Childminder in SomersetOfsted inspection, 14 Jan 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339882 Inspection date 14/01/2010 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, seven and five years, in a four bedroom semi- detached house situated in the village of Martock in Somerset. Minded children have use of all areas within the home including a dedicated playroom on the ground floor, where toilet facilities are also accessible. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the house. The childminder has one dog, who can be kept in his own separate area. 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 four children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for eight children, five of whom are 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 happy and settled and develop a warm relationship with the childminder. They benefit from being cared for in a generally safe and welcoming home environment, where they can easily access an interesting range of toys and resources. The childminder gathers sufficient information, which enables her to support children's individual care needs. Children are provided with a suitable range of activities, which keep them interested and involved throughout the day. The childminder addresses areas for improvement identified by others, but does not always evaluate her own skills or practices to ensure she makes continued improvements to benefit the children attending.

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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 for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (W1.2 Promoting good health) 01/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 increase awareness of safeguarding procedures to ensure children's ongoing safety is fully protected  extend the systems to observe and assess each child's achievements, interests and learning styles and use this information to identify learning priorities and plan learning experiences to further support children's development in all areas  introduce more opportunities to exchange information with parents and others providing care for the children and regularly update information already held, to make sure children's care and learning needs are fully met. 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 basic awareness of safeguarding procedures. She is aware of some of the signs and symptoms which may cause her to be concerned, but is not confident in the procedure to follow should she have a concern. Existing injuries are not always recorded and she does not have access to any written information or documents, such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to help her. She has not developed a written policy of her own to share with parents to ensure they are fully aware of her role and responsibility. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments on the premises and in general is proactive in taking steps to ensure children's ongoing safety is maintained. The childminder encourages children in positive routines to promote their own health; they have easy access to toilet and hand washing facilities, which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder considers the individual needs of the

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the early years provision

children to ensure these are valued and respected. She is fully aware of individual dietary needs and ensures any preferences are met to support children's ongoing health and well-being. The childminder ensures she discusses any needs for medication fully with parents and gains the necessary skills to enable her to administer this safely. However, she has not gained written permission from all parents for seeking medical attention or advice for a child in the event of an emergency. This is a requirement of registration. Overall, documentation is in place and is used to support children's ongoing welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures her home is clean and well organised to allow children to explore the range of equipment and resources freely. Equipment is positioned well to ensure children can access items for themselves. She has made a photo album of items which are not available every day, enabling children to request something which is stored in a different area or room offering them a wider variety.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken steps to address recommendations and update her skills since the last inspection. This has led to an improvement in children's safety as they now practise the emergency evacuation procedure and fire safety equipment is in place as necessary. She has also updated her first aid qualification to ensure she is able to support children should they have an accident. However, the childminder is not always proactive in ensuring steps are taken to make changes. For example, she has gathered some information about recording observations and planning activities for children, but has not started using this as yet to ensure children are fully challenged and supported in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents with some information about the service she provides, which includes a daily diary detailing activities, outings and events. She obtains a sufficient level of information about children's individual needs, but sometimes does not update this when changes occur to ensure her records are accurate. Parents are happy with the service she provides and feel they benefit from her reliable and flexible approach. Currently, the childminder does not involve parents or others providing care for the children, such as other childminders or This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 staff at the pre-school or school, in planning for children's progress to promote consistency and encourage them all to work together.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about supporting their own health and safety through daily routines. Some children enjoy going swimming on a weekly basis, developing confidence in the water whilst benefiting from the physical exercise. Children take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures, ensuring they are confident in what to do should an incident occur and are taught about hazards around them. They are reminded about road safety and understand about certain boundaries within the home, which are there to keep them safe. They learn to share and take turns, encouraged by the childminder praising them for playing well. Some basic resources such as books and small world figures are available, which help children develop a positive awareness and understanding of others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home and confident in the familiar daily routines. The childminder provides children with a range of activities, which are generally appropriate to their age and stage of development. They gain independence as they explore the range of toys and resources available to them and make choices about what they want to play with. They use their imaginations well as they play with the dolls, the shop and the electronic till. The childminder is fully involved as they play, encouraging them to use language to communicate their thoughts and to start to introduce them to letter sounds. As they build a tower of bricks they talk about putting one more on and about how the tower is getting higher, involving them in simple problem solving. Children enjoy being involved in creative activities both at the childminders home and when attending toddler groups. Following recent snow fall, where children made snowmen in the

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and outcomes for children

garden, they are offered materials such as cotton wool and pipe cleaners to create their own snowman pictures. Although the childminder can identify some of the skills children need to develop as she watches them participate and play, she does not formalise these observations to help her plan future activities, which will challenge them fully and better support individual children to take the next step in their learning and development. 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

 produce and implement a written policy regarding safeguarding procedures (CR2 Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 01/02/2010

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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 detailed for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. 01/02/2010

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