Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY376307 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 has been registered since 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and eight years. Their home is in the Old Walcot area of Swindon, Wiltshire, close to shops, parks, toddler groups, a library and other town amenities. The childminder walks children to and from the local school and pre- school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, of whom two may be on the Early Years Register. She is currently minding one child under five years, aged nine months. She also offers care to children aged over five years to six years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice, remain mostly downstairs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive setting in which children's individual needs are recognised and met. She makes full use of her verbal skills to promote successful outcomes for children's welfare, learning and development, so that good progress is made. She is less confident in developing systems to guide and evaluate her work and is not familiar with all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has made improvements since registration and shows satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the record of risk assessment to include outings (Documentation) 09/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 make the rear garden secure and, if registered, make use of it to further promote children's learning and development outdoors  implement a system to establish children's starting points and monitor their progress towards the early learning goals  develop systems that support quality improvement processes to identify the provision's strengths and areas for development accurately. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has been minding only two weeks at the time of this inspection but shows that she regards children's safety and welfare as a priority; she safeguards them appropriately. She protects children from unvetted persons when out in the community, and no one enters her home uninvited; however, her record of risk assessment does not comply fully with requirements of the EYFS. Other required documentation is in place and kept methodically and confidentially.

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the early years provision

The childminder is self-critical and able to detail areas in which she does well, such as interacting with the children, and recognises points for development. Some areas of weakness are missed, however, as there is no systematic method to identify these. Nevertheless, since becoming registered she has improved some areas of her provision, such as the development of suitable policies and better garden safety, although this is still not secure. This means she is not able to use all the resources available to her and children are limited in their outdoor exploratory play.

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the early years provision

The childminder quickly establishes good working relationships with parents and has developed effective two way communications, which help her to meet children's welfare and development needs appropriately. She is knowledgeable about how to support children with additional needs through wider partnerships.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy being in this childminder's company. They develop warm, trusting relationships with her quickly, which helps them have confidence to move around freely and choose what they wish to do. The childminder devotes her attention to the children, meeting their physical requirements through making sure they receive daily fresh air, plenty of exercise and periods of rest. She works with parents to make sure babies' home routines are followed, and that children eat healthy food. She understands the importance of encouraging all to take fresh water rather than sugary drinks.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their play. They experience all six areas of learning in the childminder's home through using a wide range of appropriate toys and resources. Younger ones socialise and learn to get on with others when visiting local toddler groups. At the time of the inspection, however, the rear garden is not registered for use and this prevents children from being able to choose whether to play indoors or outside. Additionally, they have few opportunities to explore natural materials, which inhibits the use of their senses for creative development.

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and outcomes for children

Despite these drawbacks, children develop skills for the future well, as the childminder is skilled in questioning, encouraging problem solving and singing nursery rhymes. She interacts well to support children, getting to know individuals very well and understanding what babies require of her. She speaks clearly, makes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good eye contact and repeats babies' attempts at 'finding their voices' back to them, therefore, developing their early communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Babies currently progress well in the EYFS but this is more by luck than judgement, as the childminder lacks detailed knowledge of the early learning goals. She does not have systems to establish children's starting points against the early learning goals and track progress towards them so cannot be certain that she is offering the full range of experiences. Nevertheless, the childminder picks up on spontaneous opportunities for learning well and her good interaction promotes progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder prevents the spread of cross-infection appropriately. She has established systems to look after children appropriately, should they become unwell when with her. She helps babies feel safe through responding to their needs quickly and using suitable procedures, such as strapping them in securely at meal times. She lays firm foundations for expected behaviour, such as always feeding them at the dining table, although they enjoy a cuddle when being bottle fed. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children and knows what procedure to follow if she has a concern. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 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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