Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY400950 Inspection date 25/05/2010 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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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 applied for registration in 2009. She lives with her husband and 11 month old daughter in Tidworth Hampshire. Childminding predominantly takes place on the ground floor and there is an enclosed rear garden to facilitate physical play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children from 12 months to under eight years at any one time, of these, not more than two 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. Currently the childminder is caring for three children on a part-time basis; who are in the early years age group. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups and she is a member of the National Childminding association. The family have a dog and guinea pigs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe and secure environment, ensuring that the children's welfare is effectively promoted and they are appropriately safeguarded. Children are happy and relax with her, she meets the needs of the children in her care effectively and attends, as appropriate, to their individual needs. Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning. The childminder's good links with the parents enables them to be involved in their child's care and education. The childminder has made some improvements since her registration. She is likely to make further development to her provision and outcome for the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the learning and development requirements and plan for the next steps of the children's progress  ensure the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the family is shared with the parents  increase range of resources available to children to promote cultural diversity complete a self-assessment to include strengths and weakness of the provision for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children have access to a range of resources that are suitable to their age and stage of development. The childminder organises her home appropriately to provide a suitable learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. She has the required documentation in place, which is used appropriately to meet the needs of the children. The childminder is aware of her role in safeguarding children and her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and her role and responsibilities should there be a concern. She has the required policy for safeguarding, however, there is no evidence that she has a policy in place for allegation of child abuse against a member of the family that she shares with the parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes reasonable steps to reduce hazards to children by carrying out visual daily checks. Her risk assessment includes the whole house, outings and visits. This ensures the children's safety is appropriately maintained at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not adapted the process for self-evaluation, but has identified some areas of development, such as developing her understanding of the six areas of learning and development and to confidently link them to activities; to continue to increase her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage; to increase her knowledge and understanding of child development through training and work towards becoming an accredited childminder. These suggested improvements when implemented will enable her to develop her skill to provide challenging learning experiences for the children in her care.

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the early years provision

There is a good range of toys and equipment accessible to the children. Resources are appropriately deployed, including any extended services, to improve the outcomes for the children, such as visits to the local library, toddler groups or local park. The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity. She works in partnership with the parents to meet the individual needs of each child. She ensures every child is included and not disadvantage due to any learning difficulties or disabilities. However, her current use of resources to promote cultural diversity does not fully support the children's understanding and enable them to embrace differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents. Her communication with them enables her to provide continuous care for the children. She seeks the appropriate written permissions such as administration of medication. She exchanges information daily, for example, parents receive verbal feedback about their child's day. Such information provides the parents with knowledge on how well their children are achieving, their well-being and development. Parents are made aware of all the policies and procedures and are asked to read and sign them. The childminder has started to share observations and progress records with parents and to engage with them, in order to encourage them to contribute to their children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time at the childminder and are settled and relaxed in her company. They are cared for in a homely environment, where appropriate standards of hygiene are maintained. The childminder helps the children to learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, through the regular routine of promoting good personal hygiene. Children are able to enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as walks, visits to the local library playing in the garden or use of the local park. They are provided with healthy snacks and are encouraged to keep hydrated by regular drinks made available. As a result, children are beginning to learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children's good health is encouraged and their individual dietary needs are met where appropriate.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a suitable balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities that help them to make adequate progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a basic knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how the activities she provides are linked to the areas of learning and development. Children have access to a range of toys and resources, enabling them to be independent in their choice of what they play with. Children experience a suitable range of activities, such as craft, creative and imaginative play. The childminder appropriately rotate toys to keep the children's interest. The resources available are suitable for both boys and girls and are appropriate for the age and stage of their development, for example, different texture books and electronic musical toys for the younger children. Children are beginning to learn to share and take turns and play cooperatively with each other. Generally children are making satisfactory

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and outcomes for children

progress and are developing appropriate skills for the future. Children are beginning to interact well with each other and are beginning to form stable relationships.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed appropriately, according to their age and stage of development. The childminder helps children to understand what is acceptable behaviour. The childminder teaches children how to evacuate safely from the house in the event of a fire. They are encouraged to be safe in the home, however, there are times when too many toys are accessible to the younger children, who are not confidently steady on their feet and could trip and hurt themselves. The childminder ensures that the children are within sight and hearing of her, especially when walking home from school. She ensures animals around the children are appropriately managed to ensure the children's safety. The childminder is aware that liaising with other services and providers helps to ensure the progression and continuity of care and learning for the children. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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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