Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY265598 Inspection date 08/02/2011 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 2004. She lives in a house with her two grown up children in a residential area of Plymouth. All areas of the home are accessible to minded children. Care is mainly provided on the ground floor, which includes a playroom, lounge, kitchen and toilet facilities. There is a small outdoor area for play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children, including three in the early years age group. There are currently 14 children on roll all who attend on a part-time basis, two of these children are in the early years age group. The childminder takes and collects children from several local schools.

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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

The childminder provides children with a warm and comfortable home. She ensures children are well supervised and safe. Most documentation is used effectively to support children's welfare. The childminder gathers sufficient information from parents, which enables her to support children's individual care needs. Children are provided with a suitable range of activities which reflect their preferences, these generally keep them interested throughout the day, but do not always challenge them sufficiently. The childminder is keen to attend training to update her knowledge, however, she has not developed an effective system to monitor her own practice and identify all areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain an accurate record of children's attendance (W5 Documentation) 11/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 implement an effective system to identify areas for development to ensure constant improvements are made  increase knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework to offer better support to children's learning and development through ongoing observation, assessment and planning  develop confidence in dealing with safeguarding concerns. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has an adequate understanding and awareness of safeguarding procedures. She has access to a written policy to refer to in the event of a child protection concern, but lacks confidence in the procedures to follow should she have a concern to ensure prompt action is taken to safeguard children fully. Basic written risk assessments are completed throughout the home and the childminder remains vigilant about safety as children play. The childminder always ensures children are well supervised which helps to keep them safe. Children learn about certain boundaries and expectations which are applied to help to keep them safe. For example, they are reminded not to stand on the chair as they might fall. The childminder maintains documents which help to support children's safety, however, the current system for recording children's attendance is not clear and does not show accurate times of children's attendance to ensure it is fully effective.

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the early years provision

The childminders home provides a comfortable and spacious environment for children to play. Space is used well to provide floor and table top areas where children can engage in activities. Children make choices from the suitable range of equipment the childminder sets out for them, which is based on her understanding of their individual preferences. For example, she ensures there are puzzles accessible, as the children attending particularly like these. The environment is well maintained and positive practices are followed to promote children's health.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes into consideration children's individual preferences when identifying activities to offer. This helps children to feel valued and included. She has started to record observations of some children as they play, supported by photographs to show their achievements. However, the childminder does not yet have a full understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable her to use this to extend children's learning as they play with the toys and equipment provided. This means that although children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder, they are not always sufficiently challenged.

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the early years provision

Positive relationships are established with parents. They feel confident that the childminder understands their child's needs and comment that their children enjoy attending the childminding setting. Parents value the childminders commitment to supporting the needs of each family and offering a friendly and flexible service. The childminder has a range of written policies, procedures and consents that are available to parents to help them understand her role and responsibilities. Daily discussions keep both parents and the childminder well informed about children's care needs, routines and achievements. The childminder has made some links with other settings to which the children attend, increasing consistency for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to develop her own knowledge; she seeks advice from Early Years Professionals and attends regular training opportunities. However, she does not always effectively use ideas gained during this training to better support the needs of children in her care. 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 happy and settled and enjoy the interaction they receive from the childminder. They are confident in the familiar daily routines and explore the range of resources freely. Children are encouraged to build friendships with other children attending and are learning to be respectful of each other. They enjoy attending local toddler groups, where they meet other children and adults and experience being part of a large group. Children are learning about boundaries and expectations regarding their behaviour, they are encouraged to take turns, share and be kind to one another. Children communicate their needs confidently as they chat to the childminder. They have access to books and sometimes visit the local library to increase their interest in stories and reading. They are sometimes involved in counting, increasing their awareness of number order. Daily activities such as walks to school are also used as an opportunity to support children in

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and outcomes for children

sorting and matching, as they identify the colours of vehicles they see. Children enjoy using puzzles, with lots of support from the childminder they move the pieces around to find the correct place for each of them. However, they are not always actively encouraged to problem solve by themselves by using the clues available to them, such as the shape of each piece, to increase their independence and confidence. Children enjoy using materials to make pictures. The childminder provides them with resources such as paper, glue and shiny objects to use, but sometimes gives the children too much adult support. For example, the childminder squeezes the glue onto the paper limiting opportunities for children to develop new skills. Children frequently enjoy visits to the local parks and play areas where they can enjoy using a wide range of equipment to increase their physical skills, strength and co-ordination.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has recently started to record observations of children as they play, which helps her to identify their stage of development. However, she does not then use these observations to help her plan activities that will stretch and challenge children to support them in taking the next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about supporting their own health and safety through daily routines. They are reminded to wash their hands are certain times throughout the day, using their own hand towel to dry them to prevent germs being spread. They enjoy healthy snacks such as oranges and apples and are provided with access to drinks at all times so they don't become thirsty. Children are made aware of the emergency evacuation procedures, but have not had an opportunity to practise this in the new setting to ensure they are fully confident. 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 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as detailed in the early years section of the report (CR8 Documentation) 11/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as detailed in the early years section of the report (CR8 Documentation) 11/02/2011

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