Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY242073 Inspection date 18/01/2010 Inspector Brenda Joan Flewitt

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and nine years, on the outskirts of Exmouth, Devon. The ground floor is used for childminding, which includes a lounge-dining room, kitchen and conservatory which is used as a playroom. Toilet and sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet hamster, which is kept in a cage in the dining area, to which the children have supervised access.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age range. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder has a BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing, and is a member of the Devon Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming family home, where the childminder knows them well as individuals. Children are involved in a good range of activities, both inside and out, which offer a variety of learning experiences. The effective partnerships with parents, together with the positive support the childminder provides for children's activities, helps them make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has some good methods to help her evaluate her provision, and maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure a record of the risk assessment for each type of outing is kept, stating when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 01/02/2010

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the organisation of toys and resources, so that children can make spontaneous choices from a full range to extend their own play and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder implements clear policies and procedures to promote children's welfare and safety. She completes detailed risk assessments of her home to ensure that children play in a safe environment. The childminder has safe procedures for outings and organises activities outside the home giving consideration to risks to the children. However, there is no record kept of these, which is a requirement. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children, which includes recognising signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if there are concerns. She keeps information readily available for reference. All this helps to protect children from harm.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder organises her home well to meet the needs of the children in her care. She has suitable equipment to help keep them safe when playing, sleeping and travelling. There is an appropriate range of toys and equipment available, which includes some resources that reflect positive images of diversity. However, young children cannot always access a full range of play equipment at any one time, to make spontaneous choices and extend their own play and learning. The childminder knows each child well as an individual. They are encouraged to have an open attitude to people's differences through the good example set by the childminder as they meet various people throughout the day.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes good relationships with parents. She supplies a copy of the written policies for parents to read at the beginning of the arrangement. There is ongoing dialogue between the childminder and parents in order to meet individual needs. Two-way daily diaries support the verbal exchange of information. Parents' knowledge of their child's achievements at home are included in the assessment and planning for children's progress. The childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with other settings that children attend, when required.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has addressed the recommendations set at the last inspection, which has improved aspects of children's health, and information supplied to parents. She has completed a self-evaluation document, which has helped her identify areas for development. The childminder has worked hard to develop an effective system to record children's progress in their learning. She keeps up to date with changes and various childcare issues by attending training and seeking online information.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and secure in the care of their childminder. They play and learn in a welcoming family home where they make good relationships with the childminder, older children and each other. Young children are confident to make their needs known, as they can be sure of a friendly and caring response. Children behave very well. They learn to take turns and share equipment. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, two children choose Mr Men stickers to stick in a book, waiting for each other to make their choice. They enjoy turn-taking games, such as rolling a ball back and forth to each other. Children know what to expect through familiar routines and clear explanation. They receive continuous praise and encouragement for effort and achievement, which helps boost their self-esteem and offer praise to others.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's activities are planned according to their interests. The childminder is developing a good system for assessing children's stage of development, which she uses successfully to plan their next steps. Children are involved in a good range of activities over a period of time. They start to learn about shape, space and number and solve problems through their play and everyday activities. For example, they count how many people are playing ball, or how many bricks they are using as they construct towers. Children develop good language skills to communicate their needs, knowledge and suggestions. They enjoy looking at books together, identifying familiar objects and images. The childminder joins in their play, talking with the children helping them increase vocabulary, solve problems and develop an understanding of the world around them.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise, which include walking to and from school and regular visits to the beach, where children use the open space to develop large muscle skills. They walk, run and use buckets and spades to transport sand and build sandcastles. Children start to make healthy choices in what they eat from food provided from home, which is discussed with parents to promote healthy eating. Toddlers sleeping patterns and personal hygiene routines are respected to ensure there is consistency in the support for their progress. Children learn about aspects of their own safety when they are out and about as they practise safe procedures for crossing roads. They start to understand safe ways to behave and use equipment, so that they do not injure themselves or others. Children are involved in regular practises of the emergency escape plan, so that they know what to expect in a real situation.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8