Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY336380 Inspection date 27/11/2009 Inspector Shirley Ann Jackson

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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 2006. She lives with her partner and child aged four years. The family live in a house in the Haydon End area of Swindon. All areas of their home are used for minding, at the childminder's discretion. There is a garden available for outdoor play. Their home is within walking distance of school, playgroups, shops and the library.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll aged from one to three years. The childminder is also able to offer care to older children. This is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 meets the needs of all children by recognising the uniqueness of each child. She offers care and education which is tailored to them as individuals. Each child is effectively supported in their play and learning, enabling them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder promotes many aspects of children's welfare with success, ensuring they are safe and well cared for. Partnerships with parents and carers are well-established and the childminder recognises them as central to their child's well-being. The childminder has not yet forged links with other registered settings which children also attend. The childminder uses ongoing reflection of her practise to identify strengths and areas for development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing. The assessment must be reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 build links with other settings children attend to ensure that practitioners regularly share the children's development and learning records and any other relevant information 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 has produced comprehensive, written policies and procedures. These accurately reflect her daily practice with the children. Parents are all given a copy to ensure they are fully informed about the setting and how it operates. The childminder has conducted risk assessments on her home and garden. However, she has not put in place a risk assessment for each type of outing taken with the children. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has attended a child protection training course. This has given her a sound knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect and she is aware of the procedure to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. All documentation is in place to promote good quality care. Individual records are informative, promoting inclusive care and helping to meet the needs of all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised. She uses the available space within her home effectively to care for minded children. The childminder uses a dedicated playroom which offers a good range of well-presented, good quality resources. Children are able to self select resources and then put them away when they have finished, giving them choice and ownership of their play. Children move freely around the ground floor rooms, depending on which activity they are taking part in. This enabling learning environment encourages the children to become independent learners.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. When parents first approach the childminder she shares her childminding folder with them. This contains her policies and procedures, her training certificates and some personal information. When parents commit to her service, the childminder gives them copies of her policies and procedures. Ongoing information is then shared through informal feedback at the end of the day, daily diaries and sharing children's learning journeys. The childminder holds six monthly reviews with parents at their home. This is an opportunity to look through their child's progress records and share any changes in circumstances or information. Parents' feedback sheets share how much they value the childminder's flexibility and the learning opportunities she offers to the children. The childminder is not aware that learning and development records need to be shared with other registered settings which children also

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving the service she offers children and their families. She uses ongoing, informal reflection of her practice and has just completed a written evaluation of her setting. This has resulted in her starting a recognised childcare qualification training course. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed, showing a commitment to continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm, motivation and detailed knowledge of their individual needs. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's company and have a warm, secure relationship with her. They also play contentedly alongside the childminder's own child. This secure relationship enables children to become confident and independent learners. The childminder talks confidently about what each child is interested in and what they like to play with. Flexible plans are in place and the childminder uses her knowledge of each child to offer these at a level which is suitable for them and for their abilities and interests. Systems are in place to observe and assess the children as they play. These are supported by photographs, linked to areas of learning, including next steps and what to share with parents. The childminder then uses this information to enable her to plan for the next stage in each child's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Young children feel safe and secure within healthy relationships with the childminder. For example, they seek her out for re-assurance and raise their arms for her to lift them up. Young children have a strong exploratory impulse. They explore the environment with interest and take pleasure in learning new skills. Children show a desire to help with hygiene routines. For example, when the childminder said 'let's go and wash our hands ready for lunch', a child went off to the cloakroom ready to wash her hands and she did the same thing at nappy change time, getting out the mat and her bag. Young children communicate preferences, such as, nodding their head for yes and shaking it for no. Children enjoy outings in the local community as they go for trips on the bus, visit the library and visit Roves Farm to see the animals. The childminder builds a sense of belonging as children put their shoes on a mat with their photo on it when they

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and outcomes for children

arrive. This begins to help children's awareness of differences and similarities as they look at hair and eye colour. She celebrates their success by displaying children's work in the rooms used. Children's early communication skills are fostered through conversations with the childminder. Young children make noises which the childminder interprets and responds to. A love of books is promoted as children regularly snuggle up with the childminder to share books together. The childminder promotes children's early maths skills, for example, as she counts the number of raisins left on their plate at snack time. Children enjoy playing with toys which make noises and light up, giggling as they push balls into it and it makes a noise. Children explore sound as they help themselves to musical instruments and play them. Their creativity and imagination are promoted as they use props, such as, dolls and a shopping trolley for role play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. They follow well- established routines for hand washing, nappy changes and bedtimes. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. These are freshly prepared by the childminder who tries to incorporate the '5 a day' concept. Children have regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they visit nearby play parks or play in the childminder's garden. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise emergency evacuation drills. They look at safety through taking part in different activities and visits from professionals. 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 3 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 3 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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