Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY216508 Inspection date 08/03/2010 Inspector Linda Dawe

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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 May 2002. She lives with her three children in a detached house in a quiet residential area in Exminster. They live within easy commuting distance to Exeter and close proximity to schools and pre-schools in Kennford and Exminster. Children are mainly cared for in the designated playroom and kitchen/diner areas of the home. They have easy access to a large secure garden. Children only go upstairs to sleep.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under eight; of whom no more than three children can be in the early years age range. She is not registered to provide overnight care. She is currently caring for 11 children, three of whom are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

Pets include a dog who has their own enclosed section of garden, three cats and two rabbits who have cages in another separate area of the garden.

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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 is highly effective in ensuring that she meets the needs of the children in the early years age range. As a result children make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development. She continually reviews her practice, updating her skills, knowledge and resources regularly to improve outcomes for children. She has forged excellent partnerships with both the children's parents and with other professionals caring for them, to ensure that all their individual needs are fully met. As a result her provision is fully inclusive. The childminder demonstrates an excellent capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing systems to clearly link current photographic observations and assessments to the Early Years Foundation Stage to evidence that all areas of learning are fully covered and to formally identify the next steps in children's learning

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to providing the best possible care and learning opportunities for the children she looks after. She achieves this by continually developing her skills and knowledge through attending numerous This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training courses throughout the year. She is fully aware of her strengths and weaknesses; seeking advice and support from early years professionals where she thinks it would benefit the children in her care. Her photographic assessments and observations of the children in the early years age range provide strong evidence of their abilities. She knows each child extremely well and provides worthwhile activities to help them make progress across all areas of their development, although these plans are not written.

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the early years provision

Children play in a very rich learning environment; they clearly benefit and thrive from attending the setting. The childminder has been extremely proactive in developing areas of her home, resulting in children being able to play safely and freely. An excellent range of high quality resources, appropriate to the individual stages of development, is available. Her garden is an extension of the high quality resource provided in her home and has a wealth of high quality outdoor equipment for children to play with. The two separate areas in her garden ensure the physical needs of the different ages of children cared for are fully met. Children can safely play alongside each other, whilst receiving appropriate challenge. For example, older children have a substantial climbing frame to play on and, in a separate area, younger children have a smaller one. To protect their health and safety further the family dog has sole use of another area of the garden, which is gated. Children are

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the early years provision

taught to think about risks and how to keep themselves safe, particularly when out and about. The childminder is very clear about her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care and has effective systems in place to enable her to do so. She is also extremely proactive in ensuring their safety inside and outside of her home, for example, she regularly upgrades her vehicle to ensure that children are safe when travelling with her.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built excellent partnerships with the parents of the children she looks after. This is evident from the positive and detailed remarks they have made about her care of their children. She is proactive in seeking information and training from other professionals, in partnership with parents, to ensure that she can fully meet any specific needs that an individual child may have. As a result she is able to offer a fully inclusive provision. It is a testimony to her excellent care that children who now attend primary and secondary education wish to remain in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development because of the time they spend with the childminder. They show high levels of independence. The childminder regularly provides them with choices so they are confident to make decisions, which builds their self-confidence. For example, she offers them a selection of different fruits at snack time or a choice of puzzle to complete. Children clearly feel safe and secure in the childminder's care, they take great delight in showing off their achievements and those of their peers. For example, pointing out the clay models they had all made recently together. Children's behaviour is excellent with any minor disputes and squabbles quickly and sensitively settled by the childminder. They are thoughtful towards each other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with young children being encouraged to share toys nicely. They enjoy constant

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and outcomes for children

interaction with the childminder, which develops their language and communication skills and enables them to feel a strong sense of security. Children have excellent opportunities to become engaged in a wide range of physical activities, through their play in the childminder's well equipped garden or when visiting local attractions and parks. Trips to the local library provide children with the opportunity to socialise with others as well as to learn an enjoyment of books.

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and outcomes for children

Children naturally learn about problem solving and numeracy as the childminder skilfully introduces it in all areas of their play. For example, while completing puzzles with the childminder's input they talk confidently about shape, size and colour. Young children are quickly learning about ICT as they confidently operate a range of battery controlled toys, smiling with pride at their achievements in making them work. Children are enthusiastic about taking part in the activities offered. They develop their small muscles as they use felt-tip pens to draw pictures, making it very clear which colours they want to use. The childminder maintains their enthusiasm by quickly identifying when children are losing interest and immediately offering them different activities. She also recognises when children are becoming tired and may need a rest.

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and outcomes for children

Each child has their own individual file containing legally required documentation, to ensure that their individual care needs are fully met. Photographic records of their development are kept and alongside children's art and craft work provides evidence of children's development, this is shared with parents. Children's care also benefits from the communication books that are used with parents. The childminder has recently purchased individual profile books for each child where she plans to record their development and next steps for learning in a more formal way. 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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