Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279726 Inspection date 16/03/2010 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 registered in 2004. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two school aged children, in Nine Elms, West Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, toddler groups, a park, library and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder sometimes works with another who also lives on the premises. The childminder can take children to and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. The family keep two dogs and a rabbit in the house.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice remain mostly downstairs. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for three children in the early years age range, at any one time. She can also provide overnight care for no more than three children. When working with an assistant the number of children cared for increases to 10 of whom six may be in the early years age group. However, at present, she minds nine children aged 11 months to eight years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. There are six children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. She also helps to run a parent carer and toddler group for minded children on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a very happy, welcoming and inclusive environment where all children are motivated and extremely well cared for. She has an excellent understanding of each child's individual needs and successfully promotes their learning and welfare. The systems for observation and assessment of children's achievements are well established. The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents and other providers, helping to fully support children's development and learning. She follows clear procedures to ensure children are kept safe and secure. Through the use of self-evaluation she is able to reflect on her practice and demonstrates a very good capacity for improving what is offered to the children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the systems to evaluate the provision and undertake training as identified through self-evaluation  providing all parents with information about suitable lunch box contents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

This experienced childminder takes a professional approach to her role. She has a very clear understanding of child protection, safeguarding children extremely well and protecting them from unchecked persons. No one enters her home uninvited and a record of visitors is kept. She keeps a robust record of risk assessments, which includes careful evaluation of each of the many different outings taken with the children. All required documentation is in place. A range of suitable polices and procedures helps guide her practice, so that days run smoothly.

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the early years provision

The childminder draws on a range of sources to help evaluate her provision, such as feedback from parents and the children. She makes full use of support available from other childminders and actively seeks ideas to improve her practice from the local childminding network of whom she is part. She accurately pin points areas for improvement, such as where her knowledge and skills require updating. She enjoys attending training courses to enhance her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses newly acquired knowledge extremely well to improve outcomes for children; for example, attending a forest school course results in the provision of additional outside play and environmental activities for the children's enjoyment. The childminder makes excellent use of resources, both in and outside her home, to provide a stimulating range of experiences for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the need to work with others involved with the children, such as local pre-school staff. She is establishing good links, by sharing information before children move on to pre-school or school, which aids the settling-in processes. Excellent relationships with parents contribute significantly to every child's individual requirements being met. The encourages most parents to provide healthy lunch boxes. She shows strong commitment to equality and diversity, actively challenging discriminatory remarks and positively promoting the differing backgrounds of children in her care, so no one is disadvantaged or excluded.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly delight in their experiences with this childminder because she provides such interesting activities for them in both her home and garden. Children enjoy an imaginative range of outings in the locality and further afield, such as to Lower Shaw Farm and the Link Centre. they also make frequent trips to the supermarket, to find 'Fair Trade' labels on a range of food. This enriches children's lives and helps them learn about the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an excellent role model for the children, who reflect her questioning and positive attitude by being curious and active learners. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder, who is warm and caring towards them. They play extremely well independently, happily concentrating at self- chosen activities, such as playing with dolls pretending to feed and change their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nappies. Older children show they have learnt to share resources; they trust the childminder to sort out minor disagreements when their younger friends do not share. The childminder's fair, consistent approach means all enjoy their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a inspiring mix of indoor and outdoor play. They enjoy choosing things to do from the varied range of high quality items available. At other times they follow the childminder's choice, doing sticking and gluing activities with her or visiting the local parent and toddler group. Even these experiences are based around children's evolving needs and interests because the childminder gets to know their capabilities extremely well, so is fully aware of what they need to achieve next. She has high expectations to which children respond well.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in gaining skills for their future lives, particularly in their language acquisition and conversation skills. This is because the childminder constantly talks to the children using a wide and varied vocabulary. They are learning extremely well how to negotiate with each other over sharing toys and taking turns. The childminder's calm and sensitive approach promotes respectful relationships. Excellent use of praise and encouragement fosters children's self-confidence. They have choices in their play and wherever possible they are consulted and involved in decision-making. They express their feelings competently, one child declaring, 'Can I put my baby in the pushchair?' the child then clips the baby doll in the pushchair and tucks it in and says 'Good night'. All the time, the childminder varies her interaction according to each child's needs, the two younger children make their feelings heard, whilst also repeating familiar

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and outcomes for children

words expressed by the older ones, such as 'please' and 'mine'.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in an extremely clean, homely environment. They learn a great deal about healthy living, benefiting from plenty of daily fresh air and exercise, either in the garden, the play park or on special visits, such as to Liddiard Park. They play in safety because the childminder identifies potential hazards extremely well and minimises these effectively. Their evident trust in the childminder is justified because their welfare is her first concern. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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