Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268140 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Hilary Elizabeth Tierney

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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 2003. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years in the residential area of Gorse Hill in Swindon. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding a total of seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder also cares for two children over eight years of age. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the toddler group and takes children to the park and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding course, safeguarding children and food hygiene training. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group.

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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

Children are happy, confident and have a sense of belonging. They are progressing well in all areas of learning and development and their individual needs are met well by the childminder. Children feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings. Their welfare and emotional well-being is promoted very well by the childminder. There is a good partnership with parents and detailed information is shared with them daily. The childminder has completed the self-evaluation process and demonstrates a commitment to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the links between sensitive observational assessments and planning of activities that include children’s interests and next steps, so that all children’s individual needs continue to be met.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. Clear policies are in place and the childminder is fully aware of the procedure to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care. Records of children's existing injuries are recorded and shared with parents. Fire evacuations are practised with children and detailed records kept. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Gates are used to restrict access to areas unsupervised. Accident and medication books are used effectively and shared with parents. All necessary parental permissions are in place. The childminder demonstrated a clear awareness of the procedures to follow should a parent fail to collect a child or a child goes missing when in her care. Attendance records are clear and completed daily. Sleeping children are checked regularly and all adults in the household are suitably checked. The childminder ensures she keeps detailed records of any visitors to the premises.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a lovely range of balanced resources that are easily accessible for all children. Boxes are clearly labelled using words and pictures. Books are kept on shelves that children can access easily. The childminder demonstrated a good awareness and understanding about how she would include any children that may attend who have special educational needs and/or difficulties or any who may have English as an additional language. Partnerships with parents are good. Detailed information is shared at the end of the day when children are collected. This is in both written and verbal; with daily diaries completed for each child. Children's learning journeys are shared regularly with parents to keep them informed of their child's progress in the areas of learning. Regular reviews of children's routines take place between the parent and childminder and regular questionnaires are completed by parents. Comments from the parents about the childminder were

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the early years provision

very good. All comment on how flexible and approachable she is, how happy they are with the care provided and how happy their children are in the childminder's company. At present no children attend other early years settings, but the childminder was able to demonstrate through discussion how she will link with them when the children she has start attending other early years settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a detailed self-evaluation and has clearly been able to identify areas to improve and develop. She has successfully addressed the recommendations from the last inspection which demonstrates her commitment to drive improvement and develop the quality of care she provides.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and comfortable in the childminder's home. They have a sense of belonging as the childminder has made space for them to have their own named coat pegs and displays of their work are easy to see in the lounge. Children enjoy the childminder's company and she offers them plenty of praise and encouragement as they achieve and she offers the younger children reassurance when required. The childminder has a calm, caring approach towards the children and they respond with good behaviour. They are developing skills for the future through careful guidance from the childminder. She encourages them to say 'please' and 'thank you', share, take turns and say sorry to each other if they have hurt someone. Children are progressing well in all areas of learning and development. Their individual needs are met well by the childminder and she knows them all well. Although the childminder has started to observe children and

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and outcomes for children

has clearly identified their starting points, she has not linked children's next steps or identified their interests to the general planning of activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy taking part in a variety of activities. They enjoy looking at books alone and together with the childminder. They enjoy taking part in a number of activities that develop their creative skills, such as painting, play dough and role play. They are encouraged to count and problem solve as they play, for example, children count bricks as they build towers and play with the cars. Younger children join in the games and the childminder shares her time between the children equally. Children enjoy developing their imagination through role play with dolls and pretending to be on the telephone. The childminder talks with them as they pretend to speak to their parents on their play telephone. The childminder asks

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and outcomes for children

open-questions to help children think and problem solve as they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy hygiene practises and is a good role model for children in her care. She encourages them to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet, after touching the pets and being outside. Children have their own hand towels and face flannels which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The children observe the childminder washing her hands before preparing meals. Good nappy change procedures are in place and the childminder uses gloves and wipes the mat after each use. Children have good opportunities to get fresh air and exercise through regular outside play in the garden, walks around the local area, to school and to the park. The childminder prepares meals fresh on the day and children's dietary needs are discussed with parents to enable the childminder to meet them well. Children enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. They eat well both at snack and meal times they sit at the table with the childminder to

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and outcomes for children

encourage good table manners. Younger children are encouraged to feed themselves and enjoy meal times. Children have easy access to drinks and their cups are on a small table in the lounge so they can get them at any time. 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 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 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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