Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339179 Inspection date 13/04/2010 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 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 20 months and five years in the residential area of Westlea area 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 four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder also cares for one child over eight years of age. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local playgroup, toddler group; she takes children to the local library, park and shops. The childminder has partnership arrangements with other early years settings, including the local pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is working towards a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development. She is a member of a local childminder support group and is on a childminding network and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 childminder offers a warm, relaxing, friendly environment where children are happy, confident and can play safely. Children are recognised as unique and their individual needs are met very well. A good partnership with parents has developed and detailed information is shared with them regularly both verbally and written. There are good partnerships with other early years settings that children attend and information is shared on a regular basis. There are detailed written policies and procedures in place and contribute to the smooth running of the setting. The childminder is committed to developing the care she provides and has completed the self-evaluation process and has clearly identified areas for improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure an accurate, daily record of the children’s hours of attendance is maintained (Organisation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 27/04/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the links between sensitive observational assessments and general planning of activities that include children’s next steps and interests, so that all children’s individual needs continue to be met.

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the early years provision

The childminder safeguards children effectively. She has clear policies in place and is confident about the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care. The childminder ensures she keeps records any existing injuries of children and shares these with parents. She has clear risk assessments in place which cover all aspects of the environment that children come into contact with. Clear risk assessments for outings are in place which help the childminder keep children safe when away from the premises. The childminder does complete attendance registers for children, but these are not consistently completed as children arrive and leave the premises. The childminder ensures the front door is closed at all times when children are present and the keys are kept nearby, safety gates prevent children's access to areas unsupervised. The children are regularly involved in practising fire evacuation procedures and are confident about them.

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the early years provision

Clear records of fire drills are kept and indicate any problems that may occur and how they are resolved. The childminder keeps accident and medication records and shares these with parents. She ensures that all necessary parental permissions are in place.

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the early years provision

Resources are balanced, easily accessible and in good condition. They are used effectively to help children learn and develop. The childminder has devised a book with photographs of all resources that are in labelled boxes, so younger children are able to see what is available to them. Resources reflect the diversity in the community and are available to all children. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness and understanding about how she would include any children that may attend who have English as an additional language or any who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder has good links with other settings that children attend and regular information is shared both verbal and written. There is a good partnership with parents and regular information is shared with them. The use of daily diaries and sheets ensure parents are kept informed about their child's day and they are able to contribute to their child's care by

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the early years provision

adding their comments. The detailed policies and procedures are shared with them including the complaints procedure. The childminder regularly gives parents questionnaires for them to complete, this helps her assess the care she is providing and make any changes required. Parent's comments are very positive and include how flexible and professional the childminder is. They also comment on how happy their children are and the brilliant activities that are offered and the regular access to outside play.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improve the care she provides and has completed the self-evaluation process successfully. She has clearly identified areas she wishes to improve and through discussion demonstrates how she intends to achieve the improvements. The childminder has addressed the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recommendation from the last inspection and has now put in place a complaint record to enable her to record any complaints should they occur.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and feel safe in their surroundings. They have a sense of belonging and interact with the childminder as they play. The childminder uses plenty of and praise and encouragement with the children and they respond with good behaviour. Any minor incidents are sorted out quickly and effectively by the childminder. Children are well occupied and progress well in all areas of learning and development. They are challenged and provided with a good range of activities. Their individual needs are met well by the childminder as they play. For example, the younger children wanted to look at books, so the childminder sits on the back door step with them so she could look at the books, but also supervise the older children in the garden at the same time. The childminder is completing detailed observations and learning journey books on all children. She is careful to identify their next steps, however she has not yet clearly linked these or children's

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and outcomes for children

interests to the general planning of activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a lovely time in the garden and are able to have free flow from the inside to outside. They enjoy playing with prams, dolls, balls, scooters and bikes. They interact together well and devise and play games themselves. The older children were observed playing knights and play fighting. They take care not hurt each other as they pretend to fight with swords. Children explore the garden and find bugs, spiders and interactions with the childminder are good. She asks open questions to help them think and problem solve. Children were observed planting sunflower seeds. The childminder is careful to allow both the younger and older children to fill their own plant pots with soil, count their seeds into the pots and cover them up with soil. Children take great delight in doing this and are encouraged to sweep up the soil they had spilt on the floor. Children are developing their language skills through the clear language the childminder uses

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and outcomes for children

and regular easy access to books. The childminder is calm, caring and demonstrated lots of patience and understanding for the children and their need.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. They have regular access to the outside area and enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Children are encouraged in understanding about healthy hygiene practices as they wash their hands before meals and after being outside. They have their own hand towels, which help prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is a good role model and children see her washing her hands before preparing food. The children are offered healthy meals and snacks and sit very well when eating. They obviously enjoy their food and enjoy mealtimes. Children are provided with their lunches according to their individual needs, for example when the younger children request lunch, the older children are able to continue playing as they say they are not hungry yet. They have their lunches at a later time. The childminder has good nappy changing procedures in place and ensures she maintains children's privacy when nappy

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and outcomes for children

changing. Children are developing skills for the future and are encouraged to have good table manners, use 'please' and 'thank you' and are encouraged to be kind to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each other and make friends. Children are active learners, join in happily and are settled and inquisitive and eager to learn. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 27/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 27/04/2010

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