Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 154042 Inspection date 26/11/2009 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2001. She lives with her three children aged 11, 16 and 19 years. They live in a semi-detached house in North Tawton, approximately seven miles from Okehampton. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there are toilet facilities on both floors. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats, two dogs, a hamster and two rabbits. The animals are kept in the house, with a separate area of the garden used by the dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 13 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from North Tawton primary school and pre- school. She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association. The childminder's daughter works as her assistant on a part time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's good knowledge of the children and their individual needs ensures she can effectively meet their welfare and development requirements. She builds good partnerships with parents and other providers, which means she can provide consistent, complimentary care and learning. This means that children make good progress considering their starting points and abilities, and no child is disadvantaged. Children are secure in the childminder's home and kept safe on the regular walks and outings she organises. The good use of self-evaluation helps the childminder to identify her own areas for development and to respond to the needs of her users.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessment for safeguarding children when taking them swimming  ensure records clearly show when working with an assistant and when they are left in sole charge, to maintain evidence of who is responsible for the children  continue to develop the assessments to include parents' contributions and agreed ways of working together to extend children's learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe from harm through the childminder's good knowledge and procedures to safeguard children. Good emergency plans are in place for a range of different scenarios. Risk assessments are carried out on all areas of the property and for each type of outing, these include appropriate actions to take to help minimise risks to children. Although the childminder can clearly demonstrate how she keeps children safe when taking them swimming the written record is not as clear. She has a good awareness of signs and symptoms of child abuse and has completed NSPCC online training. She has good documentation in place to provide further guidance. All adult members of the household have had appropriate checks completed. Children's records contain all necessary information to safeguard children and accurate records are maintained of children's attendance. However, they do not clearly show when the childminder's assistant is working or left in sole

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the early years provision

charge of the children. This only happens when it is for the benefit of the children. For example, to enable the childminder to pick children up from school in inclement weather, while younger children can remain in the home. The childminder and her assistant hold a first aid qualification and have a good supply of first aid equipment, plus another for outings.

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the early years provision

Clear, written policies and procedures are shared with parents to provide consistent information on the childminder's practice. The childminder ensures that parents are kept well informed, including on the inspection process, to enable them to express their opinions and wishes. The childminder works closely with the local pre-school and school, and effectively liaises with them to enable her to complement the children's care and learning, and to ensure a smooth transition from her care to that of the local school. Parents receive good feedback on their children's care, daily routines, and learning and development. Observations and photographs provide a visual representation of their children's development. However, parents' contributions are not currently included.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of self-evaluation to identify her own strengths and areas for development. She actively seeks the opinions of both parents and the children to ensure she is meeting their needs and to improve her practice. For example, older children requested the opportunity to go swimming in the school holiday and the childminder has organised hiring the school pool. The childminder identified a need to make resources more available to children for them to make choices. Many of the toys are stored upstairs so to enable this she has made a photograph album of all resources for children to select from. Low level units have been purchased so that children can access art and craft materials independently. The childminder has assessed her premises and activities to ensure they are suitable for all children to be included. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and happy in the childminder's home. Children enjoy playing with a range of accessible resources and are able to make alternative choices. They take an active role in the daily routines and enjoy being given responsibility, for example setting the table for meals and taking care of the environment. Children are encouraged to be as independent as possible to promote their skills and learning. The childminder provides just the right amount of interaction to prevent them getting frustrated and to move their learning on. Children build good relationships and support each other in their learning. For example, older children play games with the younger ones, who repeat their words and actions. Each child has their own container for their personal belongings and items they have made; this promotes their sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a safe and healthy lifestyle through their daily routines and activities. They learn about road safety on their daily walks to school and on the arranged outings. They discuss why certain rules are in place, how to be safe near water and what to do if they should ever become lost. Children have their own bottles of drink to access at any time. They have their name and picture on them so that children of all abilities recognise their bottle. Good nappy changing procedures protect younger children and they all wash their hands before eating; using paper towels to prevent cross contamination. Children are confident to request food when they are hungry and make healthy choices from a range of nutritional snacks and meals. The children get involved in buying local fresh foods and discussing healthy eating. The younger children demonstrate through their play their awareness of healthy practices. For example, they pretend to brush their

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and outcomes for children

doll's teeth before putting them to bed. Children have daily opportunities to be outside and enjoy exercise. They use large climbing equipment at a local park, and enjoy constructing and playing with large cardboard boxes.

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages communicate with confidence. Older children use the computer and books to complete their homework, and all children enjoy visiting the library. They are encouraged to ask questions about the world they live in and to develop a positive attitude to people's differences. The childminder provides a good role model and encourages the children to make decisions between them and to work as a team. The childminder knows the children well and has a good awareness of how to promote their development. She observes their achievements and plans for their next stages through adult and child-initiated activities, and purposeful play. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 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 2

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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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