Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300364 Inspection date 16/09/2010 Inspector Linda Dawe

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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 assesses 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 March 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in a detached house in Buckfastleigh. Children have access to all areas of the childminder's home but are usually cared for in two designated playrooms. They also have access to an enclosed garden to the rear of the property.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Voluntary Childcare Register to care for up to five children under the age of eight; three of whom can be in the early years age range. She is also registered to work with a co-childminder and an assistant and when working with both can care for up to 17 children. Care is offered Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 6.30 pm but can be flexible. No overnight care is offered. She and her co-childminder currently have 22 children on their register; 13 of whom are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has an NVQ3 in Early Years Care and Education and a level four certificate in Early Years. She is currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Early Years. She is a registered level three specialist in Early Learning with the Devon County Council.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a pet rabbit that is kept in a hutch in the garden.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has highly effective partnerships with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met. This enables her to plan a range of activities, which result in children making excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development. Her on-going rigorous self-evaluation and reflective practice ensures that the high quality of the provision is maintained.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing systems to ensure there are consistently strong links with other providers  providing children with more opportunity to develop their independence in the home environment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues to ensure that children's safety and welfare is of a very high priority. Her policies and procedures ensure that any concerns she may identify can be quickly addressed in an appropriate well for the well-being of the child. Highly effective risk assessments mean that children can play safely both inside and outside of her home. She has robust systems in place to ensure that anyone working with her is suitable to do so.

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the early years provision

A strength of the provision is the excellent relationships that the childminder builds with the parents and carers of the children she looks after. She provides them with copious information regarding their individual child, which they highly value. She invites parents to become fully involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. The childminder is committed to developing strong links with other professionals and child carers who are delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has achieved this with some and is aware that this remains an ongoing area for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a highly reflective practitioner who evaluates her own practice continuously and who takes positive steps to develop her provision further. She is already a skilled and well qualified childminder and is currently studying for a foundation degree in Early Years to provide her with an even greater knowledge of how children develop and learn. She is proactive in putting any newly acquired skills into practice to further enhance the provision for all the children in her care. The childminder has an excellent range of high quality resources that she organises well; she also works extremely well with her co-childminder and assistant to meet children's needs. For example, she is able to ask her co- childminder to take younger children out for a walk to get them off to sleep whilst she undertakes a more challenging activity with older children. As part of her evaluation the childminder has made plans to develop her outdoor area and create

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the early years provision

another playroom for the children to give them greater independence and to provide free flow play to the garden. Building works are currently in progress to do this.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic learners who are keen to attend. They have formed excellent relationships with the childminder, her family and her co-childminder meaning they feel secure and relaxed in her home. Children demonstrate high levels of curiosity and concentration, becoming absorbed in the activities that are offered to them. Older children are very keen to share their experiences at the childminder with visitors, proudly showing off the playrooms and toys that are available to them. The current two playrooms provide a stimulating and welcoming This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning environment for all the children to use. Their art and craft work is displayed throughout the house and photographs of the children with their own families are displayed to give them a strong sense of security.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn quickly and make significant gains in their learning and development as a result of the in-depth knowledge that the childminder has about each of them. This enables her to tailor activities and care for each child. Children who are new to the setting are given ample time and attention to enable them to settle quickly, according to their individual needs. The broad range of activities offered both in and out of the childminder's home enables children to make excellent progress in areas such as communication and literacy. For example, a visit to the local sorting office, provides children with a knowledge and understanding of people who work in our community. The childminder skilfully uses this outing to provide children with an understanding that print carries meaning as they watch letters being sorted. The theme is carried on when they return to her home where they 'write' their own letters and design their own stamps, developing their creativity and

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a very healthy life-style as they have regular access to fresh air and exercise. They are encouraged to eat healthily and understand why. Children learn the importance of looking after themselves, for example, by washing their hands regularly. The childminder is also extremely sensitive to children's individual needs, for example, by ensuring that children have regular opportunity to sleep or rest, to benefit their overall health. Children learn to think about their own safety and well-being. For example, by the childminder prompting them to be careful on the stairs or through visits to the local police station, which they really enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children receive support in their play but the childminder is also able to take a back step and enable them to investigate and explore for themselves, when appropriate. Children's behaviour is excellent as a result of the constant praise and encouragement they receive. Children learn about different cultures and lifestyles from the excellent resources that the childminder has made.

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and outcomes for children

Each child has an individual file, which clearly shows their achievements and also contains required legal documentation. The childminder makes very effective use of this information, along with individual observations to evidence that children are making excellent progress and to plan for their future learning and development. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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