child at each step in his discovery, fostering his curiosity and achievement. This results in the child laughing and giggling with the childminder as they make the animal noises when cutting out the animal shapes together. Children's interests are further supported as they play with the small world toys, identifying the different types of animals and grouping them together. Children develop new manipulative skills as they play with the pop up farmer, laughing and repeating the action as the

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and outcomes for children

Children's language and love of books is positively supported with the childminder and children regularly read together and visit the library to choose books and listen to stories. Young children sit and concentrate independently, engrossed in their own favourite books, identifying the pictures and turning the pages in their own time. Children join in enthusiastically with the songs and rhymes, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the music. This is promoted through the daily personal routines, such as nappy changing, which is achieved in a sensitive and hygienic manner, whilst the child joins in with the song. Children's understanding of healthy lifestyles are promoted through regularly accessing their drinks, and eating healthy snacks. The children are involved in visiting a garden allotment to harvest vegetables, and collect eggs from the chicken coop learning about where food comes from in their local environment. Food is home cooked and provides children

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and outcomes for children

with a very healthy balanced diet which meets their individual needs. Daily outings and walks, or playing in the park contributes to children's physical development and good health. Children are developing a clear understanding of feeling safe as they are learning about road safety as they go on walks and are given clear guidance in playing safely in the park. They are involved in regular evacuation practises so that they are familiar with procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Children are very well behaved and are developing good manners and respect for themselves and each other. They help to tidy toys away and respond positively to the appropriate boundaries set by the childminder, such as removing their shoes when entering the home.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress and individual learning is exceptionally well documented in the beautiful learning journals created by the childminder. Photographs are annotated with detailed accounts of what the child is achieving and learning from the activity, clearly linked to each area of learning, and identifies the next step for the child to take in their learning. The childminder makes good use of information from the family home to support a consistent approach in the child's development, such as reinforcing newly acquired words or interests. The learning records are frequently shared with parents so they can contribute and be fully involved in the child's time This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the childminder. 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 2 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 1

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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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