Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY394248 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 partner and pre-school daughter. They live near the centre of Swindon, Wiltshire in a home that is easily accessible at street level. Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice remain mostly downstairs with the bathroom situated on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The family have a goldfish which is kept in the kitchen and three rabbits kept outside.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and currently cares for five children under eight years on a part-time basis, three of whom are in the early years age group. The family live close to local amenities, including shops and the local school and playgroup. She is a member of the local childminding group and also a network childminder

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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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 offers an inclusive setting in which all children are warmly welcomed. Children make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) because the childminder knows each child well individually and helps them develop into confident, social and inquisitive beings. The childminder establishes close relationships with parents, which contributes positively to children being cared for well. The childminder reflects on her practice and attends relevant training courses, both of which contribute to her ability to maintain continuous improvement well.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure flexibility in planning for all the minded children, while keeping a focus on children's individual and present learning needs, or interests and achievements  implement a system to help children be aware of the full range of activities on offer, to further promote their independence as learners.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands her responsibilities for keeping children safe and updates her training in this area regularly. She keeps the regulator, Ofsted, fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informed of changes to her provision and has a suitable complaints procedure. She is cleared as suitable to work with children. All required documentation is in place, such as a record of children's attendance, parental permissions and public liability insurance. A full range of suitable policies guides her practice, and there is an annual system for reviewing these. An appropriate record of risk assessment details changes she makes to provide for the children's safety, for example, new security measures for outside gate. Detailed daily checklists ensure that her premises are suitably ready for the children's arrival. The childminder has completed her first aid course, and provides evidence of having booked on two

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the early years provision

more training courses. She has completed several doorstep courses, so has built on to her skills to protect children. Taken all together, these measures lead to children being safeguarded well.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing a quality service for both children and parents. Parents state their appreciation of all she does for their children, such as widening children's spheres of interest and providing extremely flexible working hours. They receive a wide range of useful information on the day to day running of the provision and are kept fully updated about children's progress. However, the older children in her care do not have a full range of activities to meet their individual needs. The childminder understands how to obtain additional support from outside professionals, if children have additional needs. She establishes useful two way communications with other provisions attended by the children.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are promoted well overall. The childminder has identified the need to offer more resources reflecting the diversity of the world for children's use, and has found a way to do this through the toy library that she belongs to. This evidences her ability to evaluate her practice accurately and identify where she needs improvements. Additionally, the childminder details a clear vision for future developments, for example, gaining further qualifications, so showing her determination to improve further. She undertakes regular training, which results in improved outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes full use of her knowledge of the EYFS and the early learning goals to offer children enjoyable and stimulating experiences. She utilizes outside areas to provide stimulating visits to outdoor activities. Children bake, such as gingerbread biscuits, and make dough craft items and tree decorations, at Christmas the babies make cards for their parents. Indoors, a further wide range of interesting activities is offered; such as construction, small worlds, books and marble runs, however, there is no system to make children fully aware of the full range on offer.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive good levels of support from the childminder. She offers a positive, enthusiastic but calm role model, to whom children respond well. Relationships are very good for the young and appropriate for the spirited older children. This caring environment forms the basis of the good quality care and education offered. Children try new experiences confidently because they trust the childminder; this This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 trust is justified, as she maintains their safety whilst they investigate. They enjoy exploratory play, being curious about new things and eagerly trying new resources, for example, a new consignment of 'Duplo' building bricks.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development and her patient approach. She encourages problem solving, quietly encouraging children to refer to a poster or look things up in books. Also, negotiation skills and considering others, with sharing and taking turns and the older children 'look out for each other', such as with road safety. 'She's only little she does not understand yet', the inspector was told by the children. The very young 'find their voices' and understand new words quickly, owing to emphasis and clear repetition given because the childminder knows the important for vocabulary acquisition.

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and outcomes for children

Learning is personalised because the childminder treats each child as an individual, knowing their capabilities well. She tracks their progress, maintaining a photographic record, although the system is not fully developed. The planning for all the minded children does not fully meet their learning needs. However, the plans the childminder has do link clearly to all aspects of the EYFS framework, in order to monitor that all early learning goals are covered over a period. Nevertheless, aims for future learning are identified, so learning is progressive for all the children. Children develop good skills for their future lives, for example, learning how to handle books, develop early writing skills and use basic technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children live very healthy lives when with the childminder, spending time outside daily, both for exercise and learning through play. They enjoy fresh, home cooked, nutritious food; learn to wash their hands properly and are taught the importance of sitting together at the table and socialising at meal times. Children use extremely clean premises, in which the spread of cross-infection is prevented well.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe. They have regular opportunities to practise fire evacuation as well as other safety procedures, such as walking on the inside of pavements when on outings and crossing busy roads. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the methods to use for managing children's behaviour and keeping themselves safe, including praise and encouragement. She is a good role model and is respectful to the children and this helps them learn right from wrong. 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 3 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 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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