Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 10 Dec 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY306714 Inspection date 10/12/2009 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a house in Calne, Wiltshire. The family have three cats. All of the house may be used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll, including three children in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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

All children receive a warm welcome from the childminder and her family. They play with a good range of appropriate toys but best use is not made of the available space, which limits their opportunities to learn and play. They are cared for in a safe and secure environment and make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder does not have an effective system in place to evaluate the quality of her practice, although, she has identified some areas for future development. She is keen to improve what she provides for children and regularly attends training. She demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to further improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 make more effective use of indoor space so that children have adequate room for free movement, messy play and well spread activities  make greater use of children's developmental records by ensuring plans are put into practice and activities are provided that follow children's individual interests, abilities and help them take the next step in their learning  make greater use of the garden and other outdoor spaces for activities that enable children to learn across all areas of their development  continue to devise ways to identify and address areas for development and maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are kept very safe whilst with the childminder. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and has completed training to further develop her knowledge. She is clear about her responsibilities to safeguard children and would know what to do if she had concerns. All the adults in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 household have undergone the relevant checks on their suitability and the childminder is aware of her responsibility to ensure new members are also cleared. She carries out routine risk assessments of all that children come into contact with and takes action to minimise any hazards identified. The home is warm and clean and the childminder follows good procedures to protect children from illness and infection.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed about the care provided and their children's progress. The childminder keeps detailed daily diaries for the youngest children and talks with parents to ensure that home routines are followed. Parents write to express their satisfaction with the care of their children. The childminder is aware of the importance of forming effective partnerships with other early years settings that children attend. Children use a separate playroom, where they play, eat and usually rest, whilst in the home. The room is welcoming and well resourced with toys stored on low level units where children can reach them for themselves. Other areas of the house are included in the registration but are not generally used by the children, except when they need a quiet place to sleep. When several children are present, this means they do not have enough room to move around freely, enjoy messy play or games needing more space, without interfering with other

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the early years provision

children's activities. In the warmer months, children routinely use the garden but at other times of the year, the garden is not used so that children do not enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play every day.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an inclusive policy and all children are welcomed into her care. She values their differences, for example, by learning and displaying words from their home language and by providing a few toys and books that reflect people from different backgrounds and ways of life. The childminder considers her effectiveness by observing the children and talking with parents and she occasionally gets feedback from questionnaires. This helps her reflect on her practice but she has yet to develop an effective system to identify and target improvements that will bring about the most benefit for the children, such as making better use of the space in her home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and form warm relationships with the childminder. She is caring and attentive with the children and they happily go to her for help or a cuddle when needed. She is thoughtful about their needs, for example, settling them comfortably when they need a sleep. She works closely with parents to make sure that children's needs are met and home routines are followed, such as when toilet training. Children play in a safe home and they learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know they must stop, look and hold hands before crossing the road. The youngest children learn to safely come downstairs on their bottoms and they take part in regular fire drills so that they could quickly leave the house in an emergency. They are also learning about good hygiene as they clean their hands before eating. They enjoy healthy snacks and meals, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Meals are sociable relaxed times, when they sit together and talk

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and outcomes for children

about their day. Babies are helped to feed themselves and everyone is gently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to try new tastes and textures.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress in all areas of their development as they take part in a good balance of adult-led and free play activities. They develop a love of books as they choose favourites from the shelf and snuggle up to share a story. The childminder helps the children learn as they play, for example, by counting ducks in a book or sorting bricks into different colours. They enjoy plenty of rhyming and musical activities that help them with early language skills. They enjoy outings and these add variety to their day, for example, taking part in messy play at the childminding group or feeding lambs at an open farm. Children learn to play cooperatively with others and to share and take turns; arguments are reduced as the childminder makes sure she has enough of the most popular toys for everyone to play with.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good observations of children's interests and achievements and illustrates these with photographs and examples of children's art work. She makes effective use of guidance documents to help her plan the next steps in their learning and her written comments show that she has a good understanding of the different areas of development and the progress children are expected to make. She does not, however, make best use of these records to put her plans into practice. 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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