Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256758 Inspection date 15/02/2011 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in Abbeymead, Gloucester. The ground floor of the property is registered for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play. 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 full or part-time basis. She currently has six children on roll on a part-time basis, three 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers children a welcoming environment in which to play. They make satisfactory progress overall, although assessment and planning systems require attention. She provides a generally inclusive environment but has limited resources to reflect the diversity. She meets children?s welfare needs, although she has not considered extending risk assessments to include pets. She has positive working relationships with parents and suitable partnerships with other providers. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice, but misses some areas for development. Overall, however, she demonstrates an appropriate commitment to improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessments to include everything with which a child may come into contact, with particular regard to household pets  improve systems for tracking children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities  improve the opportunities for children to develop an understanding of ethnicity and disability  develop procedures for self-evaluation through reflective practice in order to identify priorities for improving 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

The childminder has a secure understanding of how to safeguard the children. She is aware of her responsibilities to take action and act on any concerns she may have. The childminder has conducted required risk assessments for her home and its environment as well as for outings. She is able to highlight possible hazards and identify risks to children. The family has a new pet dog and the childminder is careful to ensure that children do not have unsupervised contact with it. However, the risk that the pet may pose within the home is not noted within written risk assessments. The childminder practises fire evacuation with the children and discusses this with them to enhance their own understanding of safety. Medical records, accident records and the daily register of children's attendance are all appropriately completed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed an evaluation of her provision and has identified some positive areas of her practice but has missed some areas for development. The recommendation since the last inspection has been addressed to improve children's safety and welfare. The childminder has changed her procedures to include the accurate recording of children?s arrival and departure times. The childminder understands the importance of developing effective relationships with other providers. She shares information with the schools that the older children attend appropriately. The childminder works well in partnership with parents, who are actively encouraged to share what they know about their child at admission. This helps her meet children?s individual needs appropriately. The childminder keeps parents informed about her provision through a range of methods, such as providing access to copies of written policies, informal

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the early years provision

discussions about their children?s day as well as providing information through daily diaries. The childminder deploys her resources sufficiently well to support children's growing independence. They have access to all the necessary facilities in the home and make choices in their learning as they select toys for play. The childminder offers the children suitable support so that they are happy, secure and receptive to new experiences. Sensitive guidance teaches the children how to behave acceptably and helps them to understand right from wrong. Children learn about their own beliefs through hands-on experiences such as celebrating festivals, for example, Christmas. However, resources which depict people's similarities and differences, such as ethnicity and disability, are limited, which restricts children in learning about these. A range of toys and resources are made available to children and these are stored in boxes labelled with words and pictures to enable children

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the early years provision

to have an understanding of what is inside. 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 settled and secure whilst in the care of the childminder. The childminder happily plays games with the children. For example, she sits on the floor and encourages children to solve problems, such as setting up the trainset so that the train can move freely round the track. Children often sit on her knee for cuddles whilst looking at pictures in a book. Children chat happily to the childminder and include her in their conversations, showing their sense of security. Children have access to the outdoor play area on a daily basis and inside have access all play areas where they can move freely from room to room. They easily access the age and developmentally appropriate resources which are provided for them. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She has a clear understanding of children's starting points. She knows their interests, likes and dislikes. Observations and assessment are carried out

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and outcomes for children

regularly; however, procedures to track these against the expectations of the early learning goals and clearly identify children?s learning priorities are not in place. Nevertheless, children are making suitable progress in their learning and development. They are provided with a range of activities outside of the home which include attending childminding support groups, walking to the shops, library and visits to local parks. Overall, activities cover all six areas of learning. Children learn about healthy lifestyles appropriately. They often play outdoors and regularly take part in exercise. Children understand the need to wear suitable attire such as coats and hats when playing outdoors on cold days. The childminder promotes healthy eating regimes. Children happily eat healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and bread sticks. Currently all parents provide food for snack and main meal times. The childminder discusses healthy and nutritious options with them, so

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and outcomes for children

children's individual needs are met. Children learn about their own hygiene from a young age. For example, consistent routines, such as hand washing before meals and after toileting, teach children the importance of personal hygiene. They also learn about keeping themselves safe, such as road safety. Children behave well and display respect for one another as they play. They are encouraged to share and take turns. Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have sufficient space to play. The childminder implements suitable procedures for nappy changing, to ensure the personal care needs of the very young are also met. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. 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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