Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY266606 Inspection date 18/02/2011 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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 2003. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two year old daughter in Sparcells, a district of Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, of these two are within the early years age range, all children attend on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. There is one pet rabbit on the premises.

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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 are happy and settled whilst in the care of this childminder. They have access to a sound range of resources which they are actively involved in. The childminder provides the children with suitable experiences that promote their welfare, learning and development effectively. She offers an inclusive setting, meeting the individual needs of children well. The systems for self- evaluation are not yet sufficiently robust to ensure that gaps in the provision are identified which means that the capacity for continuous improvement is inhibited.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments cover all areas used by the children and take appropriate action to make these areas safe with particular regards to maintaining children's safety to the second floor (safeguarding) (also allpies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 18/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop records of children's development so that they are up to date and cover all areas of learning equally in order to provide a clear picture of progress to share with parents. 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 a sound understanding of her role to safeguard children; she has suitable knowledge to act in the children's best interest in the event of a concern. Most risk assessment procedures are in place, however, the childminder has breached the requirements in relation to the home assessments as these do not fully take account of all areas that the children have access to, for example the stairs, which as a result poses a risk to the health and safety of the children attending. Regardless of this the children are not in immediate danger as the childminder supervises the children consistently, which as a result maintains their safety overall.

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the early years provision

There is sufficient documentation such as registers, consents and children's details in place to promote the welfare of the children. Policies and procedures are discussed with parents before placements commence providing them with an overview of what to expect with regard to the business and care arrangements. This all contributes to children being appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has not yet developed robust systems to reflect her practice, although she is aware of weaknesses in the provision with regard to her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes suitable steps to maintain sustainability within her resources. These are used satisfactorily overall to aid the children's learning and development. The childminder has reasonable systems in place to promote diversity. She uses her knowledge well to inform planning and to ensure that all children are included and valued. She has a positive attitude to including and meeting all the children's needs. The childminder has a suitable range of resources which supports children's understanding of their own and other people's cultures.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes acceptable relationships with all parents and other settings which children attend. She welcomes all families to her setting and takes time to find out from parents about children's favourite activities and interests. She provides parents with daily diaries, children's scrapbooks and frequent discussions so that they have clear information about their children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy being in this childminder's company. They move confidently around her home, happily choosing what they want to do from the sound range of safe and suitable toys and resources on offer. These match children's individual levels of development well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is mindful not to over direct the children's play but is led very much by their responses to activities and resources. This is evident when the child picks up the tea set and then changes their mind to play with the bricks. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder joins in with the child's play pointing out the different colours and numbers on the blocks, they construct small towers and the childminder promotes the child's new skill of counting the bricks as they go up. The childminder promotes herself as a positive role model extending children's early vocabulary, mathematical and language skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore electronic and battery operated toys such as musical toys and balls. They use their imagination skills well as they dance to the music. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted further as they develop their skill of how things work, through problem solving as they attempt to get the ball to play the same tune again.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well, she is aware of their capabilities and is confident in her methods to promote children's development across the six areas of learning. However, the assessment system is not fully in place and lacks effectiveness as it is not individual and does not track children's progress against the early learning goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means that the childminder cannot be certain that all aspects of children's learning are effectively covered. Despite this, children experience each of the six areas of learning regularly whilst in the childminder's care both inside and out of doors.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well and receive gentle reminders to enforce positive behaviour. The childminder sets clear boundaries that children understand. They know, for example, that they must share and apologise well to each other when this is forgotten. Children progress well in learning about healthy living. They benefit from regular fresh air and exercise. They understand the basics of how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder follows her hygiene policy and is careful to wash her hands regularly, using antibacterial spray frequently. She maintains a clean home and keeps toys and equipment in a hygienic condition, which all contribute to a healthy lifestyle. 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: 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 specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding) 18/03/2011

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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 specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding) 18/03/2011

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