Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY334389 Inspection date 23/11/2009 Inspector Hilary Elizabeth Tierney

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 2006. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and an adult daughter and son aged 12 years in the residential area of Purton in Swindon. The whole of the house is used for childminding. The family have a dog and hamster.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder also cares for six children over eight years of age. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and also takes them to the local library, park and shops.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group.

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 recognised as unique and their individual needs are met well. They are progressing well in all areas of learning and development. Children have developed a good understanding about health and safety through careful guidance from the childminder. A good partnership with parents has developed and information is shared with them regularly. Detailed written policies and procedures contribute to the smooth running of the setting. The childminder has completed self-evaluation and demonstrates a commitment to improvement through clearly identifying areas for development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop the links between sensitive observational assessments and the general planning of activities that include children’s interests, so that all children’s individual needs continue to be met  develop risk assessments further and ensure all aspects of the environment that children come into contact with are covered

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. The childminder has clear policies and procedures to help her keep children safe. She is clear about the procedure to follow in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 event of having any concerns about a child in her care. She keeps records of children's existing injuries and shares these with parents. The childminder has ensured that authorised people to collect children are recorded. Although risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly, these do not cover all aspects of the environment that children come into contact with. Risk assessments for outings have been completed, but lack some detail. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe and understand the rules of the house. They use fluorescent jackets when walking to and from school and are taught about road safety. The doors of the home remain locked when children are present and the keys nearby

p.4

the early years provision

to be used if an emergency arises. Fire drills are practised with children and clear records kept. The childminder has devised a questionnaire for children to complete about evacuation procedures to help them understand the importance of fire drills. The older children help the younger children complete these. Clear accident records are kept and shared with parents.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has completed the self-evaluation process and has clearly identified areas for improvement. She has completed the recommendations from the last inspection successfully. The childminder is committed to improving her practice and works hard to provide good quality childcare. The childminder has made a start on observations of children, however, she is not evaluating or fully identifying children's next steps or interests and linking these to the planning of activities. The childminder has a good range of balanced resources and uses these effectively to help children learn and develop and understand about the diversity within the community. The childminder is calm, caring and treats all children as unique and individual.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a good partnership with parents. Detailed information is shared with them daily both verbally and on a notice board. Parent questionnaires are completed and help the childminder improve her practice. Parents' comments praise the childminder and the care she provides. The partnerships with other early years providers are in their infancy as children in the childminder's care have just started to attend them. However, the childminder demonstrated clearly how she intends to develop these links and ensure that all adults caring for the children are involved in their care.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content at the setting and the homely environment provides them with a safe place to play. The childminder is warm and welcoming towards the children and shows genuine affection for them. Children are well behaved and understand the rules of the home, such as taking their shoes off as they enter the home. They have a sense of belonging and displays of their work can be seen around the kitchen walls. The children respond well to the positive language used by the childminder, she praises and encourages them as they play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well in all areas of learning and development, the childminder has a good understanding about the Early Years Foundation Stage and consequently all areas of learning are covered in the activities she provides. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children were observed having a lovely time at the home and using their imagination as they played with small world resources. Children have easy access to books and enjoy looking at these alone or with the childminder. Children have good opportunities to develop their language skills through good communication with the childminder as they play. Open questions help children think and make choices. Children develop their independence through being given choices of activities, being able to visit the toilet alone and washing their hands. Children are able to develop their physical development through walks, outings and visits to the

p.5

and outcomes for children

park. Children are beginning to recognise that they can use items to count such as using their fingers. Children are developing skills for the future through careful guidance from the childminder. Children learn to share, take turns and make friends. They are active learners and eager to learn, they enjoy taking part in songs and singing and were observed listening to songs they like such as, 'Bob the builder'.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles and are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, and after using the toilet and being outside. All children have their own hand towels which helps to prevent the spread of infection. Clear accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents. All necessary written parental permissions are in place. There is a clear sickness policy in place. Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise and regularly walk to school and the park with the childminder. Children have easy access to drinking water and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure healthy food is provided for them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

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 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

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