Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253951 Inspection date 07/12/2009 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 2003. She lives with her partner and three children aged eleven, nine and two years in Illminster, Somerset. The accommodation available for childminding includes use of the lounge/diner on the ground floor and toilet and sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family keep two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group as well as children over five years to eleven years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder delivers and collects children from the local schools.

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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

Children are valued as individuals and see a positive reflection of themselves within the childminder's home to support their sense of belonging. Their needs and interests are planned for and promoted effectively on an individual basis to support them in achieving their full potential. As a result, children are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder values the importance of continuous development and has implemented many improvements since her last inspection to promote the Every Child Matters outcomes for children. However, her self-evaluation systems do not ensure improvements are identified and addressed in all aspects of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all areas of the provision, especially the refrigerator, are kept clean and hygienic to further promote children's health and hygiene  develop the self-evaluation systems to secure improvements in all aspects of children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively by the childminder. She keeps up to date and well-organised policies, procedures and records which she uses efficiently to meet children's needs. Thorough risk assessments maintain good standards of safety within the house and on outings. The childminder has a clear knowledge of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has good organisational skills. She dedicates her time to interacting, supervising and supporting children, and as a result they are active and fully involved. She creates a positive environment in which she acts as a good role model, managing issues with a calm and consistent manner and offering encouragement and praise to raise children's self-esteem. Children are supported

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the early years provision

well in learning about the needs and lives of others through the range of multi- cultural play provision, and simple exploration of different countries and cultures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successful systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of her provision. This includes the beginnings of a self-evaluation record and her own annual evaluation. However, this does not successfully monitor all aspects of her provision or make clear how children will benefit. In addition, she meets regularly with the local authority and has addressed all of their recommendations. The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and skills, and has attended many courses and workshops since her last inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established excellent working partnerships with parents. She provides them with a wealth of information on admission to support them in making an informed choice. Parents provide the childminder with information regarding their child's needs and agreements are signed to promote consistency, including acceptance of all her policies and procedures. In addition, parents complete a child profile on admission to support the childminder's early assessments. Parents are kept very well informed and involved through displays, completing questionnaires and home books. In addition, the childminder has formed links with other settings children attend for consistency in their care, learning and welfare.

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and outcomes for children

Children play within an enabling environment in which they freely access toys from the dedicated play room to promote their independent learning. They enjoy a good range of play provision to support all aspects of their learning and which reflects their personal interests. Children's learning is planned and monitored on an individual basis. The childminder carries out observations of children to assess their stage of development and their changing interests. As they achieve, she updates their assessment profiles, which are kept for most children, to provide a reflection of their stage of development. Children benefit from a good balance of activities each day around their own routines. This ensures time for free-play and exploration, some organised activities and outdoor play. The childminder has a good knowledge of the EYFS and interacts skilfully to support and extend children's learning. As a result, children are making good progress in all areas of their

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about positive attitudes, needs and feelings of others through sharing, taking turns and comforting children who are upset. They demonstrate their good sense of well-being through their independent play, self confidence and active involvement. Children communicate with confidence, expressing themselves This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and sharing their knowledge openly. Their speech and language is promoted well by the childminder who asks lots of questions and encourages them to recall events. They enjoy books and listen well to favourite stories in which they join in. Children use mathematical language in their play, such as counting, describing the position of objects, and problem solve through completing puzzles and constructing. Children use their imaginations well in role play and with small world toys. They also use their creative skills in a variety of craft activities and exploring

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for within a safe environment in which they are well supervised, and learn about keeping safe through guidance and practical activities. For example, learning that roads are for cars and pavements for people in road safety and practising the fire drill. This all supports children in feeling safe and secure. Children's health is supported through the provision of nutritious food and drink, and learning about effective personal hygiene. They are cared for within a generally clean and hygienic environment, although the refrigerator has not been cleaned sufficiently to ensure hygienic storage of children's food. Children benefit from regular activities at home and in different environments within the town to promote their fitness and physical development. 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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