Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344170 Inspection date 11/01/2010 Inspector Carole Argles

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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 2006. She lives in Westbury, Wiltshire, with her two teenage children. She uses all areas of her house for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor activities. The family has four cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends local childminding groups. She is currently undertaking a relevant child care qualification.

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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

The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. They take part in a wide range of activities that are adapted to take account of their individual needs and interests and support their progress well. There is a good exchange of information between the childminder and parents and this generally ensures that there is continuity in the children’s care and learning. The childminder is committed to her professional development and regularly undertakes training. She reflects on the quality of her provision and this allows her to identify improvements that will enhance outcomes for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the systems for monitoring and planning children's progress and learning to increase the involvement of their parents and to help identify the current priorities in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder implements effective policies and procedures and maintains the records necessary to ensure that the children are safe and well cared for. She has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and understands what she must do if she has concerns about the welfare of a child. The premises are kept secure and children are never left unsupervised with people who have not been vetted. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder carries out effective risk assessments on all aspects of children’s care and she takes sensible precautions to minimise accidental injuries. Her home and the equipment are clean and hygienic. Children learn good hygiene routines and understand why these are important. Parents provide most meals for their children. However, the childminder offers them a choice of healthy snacks and ensures that their dietary requirements are met. She organises her home

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the early years provision

effectively so she can provide many in and outdoor activities. There is a good selection of toys and equipment stored so children can make choices about what they do. Extra resources are borrowed from libraries to provide added interest and variety for them.

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the early years provision

There is continuity in children’s care and their individual requirements are well supported because there are effective partnerships between the childminder, their parents and others who work with them such as staff at their nursery. Parents receive good quality information about the provision and written agreements help the childminder meet parents’ wishes for their child. Daily discussions and weekly diaries keep parents well informed about their child’s care and any significant achievements. Displays of photographs show what their child has been doing in recent activities. The childminder involves parents in their child’s learning, for example, by sending books home for them to read together and by discussing children’s development records with them. However, she does not encourage them to contribute to these records or fully involve them in decisions about the next step in their child’s learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about the continued development of her childminding service. She has increased children’s welfare and care by acting on recommendations made at the previous inspection. She keeps up to date with changes in childcare practice. She is establishing effective systems to monitor and evaluate children’s progress and the quality of her provision. She seeks parents’ views through questionnaires. This allows her to focus on the improvements that will bring maximum benefit for the children.

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and outcomes for children

The children have a warm friendly relationship with the childminder and are secure and confident in her care. She is careful to meet their individual needs and follows their usual home routines. Consequently, they feel safe with her and younger children show this by falling asleep on her lap. The children behave well and are helpful to others. The childminder has a good understanding of positive ways to manage children’s behaviour and has consistent age-appropriate expectations for them. She helps them learn good social skills, encouraging them to be polite and to share fairly with others. Children receive praise and recognition for their achievements so they understand when they have done well. They learn to respect and value differences in others. They talk about festivals and use a variety of resources, including books and dressing up clothes, which help them find out about the lives of people in the wider community.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain many skills that will help them in the future lives. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interacts well with them and supports their communication and language skills effectively. She asks questions that extend their learning and thinking. For example, when sharing a book, she encourages them to compare the size and shape of objects. They enjoy looking at photographs and recall what they were doing. Children take part in many mark-making activities using chalks, crayons and paints and older children are beginning to form some recognisable letters. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy and safe lifestyles. They readily help tidy away toys because they understand that they may pose a hazard to others. They know that they should sit down to eat or drink to keep themselves safe. During meals and pretend play activities, they talk about foods that are good for them. They

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and outcomes for children

help grow vegetables in the childminder’s garden. They are active, often walking to local venues and they play outside most days. They use a wide variety of play equipment which supports their physical development. They show good control and coordination of their movements, for example, when doing ‘star-jumps’. Independence is promoted at all times. Young children are encouraged to feed themselves and they learn to manage their own personal care and to put on their coats and hats.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a themed approach to planning activities. However, she is flexible taking account of children’s individual interests and requirements and she allows them to make choices about what they do. She watches the children as they play to assess their development. She records their progress and uses this information to help make decisions for their future learning. Although this is generally effective in supporting their development, she does not keep information up to date for all children. The children enjoy their time with the childminder and are interested in what is provided. They are keen to take part in activities and sometimes show periods of sustained concentration. 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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