Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343659 Inspection date 22/07/2010 Inspector Michelle Tuck

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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 three children, aged six, 10 and 12 years. The family live in Peasedown St. John, near Bath in North East Somerset. Childminding predominately takes place on the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, including children over eight years. There is one child attending in the early years age range. The family have a rabbit.

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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 make good progress in their learning as they enjoy being with the childminder who observes them closely to be well aware of their individual needs and interests. Most required documentation is completed and the childminder's good organisation and motivation ensure that children have positive experiences and are well cared for in a safe environment. Overall, the home is organised to enable children to choose from attractive, indoor resources and to be actively engaged in some interesting, outdoor activities. The childminder works in close partnership with families and other providers so that children's learning and welfare needs are effectively met. Careful reflection ensures that plans are well targeted to bring about further improvement to her provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 practise the emergency evacuation procedure  keep a record of existing injuries.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively supported to ensure they are safe in the childminder's home and when on outings. They learn about handling resources safely and are taught how to cross the road using the Green Cross Code. Regular risk assessments conducted by the childminder of her premises ensure that potential accidents for children are minimised and toys and equipment are safe and suitable. Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and understands her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare to the appropriate agencies.

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the early years provision

The childminder deploys her resources well to support children's growing independence. They move freely between the rooms used for childminding and outside, selecting toys from the accessible storage and making choices in their play and learning. The childminder keeps her skills up to date through regular training on matters such as food hygiene and first aid to ensure children's needs continue to be met. The childminder has begun to evaluate what she provides for the children to ensure continuous improvement. Parents and children have opportunities to comment on the childminder's service through discussion and questionnaires to help her maintain and further improve the service on offer.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed about their children's development and care. A regular chat helps parents to keep up to date with the daily events, and observations made about children's skills are shared with parents to help plan for children's progress. Partnerships with parents and others is a key strength of the childminder as she supports children and their families extremely well. The childminder communicates well with parents who are given clear information in the policies and procedures to keep them informed about the service. A parent notice board also contains useful information. Particular groups of children are not disadvantaged because the childminder offers an inclusive service and her plans are based on individual children's needs.

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and outcomes for children

The organisation of the learning environment enables children to select and use activities and a range of appropriate resources independently. A good range of books help children foster a positive image of both themselves and others. Daily routines and space are well organised for children to have time to concentrate on activities and develop their own interests. For example, children are allowed to dress up in their favourite role play outfit and use their imaginations well. The childminder interacts with the children at a high level and helps them to develop their language through extending their vocabulary. She encourages children to use their senses to explore, asking them what things feel like. Children use words such as 'spongy' to describe what they feel.

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and outcomes for children

Parents provide good information on children's likes and dislikes, and the childminder plans activities and routines with these in mind. The childminder takes photographs of the children engaged in activities and their achievements to keep in a learning journal which she shares with parents. Observations are linked to the areas of learning, and she has begun to plan for their next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about evacuating the building quickly through discussion, although the childminder has not practised this with the children yet. Children gain a good awareness of healthy eating through enjoying a choice of healthy snacks and meals provided by the childminder. They know they must wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Children have good opportunities to use the garden, parks and local community to promote their health and physical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. Most documentation is in place to support the children's health; however, the childminder does not keep a record of existing injuries.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives the children lots of one-to-one attention to make them feel valued and she praises children frequently to encourage positive behaviour. Children learn about and understand the needs of different groups of people through playing in an environment with positive images of wider society. Children are learning useful skills for the future. They develop their early knowledge of literacy through books and stories. For example, the childminder reads the story of 'ten in the bed' to the children using soft toy animals to represent the animals in the story. The children listen with excitement to the story tipping each animal onto the floor as the story unfolds. 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 1 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 1

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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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