Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY368135 Inspection date 28/09/2010 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2007. She lives with her husband in a house in Bridgwater, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group, most are part- time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the childminder's ability to meet each child's individual needs. Partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage are being established. Good use of the environment enables children to take part in a wide range of self-chosen and adult-led activities, which promote their development. This means that children make good progress in their learning. Children are kept safe through good procedures and most documentation is in place. Good use of self-evaluation means the childminder continues to make improvements, to ensure good outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 monitor and review the new planning and assessment system in order to ensure all the observations match the expectations of the learning goals and identify next steps for their development  extend the records of risk assessment for each type of outing for the safe and efficient management of the setting.

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the early years provision

Children are protected through the childminder's good awareness of child protection issues. She has appropriate documentation in place for further guidance and has applied to attend training to further update her knowledge. The premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are kept secure and procedures, such as closing the curtains to change nappies, protects children's privacy. The childminder has kept Ofsted informed of changes to her personal circumstances. Good risk assessments ensure that risks to children are minimised, while promoting their independence and challenging their development. Necessary records of risk assessments to the premises are maintained. However, although risks are fully assessed for outings, not all records are maintained in order for the childminder to review them. Children's personal information to safeguard them is well organised. Good procedures are in place to

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the early years provision

protect children in the event of an emergency. Parents receive excellent information in order to protect their child's welfare. Good consent forms ensure parents' wishes and children's individual needs are met.

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the early years provision

Good use of self-evaluation, which includes feedback from all of her users, enables the childminder to monitor her provision and make continuous improvement. She regularly meets with other childminders and the early years adviser to discuss practice and implement recommendations. She has purchased a wide range of positive images of people's differences, which was a recommendation at her previous inspection. She has changed her planning and assessment system, and continues to look at ways of improving it. The childminder uses the early learning goals to track children's progress and plan for their future development. However, some observations are not dated. She provides detailed information for parents, on a daily basis, about how their child has spent their day, any achievements and their development. However, these are not currently linked to the assessments.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is outstanding. The childminder works closely with them, recognising them as vital partners in the assessment and planning process. Parents are kept fully involved in all decisions affecting their children. A new system has been introduced to obtain extensive information from parents about their children's starting points and interests, for example, how their child communicates, use of sign language, home language or special words. This enables the childminder to build on their current development and meet their welfare requirements. Parents' opinions are sought on the provision, through discussion and questionnaires. Parents' responses are extremely positive. The childminder provides guidance and sensitive support for parents of children with any additional needs. She makes suggestions on activities to try at home and ensures that they are working together consistently, for the benefit of the children.

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the early years provision

One child now attends another provider delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the childminder has begun to make the links in order to provide continuity of care and welfare.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a welcoming environment set up with books, many resources in low-level containers, wall charts, child-size table and chairs with writing resources and a wide range of outdoor equipment. Children are able to select resources and be independent in their learning, consequently, they enjoy the activities and are excited by their achievements. The daily opportunities provided by the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 support children in making good progress in all areas of their development. She sets appropriate development targets to challenge them in their next steps of their learning, through understanding what interests the children. For example, she uses one child's favourite book of Buzz Lightyear to talk about shapes. The childminder uses some whole-group time to find pictures to describe the weather and know the date. She provides good interaction to promote language and communication. For

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and outcomes for children

example, when one child uses a Duplo brick as the telephone she joins in with their conversation. They begin to understand the meaning of words by copying and repeating actions and words used by the childminder. For example, when she says 'up' a child moves their truck up one shelf, 'down' they move their truck down one shelf, 'on the floor' and they put the truck on the floor. Children are inquisitive and explore the resources available using all their senses. For example, they press the buttons on a child's computer to find out what they do, and shake and bang the instruments.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe and secure in the childminder's home and learn about their own personal safety. For example, they know not to touch the plants which have thorns. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures and learn about road safety on their many outings and walks. Children remove their shoes inside and play in clean, appropriately heated premises. Excellent nappy changing procedures protect the younger children from cross contamination. Children have very good opportunities to be outside and use a range of physical equipment. Children clean their hands before and after eating, and handling animals. They help themselves to fresh drinking water and develop an excellent awareness of healthy eating, through a range of snacks and growing vegetables. Children sleep and are active according to their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop excellent manners and understand expectations, such as sitting at a table to eat. Children are very excited to see each other arrive and welcome them, helping them to remove their shoes. Children happily say goodbye to their parents. They respond well to the childminder's caring and supportive manner. She is gentle and calm with the children, and gets eye contact with them before talking about feelings and consequences of their actions. Children have excellent opportunities to meet and mix with others in their community, and an excellent range of resources and activities promote children's positive awareness of people's differences. The childminder uses sign language with the children and a wide range of visual aids to ensure children of all abilities are included. Children help raise money for those less fortunate than themselves, and have very good opportunities to learn about their own environment and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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