Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391218 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Juliet Eileen Hartridge

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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, and lives with her partner and young child in Newton Abbot. She is temporarily providing childminding from her mother's home, who is also a registered childminder in Newton Abbot. Children are cared for on the ground floor of the house and in the securely enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years, and is on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range.

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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

Children are happy and well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder communicates effectively with the children's parents and carers and is well aware of the children's individual needs. She successfully uses this knowledge to ensure their welfare and learning requirements are met. Children's safety is well supported in the home and when they are out and about. The childminder is committed to developing her childminding provision, and effectively uses self- evaluation to identify areas she intends to improve in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further ways to gain more detailed information from the children's families regarding their children's starting points  devise systems to involve parents and carers in the self-evaluation process.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised and has an enthusiastic and professional approach to childminding which clearly helps children make progress in their learning and development. The home and garden is well organised and inviting to children and this ensures that children feel safe and secure, and are confident to explore as they play. Detailed risk assessments of the home, garden and outings are undertaken and regularly reviewed to minimise any hazards, and the fire evacuation plan is clearly displayed and practised by the children. Toys and books are clean and well maintained, and are readily available for children to make choices as they play. Children learn about recycling when they enjoy using scrap materials in creative play and art activities. The childminder is positive regarding the inclusion of all children and adapts activities to ensure they are accessible and enjoyable and sufficiently challenging for all. Children are becoming increasingly

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the early years provision

aware of differences as they play with puzzles or look at books together which depict the wider community. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard all children in her care, and her written policy and supporting documents are available for parents and carers to read. All adults in the household have undergone appropriate vetting procedures. Children's welfare is well supported due to the range of documents and policies in place, including accident and medication records and clearly recorded attendance register. Policies are shared with children's parents and carers, and the childminder talks to them every day to share information about their children's progress and day, and activities planned for the following day. A simple record of the children's interests is recorded by the childminder in discussion with their parents and carers when children start at the

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the early years provision

childminder's. This provides her with some helpful insight into children's starting points. Daily diaries are also available according to parents and carers preferences. Families are consequently included in the care of their children and are aware of their achievements as well as the routines and what is provided for their children in the setting. The childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with any other provision the children may attend in the future in order to promote their continuity of care and development. The childminder has a firm commitment to training and updating her skills as she has NVQ3 and first aid qualifications, but has also attended other training events recently. She effectively evaluates her provision for children, clearly outlining what is provided and steps she intends to take to secure improvements in the future in order to benefit the children in her

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the early years provision

care. However, the childminder has not involved the children's parents and carers in this process, in order to fully evaluate their views on her provision for their children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and very well settled in the childminder's care; nurturing, trusting relationships are most evident. Children are cared for with warmth and infectious good humour and the children and the childminder spontaneously laugh together as they play. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this knowledge to successfully promote the children's individual development and learning through enjoyable and purposeful play activities. Regular observations are undertaken for each child which clearly indicate the children's individual current interests and needs, as well as the progress in their development. These observations are linked to the areas of learning, to ensure children have varied play activities to enjoy. Simple plans are devised for the week's activities based on this information, and these are displayed where the children's parents and carers can read them. Photos

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and outcomes for children

of the children at play or enjoying outings are displayed in a scrap book, which promotes sharing of activity ideas and subsequent good continuity of care with the children's families.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved, they learn to share and consider each other's needs and the childminder has a positive approach, focusing on what the children are doing well in order to support their self esteem. They enjoy looking at photo displays of all the children who attend the setting, and smile broadly when they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accomplish a difficult task. For example a child concentrates carefully as she repeatedly clips the dolls buggy straps together, clapping as the childminder praises her achievement. Children have other opportunities to develop skills for the future when they draw up a grocery shopping list together, find the items in the supermarket, and come home to enjoy a cooking activity. Children's imagination and creativity is encouraged as they play with dolls, carefully mixing play food before gently and skilfully feeding the doll. Play tents and tunnels are set up inside

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and outcomes for children

and outdoors and children love playing peek-a-bo at the entrance or giggle together as they navigate the tunnel. Children particularly enjoy singing and are developing a strong sense of rhythm as they dance, rock or clap as they sing together. They enjoy story time, and their concentration and involvement is promoted as the childminder reads short stories in an animated and engaging way.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop healthy lifestyles, with regular opportunities for them to benefit from exercise in the fresh air. Outdoor play is available throughout the day, when children can easily access the garden from the spacious conservatory playroom. Outings to places of interest including the zoo, and walks in a nearby country park to feed the ducks or gather fir cones and leaves for painting activities, are a regular feature of their day. They learn about their local community when they visit other childminders or the shops; they enjoy visiting toddler groups where they learn new routines and have good opportunities to socialise with different children. Children are very secure with their familiar routines, confidently washing their hands and drying them on their individual towels before mealtimes, or eagerly rushing to the bathroom at nappy changing time. The childminder is a positive role model as she talks to the children about washing and drying her hands before she

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and outcomes for children

prepares their lunch. Children enjoy healthy home cooked meals, and mainly fruit based snacks, sometimes making pizza or baking bread to eat at lunchtime or take home to their families. 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 2 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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