Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363291 Inspection date 15/02/2011 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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 and two children in Redland/Westbury Park, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family care for a rabbit and guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. When working alone the childminder may care for a maximum of six children under eight years old; and, when working with an assistant, may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years old. At present, the childminder has 12 children on roll; all of whom are in the early years age group. The home is within walking distance of the local school, park and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has gained the Montessori International Diploma in early childhood and is accredited.

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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 make very good progress in their learning and development through the childminder's excellent implementation of the Montessori principles. Excellent relationships are established with the children who are happy and confident. Positive relationships are established with parents and systems to share information with other early years providers are being developed. Through the use of a quality assurance system the childminder is beginning to monitor and analyse the provision effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the systems to monitor the provision effectively.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is paramount within the homely environment. Robust systems are in place to ensure adults residing or working at the premises are appropriately vetted. The childminder has appointed an assistant, who is very knowledgeable of policies and procedures, to ensure children are extremely well supervised. However, when working together, they are caring for more children than their conditions of registration allow as registered numbers have not been amended to reflect the partnership working. The childminder has given a reasonable excuse This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and on this occasion OFSTED does not intend to take further action. The childminder has excellent knowledge of child protection issues including possible signs of child abuse and the procedure to follow, and has literature readily available to ensure any concerns are dealt with promptly. Comprehensive risk

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the early years provision

assessments of all areas used by the children ensure a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The children are extremely happy and settled within the caring relationships established with the childminder and her assistant. Children are given individual attention by knowledgeable practitioners who have high regard for their individual needs. Excellent use is made of the local environment and topics such as, people who help us, to enhance children's understanding of the community. The dedicated play room is extremely well equipped with resources and positive images to reflect diversity in our society such as, globes, puzzles and artefacts. Photograph books are used extremely well to ensure children are happy and settled and have a good sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

Open and positive relationships have been established with the parents who are very appreciative of the childminder's gradual settling in periods where children are given time to adjust within a happy, safe and warm environment. Parents appreciate the regular exchange of information for instance, through the daily diary. Parents willingly contribute to their children's learning for instance, offering insights into children's developing interests such as, volcanoes and skeletons. The childminder is quick to adapt her provision to acknowledge these interests for instance, displaying posters and encouraging children to name parts of their body. Parents receive a wealth of information for instance, through a termly newsletter which reflects the topics children will engage in. The childminder is developing systems to liaise with other early year's settings to ensure relevant information is shared.

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the early years provision

Through the use of a recognised quality assurance scheme the childminder is developing effective systems to monitor her provision. She has very good understanding of her strengths such as, developing independent skills and her communication with parents, and the weaknesses such as, early initial assessments of younger children. Areas for improvement are well targeted and show good understanding of how these will impact on children which is embedded throughout her practice. For example, the childminder wishes to provide a permanent shelter outside which will encourage a richer learning environment to promote creative development and role-play. Excellent progress has been made since the last inspection as the childminder has promptly addressed issues arising, for instance, parental consent has been gained to seek emergency treatment or advice.

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and outcomes for children

The dedicated play room is extremely well organised to encourage children's independence. The childminder frequently adapts the provision as new children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 start for instance, placing toys and resources on the bottom shelf of the unit so that babies can access them independently as they become more mobile. Children thrive as there is an abundant range of high quality toys and resources which meet their individual requirements and thoroughly support the Montessori approach to learning. Children's behaviour is exemplary. The intuitive childminder liaises exceptionally well with parents to ensure continuity in behaviour management strategies.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in a broad and balanced range of experiences. Every opportunity is given to children to initiate their own play which is exceptionally well supported by the childminder. The childminder is mindful of children's learning priorities, interests and motivations and ensures that children are effectively challenged. The childminder uses her observations well to analyse the activities and therefore, influence future, planned activities. Children's communication and independent skills are very well supported.

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and outcomes for children

There are excellent procedures in place to ensure children become aware of their own safety. For example, the childminder ensures that children are fully aware of emergency evacuation procedures as they practise them regularly. She ensures that role-play activities are used to progress the children's understanding of safety and that regular discussions whilst walking ensure children's good understanding of road safety for instance, through the traffic light game. The childminder is very good at encouraging children to think about their safety for instance, when bouncing on the settee she asks whether they need the crash mats down. The childminder and her assistant are vigilant and ensure that the premises are safe and secure. Rigorous systems have been established to ensure that children are collected by appropriate adults.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder collaborates with parents to provide healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which meet children's special dietary requirements. Children willingly engage in hygienic routines. For example, when the children decide they are hungry they share a sociable snack time where they identify their individual flannel, as it has been personalised with a photograph, and use it competently to clean their hands. Independence is fully encouraged as children pour their own drinks and spread butter on their crackers. The childminder encourages children to take safe risks under supervision and they are able to use tools such as, knives competently. The childminder's wonderfully clear explanations to the children about safety are inspirational and children are able to observe the differences in knives and how they should be handled, for instance, not putting them in their mouths. Robust systems are in place to ensure that accidents are dealt with

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and outcomes for children

immediately by a qualified first aid practitioner. Excellent arrangements are in place to ensure that all medication administered to children has appropriate parental consent and is well documented. The childminder has exemplary procedures in place to ensure that appropriate training is gained to support children as they take long-term medication. 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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