Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 101381 Inspection date 17/10/2009 Inspector Zahida Hatia

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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 2002. She lives in Minchinhampton near Stroud in Gloucestershire, with her three children, two sons aged 15 and 13 and a 10 year old daughter. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. She lives close to a number of local amenities including Minchinhampton common, shops, parks and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old, three of whom may be in the early years age group at any one time. The childminder offers a full and part-time service, including before and after school care and school holidays. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She holds a level 3 childcare qualification. The family has a pet dog and a rabbit.

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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 childminder clearly evaluates the service she provides, and attends a wide range of training to ensure continuous improvement is made. She offers an extremely warm, caring and friendly welcoming environment to all children and their parents. The childminder provides an extensive range of experiences and ample opportunities to ensure all children make very good progress in their learning and 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 links with other providers to ensure continuity and coherence for all children

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the early years provision

Children are very well protected as the childminder has an extremely good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. The risk of accidental injury is minimised as robust risk assessments include very detailed information about all indoor and outdoor activities and each outing. Records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and are extremely well maintained. The childminder's ongoing commitment to training has a very positive impact on the high quality care provided. She shows a deep understanding of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effect of activities and experiences on children's overall development. Resources, space and time are extremely well organised to maximise children's play opportunities, which helps to promote their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are extremely well developed. Parents are very pleased with the 'excellent service' provided. A daily two-way flow of information ensures parents are fully aware of the activities their children have enjoyed. This is complemented with written diaries which keep parents informed of children's daily routines and progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

All recommendations from the previous inspection have been positively addressed. The childminder is committed to providing an extremely high quality service to children and their families. She gains feedback from parents verbally and in the form of questionnaires, which helps to further develop the service she provides. She attends a wide variety of training which has a positive impact on children's overall well-being. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the benefits of making links with other providers such as local authority advisors and other childminders, to ensure continuity and coherence in children's learning and development. However, links with some providers are not yet fully developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. The extremely good range of activities provided clearly covers each area of learning. This demonstrates the childminder's thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. The childminder's comprehensive understanding of children's individual needs, personalities and background ensures that a challenging learning experience is provided for all children. Very good systems are in place to observe and assess children's progress. Children's learning records very clearly show their progress towards the early learning goals. This information is constantly shared with parents. The childminder has clear plans in place and activities are linked to children's interests and developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen and eager to join in with adult-led activities. They clearly enjoy creative play as they regularly get involved in cooking activities with the childminder. They confidently talk about the colour, texture and smell of the fruit they had for snack and lunch. This helps to develop a range of children's senses as well as their communication, language and literacy skills. Children use numeracy effectively in everyday play situations and explore shape through fun activities. They develop their awareness of the local environment through a wide range of planned activities, such as exploring the common near the childminder's house, where they can watch the herd of cows grazing. This also helps develop their understanding of the natural environment around them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is secure at all times, helping to safeguard children exceedingly well. Planned activities effectively raise children's awareness of danger. For example, children take part in fire evacuation practice and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder regularly reminds children about holding hands and listening out for traffic before crossing the road, all of which helps children to feel safe. Children take part in an extensive range of activities to promote healthy lifestyles. For example, food tasting sessions and baking activities, where the childminder discusses healthy options, such as eating plenty of fresh fruit and eating home- cooked foods. This helps children to learn about keeping healthy and well. They regularly visit local parks and soft play areas to help develop their physical skills whilst enjoying the fresh air.

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and outcomes for children

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 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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