Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406522 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 2010. She lives with her partner in a two- bedroom, terraced house in Woodmancote, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. The childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor in the living room. Children use the upstairs for sleeping and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed, rear garden with patio and grass for children's outdoor play. The house is within easy walking distance of shops and a library and the childminder takes and collects children to and from a nursery and a primary school. The family has two rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time, including three in the early years age group. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to offer childcare before, during and after school and in school holidays. She offers overnight care for two children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll aged from two years to three years on a full-time basis. The childminder also cares for older children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make sound progress in their learning and development as arrangements are, generally, in place so they access activities and experiences that interest and stimulate them. Their safety and welfare is given satisfactory regard, although some required documents are not maintained, available or kept up-to date. A working partnership with families and knowledge of the importance of linking with other professionals help children to be suitably supported. The childminder has sound capacity for continuous improvement as she seeks the views of parents and children and is aware of the value of evaluating her provision for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 08/02/2011

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further?

 make all records relating to childcare activities readily accessible and available for inspection at all times, including permissions for emergency medical advice and treatment and an up-to-date record of children's attendance. (Documentation). 02/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips and obtain parents' written permission for outings  develop ongoing observational assessments of children's activities to identify links with areas of learning in order to plan the next steps of learning.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding are sufficiently robust to ensure that children are appropriately protected. Suitable procedures are in place and the childminder has access to the procedures required to respond in the event of a concern about a child. Both adults in the household are vetted. The environment in which children are cared for is secure and safe as a daily risk assessment programme identifies dangers and the childminder take positive steps to eliminate risk. However, her systems do not yet ensure that hazards around the premises or on outings are documented so that regular reviews are completed and recorded. Basic records about children are kept though some documents are not immediately available, including any given permissions for outings and for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment. There is a clear system for keeping a record of children's attendance though this is not always kept up to date.

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the early years provision

Suitable use is made of the childminder's home to provide a play environment with space for children to move around freely. At the beginning of the day, young children help to choose resources from those piled in the entrance hall. These are then set out in the living room and, during the day, the childminder suggests and fetches other equipment. The childminder fosters strong relationships with families that make a suitable contribution to children's well-being. Parents and carers are kept informed about significant aspects of the provision and enjoy daily opportunities to discuss the children's development and progress. The childminder is aware of how to work with other agencies; she is building sound links with other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children regarding any concerns and continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder soundly promotes equality of opportunity so that children benefit from her enthusiasm and commitment to their individual care and learning. Self- evaluation procedures are developing so that she has made sound development since registration. She has attended food hygiene training and used the internet to research how to support children with individual needs. The childminder has started to reflect on her practice with the help of parents' spoken views and children's preferences. As a result, she is identifying her strengths and some areas for further development. These include the opportunities for young children to socialise and the need to review children's access to toys and materials when she has moved to different premises. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children make sound progress in all areas of their learning. This is because the childminder has a clear knowledge of their starting points and a developed understanding of child development. Children enjoy activities and experiences which help to meet their needs, engage them and encourage the development of their skills for the future. Observation and the sharing of information with parents mean that children's progress is satisfactorily assessed, though links with areas of learning are not yet made in order to plan the next steps of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are inquisitive and keen to learn, demonstrating good levels of concentration and a strong sense of personal achievement when goals are reached. There are some opportunities for childminded children to play and older children learn to how they can include younger ones in their play. Activities, such as chalking and drawing, help children to mark-make in an enjoyable way whilst the free-and-easy conversation and extensive use of books increases communication skills and introduces new words, such as 'toucan'. Activities such as completing jigsaws and sorting playdough into separate colours promote children's problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Daily use of the outdoor environment means that children have regular opportunities to explore the natural world and the local environment. They enjoy playing in the garden in better weather and gain confidence to feed and stroke the childminder's rabbits. Children

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and outcomes for children

enjoy imaginative play with toy vehicles, such as a 'digger', and express their creativity through singing and experimenting with musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe in the childminder's care. They seek her out for reassurance when they are tired and begin to learn how to keep themselves safe as they play. They use tools correctly, for example, using a knife carefully to prepare snacks and know to stay close to the childminder at the park. They regularly learn what to do in an emergency situation, such as a fire. Children develop a suitable understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Young children know they must wash their hands before lunch as good hygiene practices such as effective hand- washing procedures are implemented. Visits to a park provide them with opportunities to have physical exercise and use larger play equipment. Healthy choices made when shopping for milk and meat for their lunches and growing fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries and cress, contribute to their generally balanced diet.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond well to the clear boundaries set for them. They are particularly well mannered and their behaviour is consistently helpful as the childminder has clear expectations and sets a good example herself. They willingly take on responsibility, for example tidying up toys before getting out new ones. They make some positive choices about their activities as the childminder takes time to listen to their ideas and develop their interests. For example, a child was excited to build a tower with fifteen bricks and told the childminder, 'it's bigger that you.' 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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