Childminder in Bristol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339891 Inspection date 06/04/2010 Inspector Timothy Butcher

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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 lives with her husband and child aged four in Southville, Bristol. The whole of the premises are used for childminding except for the middle reception room and the first floor middle bedroom. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of these, two may be within the early years age range and of these, one may be under one year. The childminder is currently minding eight children under eight years of age, of these, six children are within the early years age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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

Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is caring for more children than the conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the provider did so and took immediate action to address the breach. Ofsted does not intend to take further action. The childminder has begun to evaluate some aspects of her practice and demonstrates the capacity to maintain steady and continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop assessment systems in order to identify learning priorities for each child and share this information with parents  develop further systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The provider carries out a clear written risk assessment of the premises. Hazards are successfully identified, with suitable actions taken to minimise the risks to children. Items such as safety gates and smoke detection equipment are in place. The childminder has a clear understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities should she have a concern. All adults living at the premises have been suitably vetted. The childminder is well organised and has policies and procedures in place to support the safe and smooth running of the provision and these suitably reflect an inclusive approach to practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have easy access to a good range of resources. Resources are used well to match children's abilities and to achieve the desired outcomes in children's learning. The available space is used well with creative activities at the dining table

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the early years provision

and floor space in the lounge and dining room used for children to spread out their play. There is easy access to the garden area outside. The childminder adds to these experiences through the discerning use that she makes of visits out to toddler group and to the library. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. Good opportunities are made to help children understand about the world they live in, such as through the celebration of festival days at toddler group and through informal discussion. Resources such as books and small world figures reflect diversity. Good levels of engagement with parents are established and this results in a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. There is a good on-going exchange of information as time is set aside for discussion with parents. This strongly contributes to the continuity of care for children. Some parents prefer a daily diary and this provides regular updates on their child's care. All parents

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the early years provision

have access to their child's learning folders and individual photographic diaries; and this provides good information about the wide range of activities that children experience and some information about the progress made. However, the process for parents to review and agree their child's next steps in development is weak.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to develop the quality of her self-assessment further through clearer action planning. She has already identified some actions to bring about improvements. She wishes to gain clearer feedback from parents and has a plan to do this through a questionnaire. She has successfully addressed the recommendations from the last inspection. She has introduced documentation under the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder establishes effective partnerships with other settings involved in the care of the children that she minds, such as those with the pre-school.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has developed her own system to record children's progress. She makes regular and accurate observations of children and uses the information effectively to identify the activities she will provide to take children to their next step in development. As a result, she has a clear knowledge of their abilities and they make good progress in their development, given their starting points. The childminder wishes to involve parents more closely in the review of children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children strongly benefit from the welcoming, homely and stimulating learning environment. They appear secure, settled and thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's. They benefit from the good quality interaction with the childminder and as a result they enjoy and achieve, and display a strong sense of belonging. Children make a positive contribution within the setting because they exercise choice. For example, young children choose to play with some musical instruments. They squeal with glee as they move freely between rooms, wave This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rattles and spontaneously wriggle to the sounds they make. Children are sensitively supported by the childminder and gain in confidence. For example, they are encouraged to separate and to become social with others of their age at toddler group. The childminder supports children's communication well, for

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and outcomes for children

example, through keeping up a dialogue with them that prompts their responses. She knows children and their families well and uses this information effectively to support their learning and to make meaningful links with their home experiences. The childminder provides some rich and varied activities for all children. As a result they become active and inquisitive learners; and are well equipped with the skills for future learning. They have fun as they cut, roll out and divide biscuit dough. They are encouraged to count and to recognise shape as they do so. Photographic documentation clearly show that children thoroughly enjoy a wide range of activities, for example, the chance to explore and to test the interactive exhibits and technology at the science centre. They have good opportunities to develop their physical skills as they regularly go to local parks and are introduced to nature and the world around them through these and other visits in the community.

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and outcomes for children

Effective use is made of the garden for children to take their play outside.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is strongly promoted through sensible hygiene procedures that develop children's self-care skills, through routine and through sensitive support. Children are appropriately praised and encouraged. They are strongly supported to become independent. They are encouraged to eat healthily, to develop their appetites and this is further supported through activities such as the planting of vegetables in the garden. Children are helped to feel safe because they play in an environment free from hazards. They are given simple explanations so learn about keeping themselves and others safe. For example, they cooperate with the childminder to put away toys before others are taken out. 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 3 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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