Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY289522 Inspection date 08/04/2010 Inspector Susan Esther Harvey

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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 2004. She lives with her 16 year old daughter in Corsham, Wiltshire; shops, park and local amenities are within walking distance. All of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed front garden for outside play. The childminder has a dog and cat for pets and a tank of goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four in this age group, some in part-time places. The childminder offers care for children over five years. She is also registered to work with an assistant.

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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 capacity to improve her professional development is one of the childminder's key strengths. She uses this knowledge to provide inclusive practice for children as their learning needs are fully met in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder has a strong partnership with parents and is beginning to develop contact with other settings ready for when children start attending. The childminder has taken time to evaluate her practice and has included the views of parents and children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that documentation including complaints relates to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard children by attending training courses. This brings her in-line with the latest legislation. There is an effective system in place to protect children from people who are not vetted. This includes a book to record and monitor visitors who come to the home. A detailed risk assessment is in place to check all areas are safe for children to use, both inside the home and on outings. Most of the policies and procedures provided for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place, but the complaints procedure and record is not linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 There is a clear system in place for the childminder to identify children's abilities and monitor their progress. Planning is centred around a theme which creates children's interests for which the childminder then plans activities and provides

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the early years provision

resources to extend their interest. Information is gathered from a range of sources including photographs and examples of children's work. As a result, the next steps to children's learning and development are maintained. The childminder's regular use of the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage has a positive effect on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The deployment of resources in the childminder's home is used to good effect. Children have ready access to a wide range of toys and equipment from marked storage boxes displaying pictures of the contents for easy identification. Children play well together and confidently ask for the toys and games they want if out of reach. The childminder takes children out each day to places of interest. This includes picnics at the local garden centre where children can climb on large equipment, run around on grass, as well as visits to the library, toddler groups and soft play centres. During their time in the childminder's home, children can play with good quality toys and resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages with parents each day. She provides newsletters for parents and a detailed daily diary explains what children have done, where they have been and what activities they have taken part in. Parents can also see what their child has achieved from a display board with children's 'wow' moments evidenced in writing, photographs or sample of children's work. Although there are no early years children attending other settings at this present time, the childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to work in partnership with other places where children are likely to attend. Parent questionnaires go some way to ensure that the childminder is taking account of their wishes. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation document and identified areas for improvement which will have an impact on children's learning, such as developing their interest in growing vegetables. This followed a course taken by the childminder which showed

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the early years provision

the value of what children can learn out-of-doors. Equality and diversity is promoted through books, resources and festivals. For example, children enjoy taking part in celebrating Chinese New Year and photographs show them engaging in craft activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Frequent opportunities to have daily fresh air and exercise help children to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides anti-bacterial wipes to use when in public places to ensure that children have clean hands to eat their lunch. Healthy food options are mainly provided by the childminder with the occasional treat. Areas used by the children are clean and welcoming. There is child sized comfortable seating and table and chairs for young children to sit at to play. Displays around the room include telling parents the theme for the term, photographs of children's activities, colourful posters and a well stocked book case for children to access books easily. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is firm in her management of children's behaviour. They know the boundaries and are aware of the 'golden rules'. For example, children know where

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and outcomes for children

to stand by the garden fence to keep safe ready to be lifted into the car, before going out. Children are extremely well behaved in public and listen carefully to what the childminder has to say. They learn to cross the road in safety, looking for traffic at all times. There are other ways in which children learn to keep safe, such as tidying away toys after use and taking part in an emergency evacuation drill.

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and outcomes for children

Children play well and are sociable. They enjoy using chalks to draw on small blackboards; they create traffic jams with toy cars and role play. Children crayon printed sheets carefully and are confident in the care of the childminder. Children learn to socialise with others during their time at toddler groups, they can take part in craft activities and listen to stories. On journeys, children listen to nursery rhymes and heartily sing songs such as 'the wheels on the bus'. Children learn skills for the future. For example, photographic evidence show them cooking and bug hunting out of doors as they learn about nature and the world around them. 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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