Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391161 Inspection date 20/10/2009 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 was registered in 2009. He lives with his wife, who is also registered as a childminder at the same address, and their three children aged three, seven and nine years, in the coastal town of Exmouth, Devon. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, one of whom may be in the early years age group when working alone. This ratio is extended to four children in the early years age group when working with his wife. He is currently minding four children in the early years age group as well as children over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder delivers and collects children from the local schools.

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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 all included equally and fairly within the provision and see a positive reflection of themselves to promote their sense of identity. Their individual needs are met appropriately through the effective partnerships with parents. Children's learning is planned according to their individual interests and preferences. However, systems do not encourage children to develop to their full potential in all areas of learning. As a result, children are making adequate progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has made some improvements to the quality of his provision since registration to further promote the Every Child Matters outcomes for children. However, systems for evaluating the provision are not fully successful in ensuring all requirements are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a written record of when all risk assessments are carried out and by whom (Documentation) 20/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with a broader range of experiences to promote all areas of learning, especially problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, and raising their awareness of diversity  use information from children's assessments to identify learning priorities to promote their next steps of learning and to encourage children to develop to their full potential This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the self evaluation further to identify more areas for improvement and to ensure all requirements are being met.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately by the childminder who has systems in place to promote their safety and well-being. This includes the provision of a safe and secure environment and working in partnership with his wife to supervise children well. In addition, risk assessments are carried out to keep children safe and secure at home and on outings. However, the childminder does not keep a written record of when these assessments are conducted and reviewed. This is a breach of a requirement. He has a secure understanding of his child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow to safeguard children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the EYFS. He works as a team with his wife to ensure children are supported and included equally and to meet their individual routines. He creates a positive environment in which he acts as a good role model, providing children with encouragement and praise to raise their self esteem. He encourages children to respect the needs and feelings of others. However, children are not supported well in learning about diversity within the community and the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended training courses and workshops since registration to update his knowledge and skills. This includes starting the Diploma in Home based Childcare qualification and training in risk assessment and safeguarding children. He has developed a self evaluation with some identified aspects for improvement to monitor and evaluate his provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established successful partnerships with parents. Comprehensive information is provided to support them in making an informed choice on admission. Parents provide details of their children's needs, and agreements are signed to promote consistency. Parents are kept well informed through daily journals, displays and daily communication. They are encouraged to contribute through completing questionnaires, and children's views are valued and sought. Some verbal links have been established with the other pre-school settings children attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children play with a suitable range of age appropriate play provision and activities which reflect their individual interests. Some of these resources are accessible to promote their independent play. Children's learning is planned suitably with a balance of free choice and organised activities within the daily routine. However, this system is not sufficient to ensure all areas of learning are promoted well. The childminder interacts in children's play with a quiet and gentle manner offering them support and gets involved in activities to keep them interested. He carries This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out weekly observation of their achievements which are recorded in assessment files with photographs and some examples of their work to illustrate their stage of development. However, he does not use this information to challenge and extend children or to identify their next steps of learning. As a result, children are not

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and outcomes for children

being encourage to develop to their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children arrive happy and settle in well. They demonstrate a sound sense of well- being. For example, exploring freely, cuddling up to the childminder when needing re-assurance or comfort, and smiling and chuckling at his jokes and interactions. Children are developing positive attitudes through sharing, taking turns and playing with kindness. Children communicate their needs and feelings with confidence, and their early language skills are promoted through discussion. They enjoy books, choosing favourite stories for adults to read. Children have some opportunities to problem solve in their play and to use resources to support their understanding of shape, size and position, although this is limited. Children use their imaginations with small world, role play and constructional activities. They also create with different media and materials. For example, they make play dough with the childminder and then, with his guidance, model shapes with their hands and tools.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy music and request favourite songs for him to play.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the childminder's care and learn about keeping safe through his house rules and learning about road safety and stranger danger on walks. Children's health is promoted appropriately through the provision of a suitably clean and well-maintained environment and learning to wash their hands appropriately. The childminder has a healthy eating policy and menu plan for parents, incorporating healthy home cooked meals. However, this is not always an accurate reflection of what is provided for children. Children have regular opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and to exercise. For example, walks within the town and trips to the local play parks. 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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