Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY334348 Inspection date 05/02/2010 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 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 2005. She lives in a village to the north of Salisbury in Wiltshire. She lives with her partner and her children aged two, five and nine years. All areas of her home may be used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family's pets include a dog and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child 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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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 with the childminder who provides a wide variety of activities that are tailored to their specific requirements and therefore they make good progress. She has satisfactory procedures in place to support children’s welfare and safety. She is flexible and works well with parents so that she can accommodate individual requirements. However, she has not established ways of involving them with their child’s learning. Since the last inspection, the childminder has kept up to date with changes in childcare practice and is now beginning to think about ways to develop her childminding service to enhance the 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?

 review the risk assessments to ensure that all potential hazards are identified and minimised  extend the partnership with parents and develop ways of increasing their involvement in their children's learning  develop ways of monitoring and evaluating the success of activities to help identify and prioritise areas for further improvements in the outcomes for the children.

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the early years provision

The records, policies and procedures necessary to promote children’s safety and welfare are in place and implemented appropriately. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding issues and knows what she must do if she has concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. All members of her household This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have been vetted and children are never alone with people who have not been police checked. The childminder carries out risk assessments of her premises and before any outings. She uses safety equipment such as stairgates and cupboard locks to minimise the likelihood of accidents to children. However, she has not identified some potential risks to their safety, for example, from low mirrors. Sensible measures are taken to prevent infection spreading between children and the childminder reduces any risks to health from her pets. For example, children

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the early years provision

have a separate pair of boots to wear when going to help feed her chickens. The childminder organises her premises effectively, using displays of photographs and posters to make them welcoming to parents and children. She has a wide variety of toys and resources, including an extensive range of story and factual books. These support all areas of children’s learning and provide interest and challenge for all.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards the continued development of her childminding service. For example, she has recently introduced new systems to help her monitor and record children’s progress and learning. Sometimes she attends training events arranged by the local early years team to extend her knowledge of childcare issues. However, she has not fully established ways of evaluating the quality of other aspects of her provision to help her identify and prioritise areas for further improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that all children are treated equally and fully included in activities. She helps them find out about the lives of others by providing books and pretend play resources that show positive images of diversity. There is continuity in children’s care and they are comfortable and settled because the childminder exchanges information with their parents daily. However, at present she has not devised ways of involving them in their child’s learning, for example, by sharing their progress records or talking with them about the next steps in their child’s development. The childminder understands the importance of liaising with other settings or professionals who work with the children to ensure there is a consistent approach to their care.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn many skills that will help them in their future lives. They are confident and form warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. They happily settle down with her to listen to a story, relaxing on her lap. They develop good language and communication skills because there is plenty of interaction and conversation between them. Children behave well and play cooperatively alongside others. The childminder has a good understanding of positive ways of managing behaviour. She gives children praise and recognition for their achievements so they develop good self-esteem and understand when they have done well.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be independent and toys and resources are stored in boxes and low units so that they can make choices about what they do. They are interested in what is available and show sustained periods of concentration and involvement in adult-led and self-chosen activities. They have opportunities to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explore and investigate objects and materials freely. For example, they cover their hands with paint during a creative activity and examine musical instruments to find out the sounds they can make. Through the every day routines, the children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They wash their hands before eating and the childminder explains that they may fall and hurt themselves if they climb on furniture. The children are encouraged to be active and show developing control and coordination of their movements, for example, when they kick and

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and outcomes for children

throw balls or handle small objects. They find out more about the world around them by going on outings, exploring the childminder’s garden and helping her care for the pets.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes the children as they play and knows them well. This allows her to provide activities that take account of their individual interests and build on what they can already do. She uses unplanned events effectively to support their learning, for example, talking to them about the colour of objects they are playing with. She counts as a young child carefully transfers raisins from one bowl to another and later, they mimic her counting, copying the tone and rhythm of her voice. 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 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 2 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 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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