Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY395406 Inspection date 18/11/2009 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 registered to care for children in 2009. She lives with her partner and two year old child in a house in the Ernsettle area of Plymouth. Children have access to all areas of the childminder's home. Care is mainly provided on the ground floor with access to lounge/diner and kitchen facilities at this level. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play. Access to the house is via two small steps but there is also level access to the rear of the property. The family have two pet dragons that are kept in a tank in the lounge.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children, two of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for one child who is in the early years age 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

Children are settled within the childminder's home. The childminder has an adequate awareness of each child's needs to ensure these are met. She has introduced some basic systems to monitor children's progress and generally provides them with age appropriate activities which interest them. Overall, children's safety is promoted and their day-to-day health is supported. The childminder is keen to increase her skills through attending training. She has not yet established an effective system to evaluate her performance, to ensure changes are made to secure further improvements in the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents at the time of a child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. (W1.1 Safeguarding and welfare) 27/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for risk assessments, to ensure all potential hazards are identified to minimise risks to children  build on the current system for observing children's progress, to identify the next steps and plan for each individual child to promote thier learning and development fully  develop a secure system for self evaluation, to identify strengths and areas for improvement to help ensure continued improvement. 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 a sound understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if there are concerns. She has up-to-date information and shares her written policy with parents to ensure they are clear on her role and responsibilities. This helps to protect children from harm. Although risk assessments have been completed on the home these are not reviewed, to ensure children's safety continues to be promoted as they grow and are more able to explore the environment. For example, the childminder has not ensured that items such as cleaning materials are inaccessible to minded children.

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the early years provision

Space within the childminder's home is organised appropriately to meet children's needs. However, use of the outdoor area is not fully encouraged throughout the year to extend children's experiences. Children use a satisfactory range of toys and resources which they can access independently according to their age and stage of development. The childminder has some books which reflect positive images of diversity. She regularly takes children on outings within the local area to build an awareness of their own communities. The childminder organises the day to allow children to make choices. However, she does not always plan or make accessible the types of activities which will help children to take the next in their learning and development. The childminder considers the needs of each child and is willing to adapt the provision she offers to support individual children appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive working relationships with parents. They enjoy the opportunity to exchange information during informal discussions at the beginning and end of each day, as well as through the daily record sheets which detail events and routines. They are provided with some information about the procedures the childminder follows to help them make an informed choice. However, the childminder has not produced a written complaints procedure to ensure parents are fully aware of what to do should they have an issue with an aspect of care. Parents provide detailed information about their child's needs when they first start, which helps the childminder to know and understand each child as an individual. Most documentation is used well to support children's welfare, for example, the childminder completes detail records if a child has an accident and ensures accurate times of children's attendance is recorded. However, she has not

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the early years provision

sought written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical attention or advice. This is a statutory requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to attend training to extend her own knowledge and has recently enrolled on a level three childcare course. However, although she identifies some areas for improvement as she reviews her practice, she is not always pro-active in making changes to benefit the children she provides for. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally happy and settled in the childminders care. She has a secure awareness of their individual routines and needs, gathered from children's detail forms completed by parents, which helps children to feel settled. They benefit from going on outings to local places of interest and have opportunities to use the suitable range of toys and equipment within the childminders home. Children are developing an interest in books. They enjoy a quiet story whilst sitting with the childminder before they fall asleep. She talks to them about what they can see in the pictures, building their interest and increasing their concentration. Children have opportunities to engage in creative activities such as painting. Some examples of their work are kept in a file to share with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to follow positive routines to maintain their health, such as washing their hands before meal times or snacks. They are reminded about boundaries within the home, which are in place to help keep them safe. However, they have not had an opportunity to practise the emergency evacuation procedures to ensure they are familiar with the routine.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes the children as they play. She sometimes records these observations to enable her to monitor where children are at in their learning. However, she does not use this information to help her plan the next steps for each child to support them in moving forward. Overall, the childminder is guided by the children's choice of activity when they arrive. She ensures a range of age appropriate toys are accessible, however, she does not always use her knowledge of children's preferences or make good use of resources such as the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance to help her provide activities which will encourage children to reach their full potential in all areas of learning. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. (CR7 Procedures for dealing with complaints) 27/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. (CR7 Procedures for dealing with complaints) 27/11/2009

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