Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344001 Inspection date 15/04/2010 Inspector Carole Elizabeth Price

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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 registered in 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may accept five children under eight years of whom one may be aged under one year at any one time. She currently has nine children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. She sometimes works with her husband as an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives in the town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire. Local amenities include schools, pre-schools, toddler groups, shops, a library and local play parks. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight years in a four bedroom, detached home. Play primarily takes place on the ground floor. Other areas of the home are used at the childminder's discretion. An enclosed rear garden is also available for use. The family have a cat and two rabbits.

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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's welfare is promoted effectively, as their well-being and happiness is the childminder's main priority. They progress well in their learning and development, supported by extremely strong partnerships with parents and all concerned with the children. The childminder welcomes each child warmly, providing well for their individual needs overall, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This childminder's many strengths stem from her determination to improve her understanding of child development and continue developing her knowledge through attending training and workshops. She is strongly placed to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure future plans identify specific targets for each child  further develop knowledge of risk assessment procedures with specific regard to fire safety equipment.

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the early years provision

The children are cared for in an environment where their safety is of a high priority to the childminder. She conducts comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the home, garden and for any outings. Smoke alarms are checked, however, the childminder is uncertain how regularly this should be to comply with fire safety requirements. Any hazards identified are dealt with quickly and efficiently. The childminder makes sure that adults associated with her household undergo vetting procedures to check they are suitable to be with children and clearly records the presence of visitors. She has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children and has all required policies clearly in place ensuring children are safeguarded well.

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the early years provision

The childminder, who is well organised, is aware of the requirements and regulations and has good quality information and documentation available to allow her to meet children's needs effectively. She is very aware of the children in her care and their individual needs. She treats and respects all children as valued individuals and is effective in promoting equality and diversity within her setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed her self-evaluation form, reflecting on her practice whilst doing so. She has talked and discussed issues with parents and received very positive feedback. She has implemented some improvements to the outdoor area by erecting a blackboard for outdoor use. She has also increased her knowledge of child development through completing a level 3 home based childcare qualification, demonstrating how she has improved her practice to date. She has drive and enthusiasm to continue in her training and further develop her knowledge and this demonstrates her commitment to continuously improve her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages extremely well with parents and partnerships are extremely highly valued. Time is spent with individual families to establish a settling in routine to ensure all feel relaxed and included. Clear, two-way, information is shared with parents on a daily basis and they are involved in their child's learning through the sharing of plans and assessments of their children and contributing to their developmental records. The childminder makes every effort to seek parents and children's views on her provision and adjusts what she offers in the light of their comments. For example, she recently reviewed her menus following discussions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content and show a strong sense of feeling safe and secure as they cuddle the childminder before settling down to sleep. They demonstrate great pleasure as they play with the electronic toys and discover new sounds or act out role play with the childminder. Children receive good support from the childminder who talks happily and enthusiastically about what they are doing and encourages them to respond, praising them as they say initial words. Together they sing songs using toys as props to act out the rhyme and make it a meaningful experience for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of activities across all six areas of learning. The childminder provides a good variety of well presented resources which are accessible to the children to allow them to select for themselves. She carefully observes their play, records developments and achievements and uses this information to plan for their next steps in learning. However, plans do not fully identify specific targets for each child, the childminder relies on her knowledge of the children but her assistant may not be so well informed. Children benefit from a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities and weather permitting choose This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 whether to play indoors or outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about equality and the diversity of the world around them as they visit places in the community, toddler groups, celebrate festivals, try different foods from around the world and make poppy wreaths for Remembrance Day. They sing, dance and play instruments along with the music. Children are learning about number and calculation as they say number rhymes, count the pieces of fruit on their plate and talk about 'one more'. They explore the sand area and the treasure basket full of natural objects and use different materials for creative play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved. They are learning about sharing and taking turns as they share the toys and take turns using the favourite bike. The childminder helps them to understand about simple rules through routine and explanation. For example, explaining why they shouldn't climb on the bike and why they should hold hands or follow road safety rules when out and about.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy, nutritious food is offered to the children throughout the day. They have access to water at all times and enjoy extra drinks during snack and meal times where they all sit together with the childminder to enjoy some social time. Children learn good personal hygiene routines from a young age; for example, older children wash their hands while the childminder always wipes younger children's hands before eating. Healthy lifestyles are encouraged through daily fresh air and exercise, growing, harvesting and eating vegetables and cooking activities where they discuss the recipe. 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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