Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405157 Inspection date 12/08/2010 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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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children in the village of Starcross near Exeter, Devon. Children are predominantly cared for on the ground floor of her home, including her garden. They do not have access to the loft extension.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to four children under eight years; of whom two may be in the early years age range. No overnight care is offered. The childminder offers care from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm but can be flexible. She currently has seven children on her register, four of whom are in the early years age range.

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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 has a good knowledge and understanding of the individual needs of all the children in her care, which enables her to promote their welfare and learning. Children play happily and safely in the childminder's home. Children benefit from the good partnerships that the childminder has built with their parents and others that provide their care. The childminder is proactive in developing her practice and demonstrates a good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend current resources to provide children with opportunity to explore a variety of natural materials  link current observations and assessments to the EYFS framework to ensure that children are developing and to identify next steps

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the early years provision

The childminder has robust systems in place to ensure that children can play safely both in her home and when on trips to other locations. She completes regular risk assessments and reviews them to make sure children are safe at all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 times. For example, she ensures that children are safely restrained in age- and weight-appropriate seats when travelling in her car. She also undertakes fire drills to ensure children can be evacuated quickly in the event of an emergency. The childminder is clear about her responsibility to safeguard children and has clear systems in place to do this should it be necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving her own practice by attending relevant training to develop her skills and knowledge. She is an active member of a local childminding group where she can share and improve her knowledge of caring for young children. The childminder makes good use of her home and local area to provide children with a variety of learning opportunities. However, the toys currently available to children in her home are mainly constructed from plastic, providing children with limited opportunity to explore other materials. Regular details observations of each child ensure that they are undertaking activities that cover all areas of their learning and identify next steps for children's learning. The childminder has identified that these observations are not yet clearly linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and that this is an area for development.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good partnerships that the childminder has with their parents. She has devised effective ways of sharing information, both with the parents of the children she cares for and other providers of their childcare, such as pre-schools that they attend. This shared information enables her, and them, to fully meet children's individual needs. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of children with English as an additional language and takes positive steps to ensure that all children are able to communicate with her.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's care. They interact well with her and each other as they play together. Children clearly feel secure and are familiar with the daily routines. They take part enthusiastically in the activities provided for them and undertake a wide range of adult and child-led activities. Children are confident to make their needs known, for example, telling the childminder when they are tired and needing a sleep. The childminder responds quickly and positively to the children, adapting her planned routines to meet their needs. Children learn to enjoy a love of books as they are read to regularly and can also choose a book for themselves from a large selection freely available to them. The childminder talks to the children constantly, developing their language and thinking skills as she uses open questions naturally in conversation. Children develop their pre-writing skills as they use small tools such as glue brushes. Young

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and outcomes for children

children gain an understanding of shape and size as they build with large plastic bricks.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle. For example, snacks that are offered are healthy and nutritious and children are encouraged to drink water regularly. Children are also given regular opportunities to develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical skills as they go to the local beach and parks for fresh air and exercise. At toddler groups they develop good social skills as they mix with other children. Children are proud to share their achievements, for example, when they have completed a picture. They receive praise from the childminder regularly, which boosts their positive self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world in which they live as they have regular trips out. An outing to the zoo, for example, provides a myriad of learning opportunities and the childminder extends children's learning when they get home through discussions and activities about the animals they saw. Children's behaviour is good with minor squabbles being dealt with quickly and sensitively by the childminder, using age-appropriate techniques such as distraction to defer the situation. Children are encouraged to be friendly to each other and to share their toys together, learning what is right and wrong. 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 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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