Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392513 Inspection date 06/10/2009 Inspector Christine Slaney

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 April 2009. He lives with his wife who is also a registered childminder. They have three school-aged children. They live in a three bedroom house in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children access the first floor for sleeping and to use the bathroom. The loft conversion bedroom is not used. Children also access an enclosed back garden. The dwelling is within walking distance of schools, pre- schools, parks and places of interest. It is accessed by three steps to the front door. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and may care for up to five children in the early years age range, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently 10 children enrolled, nine of whom are in the early years age range. The family own two Border Collie dogs, who are kennelled

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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

At the time of inspection no children were present. However the childminder was able to demonstrate a satisfactory and sometimes good knowledge and understanding about the children he helps provide care for. The childminder is jointly registered with his wife although at present mainly working as an assistant to ensure ratios are always met. The childminder was able to give good examples of how children feel relaxed and happy and how he provides a suitable range of free play activities. He is committed with his wife to provide a good service. There is a developing self-evaluation form which helps identify areas to improve. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the existing planning and assessment system in order to ensure it fully meets children's needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder was able to demonstration through discussion the benefits of self- evaluation. This means he is able to evaluate his practice and identify areas of strength and points for further development. A particular strength is his ability to complete comprehensive risk assessments. Observations and assessments are developing into some lovely learning journals with clear links to the Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition these are frequently shared with parents. The childminder recognises that these systems are continuing to evolve. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are happy with the service and receive information about their children's progress. In addition, the childminder demonstrated a good knowledge and understanding of the importance of creating a service, which supports children’s unique interests. This is helping the childminder to develop a close working

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the early years provision

relationship with parents. In addition, he is starting to plan very simple activities around children’s likes and dislikes for example babies who enjoy crawling and children's love of trains and fire engines.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good systems in place for safeguarding children. He ensures those who come into contact with minded children are suitable to do so and he maintains close supervision at all times. Children are further protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder was able to demonstrate through discussion how he enables children to feel relaxed and happy in the home environment. The childminder explained how he interacts with children and responds immediately to their needs, for example, recognises when they are becoming tired and going for a walk in the pushchair as this is the best way they settle.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s individual starting points are known and understood because they are discussed regularly with parents. Parents are informed about their child's progress through learning journals. Children are given opportunities to explore the environment and their own interests are used to identify the next step in their learning for example placing objects slightly out of reach of exploring babies.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a clean home where good standards of hygiene are implemented. The childminder ensures children have clean hands before eating and are actively encouraged to develop good routine care practices like washing hands. This means they are well protected from cross-infection. Furthermore, children enjoy healthy snacks of fruit, and the meals they bring from home are stored in accordance with food hygiene recommendations. Children are kept very safe in the home as the childminder is constantly checking the environment to ensure that there are no hazards, for example, pointing out the footpaths which may be slippery.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has systems in place to respond appropriately. Children are kept safe in the home and also when on outings. Children are learning to play cooperatively and share. The childminder stated he regularly offers appropriate praise. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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