Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104728 Inspection date 26/02/2010 Inspector Jan Healy

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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 has been registered since 2001. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register as well as the voluntary register. She lives with her two young children aged 10 and seven years. The family live in Chivenor, between Braunton and Barnstaple. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for five children, three of which may be in the early years age group and for one child under eight years for overnight care. Currently she has four children on the register, aged three years, five years, six years and eight years of age. There is easy access into the home and on-street parking available.

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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 children are happy and are well cared for in a safe and stimulating environment. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding about the way young children learn and develop, enabling her to provide them with stimulating activities and experiences. She is enthusiastic and very capable of making continuous improvement for the benefit of all, evident by the successful changes made since the previous inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to make use of a method of self-evaluation to help identify strengths and weaknesses to secure change when necessary

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the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding about the importance of safeguarding the children in her care. There is a thorough procedure in place for the contacting of the appropriate authority in the event of witnessing a concern, which is shared with the parents. The children are appropriately supervised at all times and are protected from adults who are not vetted. The childminder works in partnership with the parents to help further the children's learning. She seeks information about the children's starting points and plans an interesting and varied range of play opportunities that encourage the children to progress in all areas of learning. Resources are readily available to enable the children to develop their skills for the future and to make a positive contribution. Observations take place which are evaluated, allowing the childminder to gauge the children next step of learning and to plan for their individual interests. The childminder also works in

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the early years provision

cooperation with other provider's who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure consistency of learning and care. She has begun to make use of a method of self-evaluation, but this is at the foundation stage and requires further work to ensure strengths and weaknesses are appropriately identified to secure change when necessary.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures the children in her care remain healthy, due to a thorough cleaning routine as well as precautions being taken to prevent the spread of cross-infection. The children are taught about the importance of maintaining their own personal hygiene through an appropriate hand washing and drying routine. The children enjoy the privilege of eating a healthy and nutritious diet and are taught about the foods that contribute to the effective growing of their bodies. They eat together which not only makes for a sociable occasion, but as the childminder sits with them and encourages conversation, their vocabulary increases. Regular trips are taken out of doors to help extend the children's fitness and apparatus is readily available to aid in furthering their stamina. The childminder takes appropriate precautions to ensure the children remain safe at all times. She regularly tests the smoke alarms and encourages the children to take

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and outcomes for children

part in an emergency evacuation procedure, so they become familiar with the leaving of the premises without delay. When on outings, the children are taught about road safety, such as to listen for traffic and to stand back from the curb for their own safety. The children behave extremely well as they are happy and content to be in the childminder's care, and as she is a good role model, the children emulate her behaviour making for a harmonious atmosphere. The children have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of activities that help to further their learning and development. They particularly enjoy interlocking jigsaws and coupling trains, both of which help to further the children's fine motor skills. They dress up in costumes of their choice and pretend to be characters they know well. Engaging in such activities not only helps to further the children's confidence but also their social skills, as they play in cooperation with their friends. They play

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and outcomes for children

counting games and join in with counting songs and rhymes to further their understanding of numeracy. They learn about the importance of protecting their environment and recycle unwanted items. Outings to the duck pond enable the children to learn about the care of others and about the changing seasons. 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 2 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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