Childminder in North Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 118464 Inspection date 15/03/2010 Inspector Beverly Anne Brimble

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and three adult children, in a three bedroom house in the village of Langford, North Somerset. The ground floor is mainly used for childminding which includes a lounge, kitchen and downstairs cloakroom. Further toilet and sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a safely enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a pet gold fish, to which the children have supervised access.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and enjoy the time they spend in the warm and inclusive environment created by the childminder. The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is sound. She promotes children's learning appropriately and addresses their care needs well. Children are provided with a broad range of activities and learning opportunities and they make steady progress in their learning and development because the childminder takes time to get to know them. The childminder works with parents to ensure children are settled in her care; she understands each child's individual needs and this helps them to feel safe and secure. The childminder is keen to improve and is beginning to assess her childminding practice through a developing system of self-evaluation, to enable her to promote outcomes for children more effectively.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop systems of observation, assessment and planning, to identify accurate next steps for each child which build upon what they already know and can do, to ensure children make the best possible progress obtain information from parents as to who has parental responsibility for the child  develop further systems of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are kept safe from harm because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. For example, she is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. All adults living in the household are known to Ofsted to enable appropriate checks to be undertaken. The safety and security of children is ensured through effective supervision, and by providing secure indoor and outside play areas. Effective written risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden and any outings undertaken, to further ensure children's safety. A well maintained range of detailed policies and procedures are in place to support the childminder's practice. All children have access to suitable play opportunities, as the childminder organises the space and her time appropriately. Resources, which are of good quality, are stored low down so that they are easily accessible to those in her care. This

p.5

the early years provision

ensures all children are included and treated with equal concern. Children are encouraged to learn about similarities and differences through discussion, books, posters, outings and planned activities. In this way children develop a positive attitude to others.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's interests and needs, and can provide a consistency of care in line with parents' wishes. However, written information to confirm who has parental responsibility for the children is not maintained. Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through a notice board and the childminder shares useful information through discussion at arrival and collection times. Letters from parents are complimentary and comment that the childminder is 'flexible and supportive'. The childminder understands the need to work collaboratively with other settings children attend in order to fully support their learning and developmental needs.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has started to reflect on some aspects of the service she provides and demonstrates a sound understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. However, self-evaluation systems are still in their infancy, and not yet fully developed to enable thorough evaluation of the childminder's provision to secure on-going improvements. The childminder is willing to attend ongoing professional training to support and improve her knowledge and practice and welcomes advice from her Local Authority development officer. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been fully addressed.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, relaxed and confident within the childminder's home. They clearly enjoy the company of the childminder and together have fun in this setting. The childminder enables children to feel emotionally secure by building good relationships, ensuring a consistent routine and creating a welcoming child-friendly environment. She supports children's play well and engages the children through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 asking appropriate questions, speaking clearly, making good eye contact and by having a positive nature. She asks open ended questions to help children think and uses spontaneous opportunities to introduce colour, shape and number. Children develop problem solving skills as they construct towers and houses from bricks, and complete jigsaw puzzles. The childminder helps children to discover how things work. For example, one child 'brumming' vehicles along the floor finds a

p.5

and outcomes for children

tractor that is friction powered, but does not realise this. The childminder showed the child what to do and they instantly copied her actions delighting in what they had done, and continued to repeat their actions again and again. Outings to toddler groups and a singing and music sessions increase children's social skills. Children meet people different to themselves. This promotes their understanding and acceptance of other people. The group sessions also enable children to take part in a wider range of activities to extend their learning opportunities. These simple activities begin to lay the foundations to support the children's skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. She knows each child suitably well and is responsive to their individual needs. As a result, children are making progress in their learning. The childminder uses individual learning diaries, making some observations of the children at play, and she is beginning to record some next steps. However, observation and assessment systems are not yet fully developed to consistently monitor children's achievements in order to identify accurate next steps in their learning, to ensure children's individual learning and development is continually promoted and built upon what they already know. The childminder is aware of children's interests and provides a varied range of activities that promote learning in all areas. Overall, children make steady progress in their learning in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about the benefits of healthy living. Regular hygiene routines ensure children learn good self-care skills, such as, hand washing and nose blowing. Paper towels for hand drying and wet wipes for younger children avoids cross infection, therefore protecting children's good health and well-being. Children are offered healthy snacks of fresh fruit by the childminder and parents provide their main meals, which are stored and served appropriately when required. Drinks are accessed frequently and independently whenever the children are thirsty. Children have opportunities for physical activity on a daily basis as they walk to and from school, play in the garden and visit the local park, where they can move around freely under the childminder's supervision. The childminder ensures children receive individual positive praise as they play and encourages them to behave well and use good manners. She demonstrates consistent and age appropriate

p.6

and outcomes for children

behaviour management strategies, using explanations and distraction as necessary. This helps children to build confidence and self-esteem and learn acceptable levels of behaviour. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings and gently reminds them of the dangers so they can feel safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8