Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411490 Inspection date 15/12/2010 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 registered in 2010. She lives with her two children aged 15 and 12 years old. Their home is a link-detached three-bedroom house in the Wyman's Brook area of Cheltenham. The whole of the premises are available for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the house which is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

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 three children on roll on a part-time basis, two 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

Children's individuality and interests are respected and nurtured by the childminder which ensures they are valued and fully included. The childminder has a good rapport with children and she supports their development through her experience and knowledge of their different stages. Children's welfare is promoted well and is underpinned by policies and procedures, and most documentation is in place. Systems for observations and assessments are being developed. The childminder works mostly successfully with parents which supports a regular exchange of information. She is developing positive relationships with other agencies to meet the needs of children effectively. The childminder is beginning to understands her strengths and weaknesses, and has a sound capacity to make continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve procedures to ensure that identified next steps in learning are implemented into planning, matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  develop procedures that when children attend more than one setting practitioners regularly share information including learning and development records  further improve self evaluation process to clearly identify strengths and weaknesses to further improve outcomes for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and of her own responsibility to protect children's safety and welfare, which ensures children are well protected. She has further improved her knowledge in this area by attending updated training. In addition, the childminder ensures all adults having contact with children are suitable and appropriately vetted. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements and of the information she needs to obtain from parents and ensures all records are well maintained. Effective records are maintained with regard to the children's attendance, medication and accidents. All records are stored to maintain confidentiality. A comprehensive risk assessment programme is in place which means that potential hazards are identified and appropriately addressed. For example, care is taken to keep the premises secure and toys and equipment are

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the early years provision

Parents are well informed about the provision as they have access to a good range of information about policies, procedures and daily practice. Parents are actively encouraged to share what they know about their child at admission. Through a number of means, they are kept well informed about the service the childminder provides. For example, they access copies of written policies, can discuss their child's day informally, and receive detailed daily diaries. They have a clear picture of their child's progress as the childminder regularly shares information in their developmental records and ensures that time is given over to discuss children's achievements and interests. As a consequence, parents speak warmly of the care their children receive. There are some basic links with other provisions attended by the children. However, these are not yet sufficiently developed to ensure that information about children's learning and development is regularly shared.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice, taking into consideration her strengths and making notes of the improvements she would like to maker to her provision. However, this is not fully implemented to effectively promote continuous improvement. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families to ensure children get the support they need to make good progress. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. The childminder promotes equality and diversity in ways, which is meaningful to the children. For example, they watch children's cookery program on television and this prompts discussions about different types of food and where different styles of dishes originate from such as Italian food, Indian food and Chinese foods. She provides a wide range of good quality resources that are easily accessible so that all children can make good choices and decisions in their play. Although there are currently no

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the early years provision

children attending who have special educational need and or disabilities the childminder shows a good understanding of sharing relevant information with other practitioners to ensure continuity and coherence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and confident in familiar surroundings, as the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. The childminder has formed strong loving relationships with children and they interact positively with adults. She offers clear praise consistently and this encourages children's positive behaviour. As a result, children are at ease in the setting and clearly enjoy their time with the childminder. The child-friendly environment encourages children's play as they are free to move around and are able to select toys from a good range of resources in order to initiate or change activities. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foudation Stage. A wide range of activities and resources are in place to meet the children's needs and provide stimulating experiences across all areas of learning. The childminder links all activities with the children's interests and

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and outcomes for children

clearly knows children very well. Individual development records are in place for children, however these are in their infancy. Records include information about the children's activities but are not clearly linked to the areas of learning. Next steps in children's development are highlighted; however, procedures to ensure that these are used to inform future planning and how progress is tracked are not clear to see.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in interesting and imaginative creative experiences, which effectively nurture their self-expression while having a lot of fun. Younger children enjoy experimenting with different sounds, they play with interactive toys which make different musical sounds and flashing lights. Older children love to be creative explore different textures and make marks with pencils,chalks and paint. Children's early communication skills are consistently fostered, resulting in close interactions between themselves and the childminder. Their language and literacy skills are well supported. The childminder uses good communication skills with children and is conversant with a range of techniques to support children. For example, babies love to explore books as the childminder snuggles them close and reads simple picture books to them. They show delight as she points to pictures of animals in the book and she makes animated animal noises, encouraging them to

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and outcomes for children

Children access fresh air and exercise daily by going out into the community. Good attention is given to promoting children's physical development as they enjoy trips to the park, toddler group and walking to school to collect older children. The childminder provides a range of resources that move or make a noise when touched to stimulate younger children to reach out with their arms and legs and this engourages them to become more mobile. Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. Children are able to explore safely using clean and well maintained resources. They are active or restful through good routines and babies sleep in line with their individual needs and parent's wishes. Children's well-being is enriched through accessing a healthy diet. Snacks provided are varied and nutritious children have access to water through the day so that they maintain good hydration levels. Parents provide main meals

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and outcomes for children

which the childminder is happy to warm up if required. Effective procedures ensure children are cared for appropriately when ill. This reduces the risk of the spread of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 infection. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, is in place and up-to-date. These positively safeguard children's well-being. The childminder provides young children with good levels of adult supervision so they take appropriate risk as part of their development. Children are encouraged to learn about staying safe on outings through appropriate discussions regarding road safety. Older children clearly explain to visitors about what to do if the smoke alarm is set off. Regular checks and cleaning keep the broad range of toys and resources in good condition. 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 3 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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