Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY311322 Inspection date 11/01/2010 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 08456 404040, 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: 08456 404040 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 with her husband and young son in a residential area of Plymouth, with a secure area to the rear of the house for children's play. The family have a pet cat. The childminder takes children to and from the local school, pre-schools and nearby parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder offers both full day care, and after school and holiday care for older children. She has nine children of varying ages currently on roll, including three in the early years age group. She is registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association, holds a degree in Social Policy, and has completed a range of other training.

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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

The childminder creates a warm, boundaried and activity-filled environment, recognising the individual needs of the children in her care, and working hard to meet them. She works closely with families and other groups in the local community to ensure that children develop a sense of belonging. She has a clear vision for her practice and is growing in her capacity to self-evaluate in order to bring about further improvements. Children are safe, secure and encouraged to give their best while enjoying a varied range of activities that are tailored to support their individual progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve the child protection policy through the inclusion of a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against childminding practice  ensure the complaints policy correctly identifies the relationship between parents and Ofsted  extend self evaluation practices to more clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of childminding practice in order that areas for improvement are quickly identified

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of documentation systems in order to share her sensible policies and procedures with parents and to safeguard the children in her care. Her child protection policy lacks some clarity in relation to what to do if an allegation was made against her practice, and the complaints policy does not as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 yet state the correct relationship between parents and Ofsted. However, when taken overall, the childminder has a good understanding of the regulatory requirements in relation to safeguarding, and has regularly taken action to ensure the safety and well-being of children in her care. Her home is safe and secure, and risk assessments are competently carried out in order that hazards are minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear vision of the benefits of the type of care she offers children and is more than able to share this with the families she works with. As a result of this and other measures, she is able to build particularly strong relationships with the families she minds for, and they in turn are extremely positive about the role she plays in their lives. A very good exchange of information between home and the setting takes place, and the childminder has often supported families through difficult circumstances with sensitivity and consistency. Similarly, she is a well known member of the community who works very much in partnership with the local school and pre-schools, maintaining a regular flow of information about minded children with other practitioners. This in turn contributes to children enjoying smooth transitions between settings. Her commitment to promoting equality and diversity is evident through her able

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the early years provision

support of children with emerging learning difficulties, her appreciation of one child's second home language, and her thorough policy in this area.

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the early years provision

The childminder has embraced the process of self-evaluation, and has a strong commitment to her own continuing professional development through training and her membership of professional organisations. On occasions, she does not always see the full benefit of the work she is doing or reflect on how she might further improve her practice. However, she is enthusiastic about developing her skills in this area, recognising that it will bring benefits to the children she cares for.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe and settled home environment. The child minder works hard to build a picture of each child's life, interests and challenges in order to effectively support their development, as well as assessing their ongoing progress. Children communicate confidently with the childminder to share their experiences, or to ask for help. She provides a varied range of activities, making good use of the city's resources, such as parks and local groups. Children enjoy story times and using books. They play with puzzles and other resources, and board games, where all the children can participate at a level appropriate to them, are popular. Children's concentration skills are amply encouraged through table top activities. Significant use is made of the local outdoor environment. For example, twice weekly 'play days', where children access a wide variety of outdoor resources, are attended very regularly. In summary, the childminder delivers a range of activities that

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and outcomes for children

support children's progress in all six areas of learning, while at the same time recognising that through further reflection upon her practice she would reach a greater appreciation of the educative value of each of her activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy home made food with a strong emphasis on good nutrition. Very young children have their dietary needs well supported, as the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 works closely with parents to aid the weaning process. Children know how to manage their own health, understanding the importance of washing hands after toileting and before meals. They also learn how to manage their own safety, with encouragement to understand how we cross the road forming a key part of local trips.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given plentiful support to prepare for school attendance as the childminder works closely with the local schools and pre-schools to support children's learning; she shares her ongoing assessments with them to ensure high levels of continuity. Children take part in real world activities, such as visiting the café, and raising money for charity, and these activities ensure they are gaining a sense of the community to which they belong. The childminder creates an environment where children very much know what is expected of them, and she places great emphasis on the importance of forming friendships and being part of a group. As a result, children are learning to share, take turns, and demonstrate helpful behaviour to one another. 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 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 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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