Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330106 Inspection date 28/01/2010 Inspector Shirley Ann Jackson

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and their child aged seven years. Their home is a three bedroom, semi-detached house in Highworth, near Swindon, Wiltshire. The entire house is available for childminding, although in practice the upstairs rooms are used mainly for sleeping purposes. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Shops, a park, library and other town amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. The family have a cat and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and is currently minding two children in this age group aged two and three years. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. This enables her to offer care to older children. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder meets the needs of the children attending by recognising them as unique individuals. She supports all children to ensure that they are making suitable progress in their learning and development. However, the childminder is not always using information gathered from observations and assessments to plan for the next steps in children's learning. Children's welfare is mostly effectively promoted by the childminder. Positive working relationships are in place with parents to ensure they are kept informed about the setting. The childminder is aware of building links with other registered providers involved in the care of the children. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice to identify strengths. However, areas for development are not clearly targeted and those who use the setting have not been involved in the process.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop observations and assessments in order to effectively plan for the next step in each child's learning  encourage parents to contribute meaningfully to the observation and assessment process  develop knowledge and understanding of safeguarding with regard to an allegation being made against a member of the household  use the self-evaluation process to identify priorities for development that will further improve the quality of the provision and consider how to involve This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents and children in this process

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the early years provision

The childminder has produced written policies and procedures which reflect her daily practice with the children. These are effectively shared with parents to ensure they are kept informed about the setting. Thorough risk assessments are in place for the indoors, outdoors and for all outings taken with the children. This helps to ensure that children are safe at all times. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has attended child protection training. This has given her a sound knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect and she is aware of the procedure to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. However, she is not as confident with the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or a member of her household. Individual records are informative ensuring the needs of all children are effectively met and promoting inclusive care.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses the available space within her home effectively. Children have independent access to a suitable range of resources. These are stored in low level units which are labelled with photographs and words. This gives children choice in their play. Children move freely around the available space, depending on which activity they are taking part in. Children's work is displayed in the kitchen. This values children's work and gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder stays up to date and increases her skills by attending training offered by the local authority.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are sound. When parents first approach the childminder she shares her folders with them. These contain her policies and procedures, risk assessments and her training certificates. Ongoing information is then shared through informal feedback at the end of each day and sharing children's progress folders. However, there are few opportunities for parents to contribute to these folders. The childminder is aware of the importance of linking with other providers who share the care of minded children, but as children are new to the other setting this has not yet happened.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve the service she offers to children and their families. This has resulted in her starting on a recognised childcare qualification training course. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed, helping to keep children safe and increasing their knowledge about diversity. The childminder has just completed a written evaluation of her practice. This identifies strengths within the setting but has not identified areas for further development nor have those who use the setting been involved in this process.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well and are comfortable in the company of the childminder. They are well supported in their play as the childminder is on hand to interact and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extend children's play as required. Children are offered a range of activities and experiences which, over time, cover all areas of learning and helps children to make sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a system in place to observe and assess the children as they play. However, observations are not frequent, are not always dated and the childminder sometimes struggles to identify the next steps in children's learning. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child to ensure she offers activities which interest them and which they enjoy. This ensures that children's experiences are enjoyable and valuable.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure and show a sense of trust with the childminder. They enjoy being with adults and other children as they visit toddler groups. Children are keen to try out new experiences, such as, rolling out the play dough. They display high levels of involvement in some activities and will sit for quite some time. Children talk freely about their home, for example, a family member's birthday. They have opportunities to show care and concern for living things. For example, they help to feed the childminder's pet rabbit. Children like to take part in caring for the setting, such as, washing up role play resources and helping to sweep play dough from the floor. Children demonstrate a sense of pride in their own achievements. The childminder fosters children's language skills as she carries out conversations with them throughout their time with her. Children respond to simple instructions, such as, tidying toys away and washing hands before eating.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking through books and share stories with the childminder. They enjoy trips to the library to borrow books and to extend the range offered. Children have opportunities to draw and make marks and they regularly use one-handed tools and equipment. Children count spontaneously as they play, such as, counting the number of play dough flowers made. They are beginning to use their fingers to represent numbers. Children show an interest in technological toys and know how to operate simple equipment. Children find out about the natural world as they go for walks in the local area and visit Roves Farm. They also help the childminder to feed her pet rabbit. Children enjoy musical activities as the childminder takes children to a weekly music group where they enjoy playing musical instruments and singing songs.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about a healthy lifestyle as they eagerly wash their hands before they eat, after messy play, using the toilet and touching the rabbit. The childminder offers cooked meals to some children and these are prepared freshly each day, giving children some choice in what they have to eat. For other children, parents provide a packed lunch for their children and these are stored appropriately for the children to keep them fresh. Children have regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school and go for walks in the local area. They also play on large play equipment in the childminder's garden and nearby play parks. They learn how to keep themselves safe as they take part in monthly emergency evacuation drills. This ensures they know what to do in an emergency situation. 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 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

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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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