Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY401003 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Leoarna Mathias

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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 2009. She lives with her two children in a three bedroom house in Kingsteignton, Devon. All areas of her home are suitable for children to use but they are cared for mainly on the ground floor, which has level access. There is a small garden to the rear of the property and another piece of garden to the side, which children may use under close supervision.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She works from Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm, and has 14 children on roll, including four in the early years age group. Overnight care can be offered if needed. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education, and has previously worked in a pre-school setting.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works extremely hard to ensure that every child in her care receives excellent support for their welfare, learning and development. Children are given every opportunity to pursue their own interests, while being guided by a practitioner who has a particularly good understanding of how to promote children's progress. Her inclusive approach, and close working with the families of minded children, are very much in evidence in the delightfully warm and positive relationships between the childminder and her charges. She is efficient, very well organised and wholeheartedly committed to her own professional development, which in turn, benefits all children in her care.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 consider the benefits of undertaking further qualifications upon the quality of care received by minded children

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very clear commitment to safeguarding the children in her care. Her child protection policies and procedures are comprehensive and accessible, and incidents and concerns are properly recorded and responded to. Furthermore, the childminder works closely with families to remain fully informed of any concerns they may have. She is thorough in her vetting of visitors and premises are kept in particularly secure order. Risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments are also thorough, recorded in detail and any identified issues are quickly dealt with. For example, recent periods of extreme weather led to the production of a new policy and procedure which was quickly shared with parents, and led to improved safety for the children when arriving and departing from the premises. Fire drills are regular and evaluated, and equipment is checked

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the early years provision

frequently. Children access a delightful range of resources, which are kept in excellent order through a weekly cleaning system.

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the early years provision

The childminder has fully considered ways in which she can make her home accessible to all, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is quickly able to access support for such children, being known to local professional support agencies, and readily able to identify any developing need. The childminder also demonstrates a strong understanding of the differences in how varying groups of children approach learning, and is thus able to find innovative ways of supporting the progress of all.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built consistently strong relationships with the families of minded children, and has on occasion made a significant contribution to a child's life through difficult times. During her settling in period she works hard to learn all she can about a child, as well as sharing a great deal about her own practice with parents, through her comprehensive policy handbook and initial documentation. Going forward, there is a very good exchange of information through daily discussion and regular sharing of records. She is also well known in her community, and thus has formed genuine partnerships with the local school and pre-schools, as well as other childminders.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear vision of the benefits of the type of care she offers. This vision is underpinned by excellent documentation and a commitment to maintaining coherent, relevant policies. She brings a strong sense of professionalism to her work, through a substantial capacity to identify weaknesses in her practice and then to act promptly to redress them. For example, she responded to feeling a little lacking in experience of working with babies, by spending time with other childminders in order to gain knowledge of the kinds of activities they do with very young children. She now feels fully able to support their developmental progress, and activity plans and the availability of resources reflect this. Furthermore, she attends a wide range of training, prioritising her own professional development, and with encouragement, recognises her ability to complete formal qualifications at a higher level. This in turn would further increase

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the early years provision

her capacity to offer very high quality care to children.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe and settled home environment that is organised so as to fully promote their learning and development. Resources are well organised and clearly labelled so that children can make independent choices. They are rotated to ensure continued interest, and children's individual preferences are well known. Daily and weekly activity plans give strong coverage to all areas of learning, and the childminder puts a great deal of thought into adapting activities to meet the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs of the diverse age range of children she cares for. Children communicate confidently with the childminder to share their interests or to ask for help. Books and stories play a substantial part in the work she does with children, and as a result, their language and literacy skills are developing well. Small world toys, board games and puzzles are all used to good effect in order to promote children's

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and outcomes for children

problem solving abilities. Through cooking, craft, gardening and messy play activities, such as investigating the properties of pasta, children enjoy opportunities to create and explore their own senses. Through a regular use of the local environment, including parks, the zoo and other places of interest, children gain a sense of the world around them, as well as having opportunities to participate in activities that promote their physical development. Through the use of a sensible assessment system, the childminder is able to remain focused on each child's achievements and to plan coherently for the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy home made food and nutritious snacks. Meal times are pleasingly organised to encourage children's good manners, and children are involved in food preparation. Through this and other strategies, the childminder is particularly effective in ensuring children are aware of the need to maintain good personal hygiene. Children's individual dietary needs are also appropriately respected. Documentary systems that promote children's good health are kept in excellent order.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and very much understand the established rules of the childminder's home. Her positive and boundaried approach fosters a pleasant atmosphere where children thrive, showing concern and respect for each other. Children help with tasks such as washing up and tidying up resources, and as such are learning to care for their environment. They also have regular opportunities to mix with the wider community through attendance of a variety of after school activities and daytime children's groups, thus further promoting their sense of belonging. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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