Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY373436 Inspection date 05/03/2010 Inspector Louise Bonney

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2008. She lives with her husband and child in Aldershot, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She has three children currently on roll in the early years age range, some attending part-time. The childminder provides care from Monday to Sunday throughout the year and may provide overnight care for up to two children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder visits toddler groups and Sure Start centres regularly.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 is enthusiastic and committed to continually developing. She is beginning to record her self-evaluation to better reflect on all aspects of her provision, and introduces many improvements which benefit the children. She attends training and uses her new knowledge to observe, assess and plan for children’s learning and development, which leads to their making good progress in her care. She provides a safe and inclusive environment where children develop a strong sense of belonging and settle well. She establishes good partnerships with parents and liaises closely with them, which provides continuity for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to contribute to their children's learning and development records  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation further to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe and secure environment for the children. She carries out thorough risk assessments, reviews these regularly and effectively This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reduces hazards. She maintains documentation and records accurately and shares these with parents. She develops written policies and procedures, including complaints, sickness and safeguarding, which give clear information to parents. She is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and reflects these within her policy. She liaises closely with parents about children’s medical needs so that she is able to promote their good health. This safeguards children well.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows strong commitment to continually developing her provision. She is training for a Level 3 qualification and uses her new knowledge to improve her provision. This has led to improvements such as the introduction of heuristic play baskets for babies and effective systems for observing and assessing their progress towards the early learning goals. She identifies self-evaluation as an area to develop in order to more thoroughly assess all aspects of her provision. The childminder promptly acts upon external advice. This has led to improvements in her documentation and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage through attending training.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents with clear information about her provision. They complete consent forms, contracts, and child detail forms which help her identify and meet their individual needs. Parents sign their agreement to the policies and procedures, which inform them of how the childminder safeguards the children. The childminder completes a daily diary, which parents also contribute to. This, together with daily discussions, ensures good continuity for the children’s care and informs parents about their activities. The childminder continually shares her observational assessments of children’s development with parents, and helps them continue to build on children’s new skills at home, sometimes through sharing resources. The childminder does not yet involve parents in contributing to children’s progress records to provide more detailed assessments.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the practice guidance to the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively to evaluate children’s individual progress and to plan for their future development. She fully discusses children's needs and abilities with parents when they first join her provision. This helps her support them as individuals. She provides a stimulating range of good quality resources that children enjoy playing with and which they safely access, either from those set out or from low storage units. The garden is well equipped with larger apparatus to encourage children to develop physical skills. She balances activities so that children have time to play at home quietly and to go out each day, such as to groups and parks. She takes into account resources and activities also available outside and at other groups when planning for children’s next steps, such as walks arranged by a Sure Start children’s centre. This provides children with a wide range of activities that help

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and outcomes for children

them make good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Babies show they are secure and happy with the childminder as they play contentedly. They develop skills as they crawl to reach toys or pull themselves up This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the childminder’s support. Babies show confidence as they approach the childminder and enjoy her interaction with them. Babies develop good attitudes towards trying new things as the childminder introduces fun activities, such as making foot prints with paint or exploring clay. Children learn appropriate behaviour through the childminder’s consistent and calm approach. Toddlers learn how to play safely and take care around babies. Babies develop control and physical skills as they crawl, push along walkers or go to soft-play centres. These activities also provide challenges that help them learn to identify and manage suitable risks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her observations and discussions with parents to identify children’s individual health needs. She is responsive to changes in their diets and administers prescribed medication with parents' prior written consent, keeping accurate records which she shares with them. Babies follow their home routines as they rest and feed, which helps them flourish in her care. They receive good emotional support as the childminder gives them a cuddle, such as when they wake, and they quickly settle to play again. Children have good opportunities to learn about their community and socialise with others and for exercise and fresh air as they go out to groups and parks each day. The childminder liaises with parents about children’s diets to ensure they are well nourished. Parents currently provide all children’s meals while the childminder provides fruit for snacks, which they enjoy eating independently. This supports children's good health.

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and outcomes for children

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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