Childminder in South GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 13 Oct 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290374 Inspection date 13/10/2010 Inspector Zahida Hatia

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 14 years old. They live in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire. The property is within walking distance of local amenities such as school, shops and parks. The whole of the property is registered for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. Care is provided on a part-time basis throughout the year. She currently has 10 children on roll on a part-time basis, three of whom are in the early years age group.

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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 provides a very warm and welcoming environment to all children and their families. She meets the needs of the children in her care because she has a good awareness of their individual abilities. As a result children are making good progress towards the early learning goals in most areas of learning. All legally required documentation to promote children's welfare is maintained and in the main this is consistently shared with parents. The childminder is in the early stages of evaluating her strengths and areas for development. She is committed and enthusiastic about continually improving her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all records are consistently shared with parents with particular regards to medication administered  continue developing self evaluation process clearly taking into account the views and opinions of parents and children to further improve outcomes for children

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role with regards to protecting children in her care and has appropriate systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded. Her child protection policy supports her practice and is made available for all parents. She has a good knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the process of assessing potential risks to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in the home and on outings. Written risk assessments are in place which helps eliminate any hazards or risks, enhancing children's safety at all times. The childminder has recently updated an appropriate first aid course minimising the risks to children should they have a minor accident. There are clear records of children's attendance and accidents and records of medication administered are maintained. However, the chosen procedure for recording and sharing details of

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the early years provision

medication administered is not always implemented effectively to ensure that parents are fully informed of the relevant details.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a variety of resources and play materials to support their learning and development. For example, children select from the range of age appropriate toys, which are stored in labeled drawers and boxes. Children freely move around the available space, making decisions about their play and resources. The childminder provides an inclusive environment, where all children are welcome and have equal access to the activities on offer. They have access to a variety of resources and activities, which support their understanding of diversity. For example, the childminder provides books, play figures and posters. Children have the opportunity to celebrate festivals and discuss other cultures with the childminder which has a positive impact on children's understanding of the wider world. The childminder has recently started to implement a process of self- evaluation, to help support the continuous improvement of the provision. However,

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the early years provision

this is in the early stages of development and as yet the views of parents and children are not incorporate in this process. The childminder continues to access training opportunities and obtains advice from other practitioners and Local Authority development officers. The childminder works well in partnership with parents. They are kept suitably informed of their child's development and progress. As well as daily discussions to exchange and share relevant information about their children, parents also have easy access to children's learning journals. They are encouraged to contribute to children's learning by looking at these and adding any comments if they wish. Parents written comments are positive about the daily routine their children receive. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the relevance of working in partnerships with other providers of Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy, settled and secure in her care. They approach her confidently and freely. The childminder talks to the children constantly as they play, which encourages their growing communication skills. For example, she happily chats to the baby about the texture of the corrugated cardboard and holds up silver paper so that the baby can see the different colours and shapes it captures around the room as they explore the sensory box. The childminder gently hides the child's face with a silk scarf as they play 'peek-a-boo' the child laughs at the sensation of the soft scarf against his face. The childminder is skilled at encourage older children to develop their language skills as she involves herself in their play, asking them questions to help them think about what they are doing. The childminder plans her day flexibly to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

take into account different drop off and pick up times. Good behavior is encouraged at all times, with children receiving lots of praise and encouragement. They are encouraged to be kind to one another and not to throw toys in case they hurt each other.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and as a result, children are making good progress. She has introduced individual learning records, which include detailed observations, photographs and examples of children's work. Observations on the whole are clearly linked to the early learning goals and children's next steps in development are used to inform planning. Children's creative development is promoted well through various different media, such as play dough, paint cutting and sticking. Children enthusiastically join in with familiar rhymes and are beginning to handle books with care. Children enjoy pressing the buttons on the interactive toys or making a noise with the musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoors older children thoroughly enjoy planting seeds and watching them grow, they pick strawberries for snack and lunch times. Older children take turns playing ball games in the childminder's garden. Children enjoy regular trips out to places such as the local parks nearby where they have opportunity to use large climbing apparatus. Older children are able to choose what they would like to do after a busy day at school; they talk to the childminder about what they would like to do the next time they are at her house she incorporates their ideas into her planning. Children adopt good personal health and hygiene practices. For example, even very young children know they need to have their hands wiped before snack time.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder acts as a good role model, as she washes her hands before preparing their breakfast or snack and sets aside toys for washing after children have put them in their mouths. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged because the childminder talks to them about road safety and by gently reminding them that when younger children attend that they must not leave too many toys on the floor as this restricts the younger children from being more mobile or that others may trip over toys. Regular fire drill practices further contribute to children developing an awareness of how to keep safe. Children are able to rest and sleep according to home routines. Children enjoy a wide range of healthy and nutritious snacks and freshly prepared home- made meals. 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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