Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY242533 Inspection date 05/02/2010 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband, adult son and daughter and child aged nine years. The home is in a quiet cul-de-sac that is close to Tewkesbury town centre in Gloucestershire where there are shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole house is available for childminding, with the ground floor as the main play area. The second floor is restricted to use by children over five years. The garden is to the front of the property with grass and blocked paving areas. The family have a hamster, a cat and an African snail as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to offer care before, during and after school and during the holiday. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to older children up to 11 years. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and nursery and attends a family centre.

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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 make suitable progress in their learning as the childminder is aware of the next steps in their development. She caringly supports their chosen play with calm, challenging interaction and is planning to improve her provision by adopting a system for assessment that would enable her to begin to monitor the children's progress in learning. An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for families so that the individual needs of children are soundly supported. Most required documentation is basically completed and children's welfare is satisfactorily promoted by the childminder to foster their health and safety. The childminder has strong relationships with families and is developing links with parents and other providers to support children's progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 record information about who has legal contact and parental responsibility for the child. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 19/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 use assessment to identify links with areas of learning to monitor children’s progress towards each early learning goal. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children have the freedom to move safely around the home from one area to another, depending on which activity they are taking part in. The childminder encourages them to choose from the satisfactory range of quality resources in different areas of storage. She has adopted sound procedures and systems to safeguard children that are reflected in her daily practice. The adults living on the premises with sole access to children are checked and the childminder protects children from those who are not suitably vetted. There is comprehensive risk assessment for the indoor and outdoor areas used by children and for outings. The childminder checks the premises daily so that areas are safe and suitable for the children to access. She has a secure knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect and is aware of the correct procedure to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. Children’s individual records are, generally, clear and up

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the early years provision

to date, therefore promoting satisfactory quality care. Most required documentation is basically in place and is stored confidentially, though details are not recorded concerning who has legal contact and who has parental responsibility for the children. The childminder takes great care to offer equality of opportunity through an individualised service for each child to foster their well-being.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents and carers is sound and families speak highly of the childminder, as they regard her personal support, flexibility and caring manner as particular strengths. In conversation, families are provided with suitable information when they first contact the childminder. She tells parents about the children’s daily care, the activities they enjoy and their achievements. In this way, parents have some opportunities to become involved in supporting their child's learning and development at home, for example, by continuing cooking activities. Partnerships with other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage support the child regarding any concerns and continuity in their learning. The childminder is satisfactorily committed to improving her practice. She attends basic training and has begun to evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement of her provision. For example, she wants to develop ways in which she communicates with parents

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the early years provision

by using a learning diary. The action and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been sufficiently addressed. As a result, there is a positive impact on the children's safety and learning, and a strengthening of the partnership with parents and other providers. This demonstrates the childminder's sound commitment to continuing improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are suitably helped to learn and develop because of the childminder's steadily growing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The environment satisfactorily helps children progress towards the early learning goals as some accessible, quality resources promote choice and they have space for small group and individual activities. Children benefit from the sound balance of adult- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suggested and child-led activities and have suitable opportunities to explore in daily indoor and outdoor activities. They begin to gain self-care skills by storing their outdoor clothes and invitations to help to tidy resources as they finish playing. The childminder closely observes the children's play and is developing her system to record the assessment. She satisfactorily uses information gathered from these, along with her knowledge of the children, to meet their needs as they

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and outcomes for children

play and to provide appropriate challenges. For example, a young child's interest in counting was observed and learning is to be extended through counting to higher numbers in everyday situations, such as climbing stairs. The assessment is not yet linked to the areas of learning to check that the children are progressing towards each learning goal.

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and outcomes for children

The children benefit from the childminder's quiet enthusiasm and her interaction and involvement in their play. She responds calmly to their comments and queries about pictures and challenges them with interesting questions so their listening and communication skills soundly develop. The childminder appropriately supports children's spontaneous activities, for example, as they build a 'pool' for a toy crocodile. She is patient and gives them all the time they need, for example, to spread out and examine puzzle pieces, so they are well involved and concentrate on their play. Children's maths skills are suitably fostered as the childminder uses maths language during play activities. They confidently talk about their ages and enjoy number songs, including 'Five speckled frogs'. The childminder soundly encourages children to learn about the wider community as they visit shops and go on trips to the park. Children have some opportunities to investigate materials and

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and outcomes for children

living things as they roll snowballs, grow seeds, feed the birds and help to look after the giant African snail.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to learn about a healthy lifestyle as they go on walks and regularly play in the garden. They begin to appreciate the importance of a healthy diet by eating a range of nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder is well aware of their dietary needs that are usually catered for by their parents. Drinking water is freely available to children during the day, so they stay hydrated. Established routines for hand washing after toileting, messy play and before main meals ensure that young children follow suitable personal hygiene practice. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise emergency evacuation procedures so they become aware of escape routes and routines. They learn some ways of how to stay safe when out walking as they hold hands and check the road before crossing. The childminder is a positive role model for children and frequently uses praise to encourage them. Children follow this lead as

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and outcomes for children

they respond to requests to say 'please' and learn to take turns, for example, in role play with a 'shopping trolley' and 'till'. 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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