Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY321310 Inspection date 27/04/2010 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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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 her husband and three children of whom one is in the early years group. They live in a four bedroom detached house in Chippenham, Wiltshire. The entire house is registered to be used for childminding, however, childminding takes place mainly downstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years register, as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight; of these, no more than two may be in the early years age group at any one time. Currently the childminder is caring for seven children on a part-time basis; mostly after school children, of these one is in the early years age group.

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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

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, where they are provided with a range of interesting activities and are making good progress in their learning. Good links with the parents help to involve them in their children's care and education and keep them informed of their children's progress. This ensures continuity of care and learning for the children. The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection. She has identified areas for development, and has plans for further enhancement to her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and knowledge of observations and assessments so that children can be effectively moved on to the next stage of their learning and development  ensure that the procedure for allegation of abuse against a member of the family is shared with the parents  further develop understanding of child protection issues including the most up to date safeguarding children issues

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the early years provision

The childminder has the required policies and procedures in place to ensure the organisation of her service is effective. However, there is no evidence that the procedure for allegation of abuse against a member of the family is shared with the parents. Most documentation is kept up to date, as she is earnest in making sure she has the latest information on all the children. She has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of the signs and symptoms of child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 abuse and the importance of keeping accurate and factual records. She is aware of her role and responsibilities should there be a concern. However, the recommendation of the last inspection regarding developing further her understanding of child protection, she has not completely addressed. The childminder is considering going on a training course. The childminder is good at

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the early years provision

risk assessing her home environment and any outings on a regular basis and keeps good records. She addresses any identified hazards effectively. This helps to maintain the children's safety at all times.

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the early years provision

There is a good range of toys and equipment accessible to the children. Resources are deployed well. Her use of resources to promote cultural diversity appropriately supports the children's understanding and enables them to embrace differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder is effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses of her provision. She has a suitable process in place for carrying out her self-evaluation. She has not completed a self-evaluation form, however, she has identified some areas for improvement; for example, extending the indoor play area, attend different courses to increase her knowledge and skills, to develop her observation and assessment skills and keeping records on the progress of all the children, clearly identifying the next step in their learning and development. She reflects on her practice and shows good capacity to improve what she offers children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the parents. The parents are happy with the level of care that the childminder offers. She places great importance on gathering and sharing information about the children in her care in order to meet their individual welfare needs effectively. She also provides individual records on each child with an account of their progress in learning and development. There is good two-way communication between the parents and the childminder. She is beginning to develop suitable links with other services, such as the local schools, especially since most of the children she cares for are after school children. She is aware that a good link will help to promote the integration of the children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shows an understanding of how children learn and has started to observe and assess their progress. She has started to plan their learning according to their individual needs and ability. Through discussion with the parents and her own observations, she is able to establish the children's starting points. Her observation takes account of what the children can and cannot do. She is aware of their likes and dislikes and their interests when planning the activities. She has started to plan the next step in learning and development of children in the early years age group. Photo folders of children involved in different activities are shared with the parents. The childminder is making good progress in linking the learning and development requirements with the early learning goals and, as a result, the children are making good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder enjoys her work and takes a positive approach to her childminding. Children are settled, happy and relaxed and have a good relationship with her. They display a strong sense of belonging. The good interaction between her and the children helps to promote their self-esteem and confidence. She supports the children's learning and development effectively through play. The childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour according to their age and stage of development. Children are well behaved and are aware of their boundaries. The childminder takes time to understand the children's individual needs. They receive good support from her, which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children confidently choose what they want to play with. They have access to a good range of toys and resources that are appropriate to their age and development. Children experience a range of activities daily, such as craft activities, imaginative play, dressing up and board games. There is a balance between adult-led and child-led activities. Photographs of children at play provide good evidence of children enjoying interesting and stimulating activities. Children have good opportunities to explore and become active learners. The younger children enjoy learning new words and repeating them after the childminder, they enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. Children enjoy physical activities, such as walking, playing in the garden, visiting the local park or their first experience on the trampoline. The childminder supports the children's learning well by providing a good environment that appropriately caters for all the children's

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and outcomes for children

learning and development needs. The childminder has a positive attitude towards children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy regular outdoor exercise and outings, such as walks and playing in the garden. They enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and lunches, and are encouraged to keep themselves hydrated by drinking regularly. The childminder is aware of children with special dietary needs and meets their needs as required. There is an effective sick children policy in place, which is shared with the parents. Children are learning to keep themselves safe, as the childminder teaches them about being safe on the road, evacuating the premises safely in the event of a fire and helping the younger children negotiate the stairs safely. There is sufficient space for children to move with ease. The childminder keeps records of fire drills carried out. She ensures children are well supervised, ensuring their safety is maintained at all times. 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 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 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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