Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY302512 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Janet Armstrong

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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 2005. He lives with his wife and two sons, aged 16 and 10 years in a two bedroomed semi-detached house in Musbury, near Axminster, Devon. All areas of the home are used for childminding purposes, with a living room and kitchen/dining room used as the main accommodation. Toilet facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He is registered to care for a maximum of six children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently nine children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range and all attend on a part time basis. The childminder works alongside his wife, who is also a registered childminder. Together they are registered to care for up to six children, all of whom may be in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Devon Childminding Association. He holds the Introduction to Childminding Practice certificate.

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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 works very closely with his wife to ensure that all the children's needs are supported well and they enjoy the wide range of activities provided. The children have a positive attitude towards their learning and respond well to the childminder's interactions and gentle manner. He knows the individual children well and works closely with parents and his wife to ensure that they make good progress in their learning. Self-evaluation and daily discussion with his wife ensures that practices are adapted and improved on to maintain continuous improvement and promote positive outcomes for the children in their care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 update knowledge of child protection procedures to further secure awareness and safeguard children's welfare  further develop written observation and assessemnt systems to identify the children's next steps in their learning  further develop systems for working with other early years settings that children attend to promote consistency and continuity in their care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder prioritises children's safety to ensure they are able to play and explore in a safe and secure environment under good levels of supervision. Effective risk assessments of the home, garden and any outings enjoyed means that any potential hazards are identified and addressed to support the children's safety. These are supported by daily monitoring of the environment to minimise risks, for example, a young child is just becoming mobile and uses a small dolls house as a prop to help them stand up. The childminder recognises the potential danger of the toy not being sturdy enough and removes it so that it no longer poses any hazard. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and has some awareness of procedures to follow should he have a concern about a child, and would ensure that any issues or concerns are shared with his wife.

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the early years provision

A warm, family home is provided where children are welcomed. Good use has been made of the home and garden to provide children with clear space to play and explore their own ideas. Organisation of the rooms caters for the children's care needs well, providing them with free and independent access to a wide range of suitable play provision and toys to support their interests and learning. The childminder works closely with his wife to ensure that the children are supervised in their activities and their needs met through sharing tasks and responsibilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a gentle and sensitive approach, providing children with a positive role model and clear and consistent messages about expectations of behaviour. Children learn to show care and kindness to others, and to share and take turns in their play. Children learn about the wider world in which they live through access to a good range of play provision that raises their awareness of diversity and difference.

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the early years provision

There is a wide range of written policies and procedures in place that are effectively shared with parents. This means that parents are able to make informed decisions about the care and learning their children receive based on the practices and procedures followed by the childminder. Effective communication with parents helps to ensure that the individual needs of each child and family are met. Daily discussions, use of a daily diary and regular sharing of the children's records of assessments means that parents are kept well informed and able to share and contribute what they know and want for their children. Systems for working with other early years settings that the children attend are not fully effective to enable both parties to share what they know about the children to enable them to work together consistently.

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the early years provision

The childminder works alongside and very closely with his wife, to provide parents and children with a consistent and unified approach. Improvements, issues, concerns and good practice are identified through his wife sharing her knowledge from training and workshops attended, self-evaluation systems, regular discussions with his wife, reading and through his own attendance of some training. This enables him to maintain current standards and identify key strengths. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children's welfare is promoted well. They are learning to follow healthy and hygienic routines that introduce them to regular hand washing throughout the day. They learn about their own and others' safety through following house rules and participating in regular fire drills where they learn what action to follow in an emergency situation. For example, a four-year-old informs the childminder that, should there be a fire, he should call '999' and the child as they 'have a super hose'!

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers children warm, caring and gentle interaction that encourages them to share what they know and need and develop good communication skills. He is sensitive in his approach, for example, he supports a one-year-old well in enabling and encouraging them to explore a range of toys and play provision found as they become more and more mobile and able to access and initiate their own play. The child particularly enjoys the treasure basket full of natural materials. The childminder talks to the child about what they find and makes good use of his tone that encourages the child to vocalise using noises and 'baby talk'. The chid is inquisitive and curious about the different items as they use their senses to explore further through touch and taste.

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and outcomes for children

Older children enjoy the freedom to explore and initiate their own play and engage in the range of activities provided. This helps them to use their imaginations well as they explore indoors and the back garden. Their positive relationships formed with other children and the childminder means that they have high levels of self- esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning is promoted well through planning that identifies a range of activities that are linked to themes and the six areas of learning. Observation and assessment systems record each child's progress in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage steps through all six areas of learning. Photographs and evidence of the children's mark making and creativity support the records. The records show good evidence of the children's learning, although they do not identify key next steps to further support and focus the childminder's attention to enable him to further extend and challenge the children in their learning. 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 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 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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