Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY292898 Inspection date 04/01/2010 Inspector Jan Healy

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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 registered in 2004. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, mother and daughter close to the centre of Bath. Minded children have access to a lounge, playroom, kitchen and bedroom. The front garden provides an outside play area. The house is within walking distance of Widcombe school, local shops, a park and other amenities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age, or seven children when working with an assistant. There are currently 12 children of whom 11 are in the early years age group. The family have three pet cats. There is parking at the rear of the property for the convenience of the parent and children's arrival and departure.

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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 a warm and welcoming environment, where the children play happily with their friends. Outcomes for the children are sound and they are making reasonable progress in their learning and development. The childminder has the ability to continually improve her provision with the help of her assistants, with whom she shares a strong relationship.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop a method of self-evaluation to help make continuous improvement  carry out regular fire evacuation drills to allow all the children to take part  use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child

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the early years provision

There is a written statement with regard to safeguarding for the protection of the children. The childminder has a good understanding about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and takes precautions to ensure the children remain safe when indoors and when on outings. Risk assessments help to eliminate any hazards to the children, which are regularly updated to ensure they are effective.

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the early years provision

The children are making reasonable progress in their learning and development. They are spoken to with respect and kindness and are taught about the importance of treating all as they would like to be treated themselves. Major This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 festivals are celebrated and both the girls and the boys are encouraged to join in with all the play opportunities available. Reasonable steps have been taken to tackle recommendations from the previous inspection, such as furthering the provision of resources that reflect diversity. The childminder is committed to improving her provision by the successful completion of a childcare qualification, although her new found knowledge is not put into practice. The childminder has begun a method of self-evaluation to help her to identify her strengths and weaknesses with plans for the future being reasonably targeted.

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the early years provision

There are a range of written policies and statements for the parents' perusal, which helps to keep them up to date about the provision, for example, behaviour management and a procedure for the parents to raise a concern, should they have one. The parents report their satisfaction with the care their children receive, evident by the letters and cards retained. The childminder verbally exchanges information about the children's day, as well as having written information about nappy changes and the food and drink the children have consumed, to keep the parents up to date about their children's day. The childminder has begun to engage with other providers that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to aid her to provide consistent care.

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy and have a sense of belonging in the setting. They are confident, with the older children knowing what is expected of them. They demonstrate an understanding of keeping themselves safe, for example, the reason why safety gates are fitted. The children are learning how to handle tools safely, for instance when carrying scissors. Smoke alarms are maintained and regular fire evacuation drills take place, although not all children take part, as the procedure takes place on days when not all children are in attendance.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has strong understanding about the importance of maintaining the children's good health. She takes appropriate precautions to ensure the children adopt a healthy lifestyle by engaging them in various physical activities, including trips to the local park and for play in the garden. There is a good hygiene routine in place with regard to hand washing and nappy changing. Dietary requirements are respected and are met and the children eat whilst sitting together, making for a sociable atmosphere.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge with regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, there are currently no records of the children's starting points and no planning currently in place to allow the childminder to accurately assess the children's progress or to identify any concerns. Observations periodically take place, but they are not currently used to support or extend specific areas of the children's learning. A reasonable range of teaching methods, such as working with the children on both a one to one basis and in groups, make learning fun, such as when baking and reading stories. An adequate range of resources are available, some of which are easily accessible by the children, such as bricks for building, to help further their independence. Modern technology including a computer is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 available to extend the children's skills for the future, which the children access

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and outcomes for children

under adult supervision. The children are making a positive contribution, as they behave well and cooperate with each other during play, such as helping each other complete a jigsaw. They make friends easily and the noise level is kept to a minimum so all can be heard clearly. 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 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

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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 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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