Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340997 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Sara Frost

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children aged six and 10 years. They live in a terraced house in a residential area of Bideford. The whole of the childminder's home with the exception of the childminder's own bedroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden suitable for outside play. The family have five pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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 are clearly happy and content the childminder's care as they comfortably say goodbye to their parents with ease. They clearly enjoy the range of activities and playthings that are provided in the dedicated playroom. The childminder has developed a good working relationship with parents to ensure constant care is provided and each individual child's needs continue to be met. The required documentation is mostly in place. The recommendation raised at the childminder's previous inspection is now incorporated into her daily routine. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and has identified aspects she wishes to develop to improve the childminding services she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to show and aid reflection with regards to own practice and incorporate views from others  develop documentation to clearly show parental consent is obtained before administering any unprescribed medication.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as all adults in the household have undertaken relevant checks and visitors identification details are checked prior to being allowed to enter the home. The childminder's sound understanding of and the processes to follow This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 should she have any child protection concerns ensure children are further protected. Appropriate risk assessments are in place to ensure children are kept safe within the childminder's home and when out. Children are well protected in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and good systems are in place to help her respond in an emergency. Accidents are fully recorded and information shared with parents and countersigned by them ensures they are kept fully informed. Clear documentation and consents are fully in place for administering prescribed medication although a recent request to administer a

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the early years provision

The well resourced dedicated playroom provides children with an interesting range of resources and playthings which are easily accessible allows children to make their own choices of play; and provides opportunities for children to learn about the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to her professional development and practice. Since her last inspection the childminder has completed a National Vocational Qualification level 3 (NVQ3). The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and has identified areas she wishes to develop further, such as becoming accredited. She acts upon advice offered and although has begun to reflect on her practice, she has yet to develop this further by involving the views of those who use her provision. The recommendation raised at the childminder's last inspection has been addressed and further developed as part of the daily checks undertaken to ensure children's safety is maintained.

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the early years provision

The informative two-way information shared with parents both verbally and through daily diaries maintains continuity in care and ensures children's individual needs are well met. Learning journals are used to observe and assess children's progress and are shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy visiting the childminder's homely environment as they eagerly enter her home. Children predominantly play in the childminder's dedicated playroom which is brightly decorated with various posters. The range of accessible resources and interesting playthings provides an enticing and welcoming environment. Children become fully engaged in appealing activities as the childminder plans the day around their individual interests. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children develop and learn and uses her observation records to track children's progress and identify areas where further support is needed. Children confidently use signs to enhance their communication skills, their language skills are further promoted as the childminder confidently chats away, and provides activities that extend their range of vocabulary. The use of puppets enables children to follow and take part as they

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and outcomes for children

read stories with the childminder. An item such as a large cardboard box becomes a bus; children really enjoy pushing and pulling each other as they move the bus around the room. This encourages children to develop their imaginative, creative This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and physical skills. Children actively become engaged in the listening game, where they identify sounds and place counters on corresponding pictures, waiting patiently for the sound of the motor bike engine. Children are beginning to learn to share items and take turns, this helps develop important social skills for the future. Small world resources, books, puzzles and various celebrations are used to broaden children's awareness of the wider world. Children behave well and respond to the childminder's constant praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to benefit from fresh air and exercise as they regularly walk to and from school, visit parks, walk along the 'tarka trail', or play in the childminder's garden. They learn how to keep themselves safe whilst out and about as they are introduced to road safety practices. Children are provided with lots of opportunities to socialise with others and develop an awareness of the local community as they attend various groups in the area. Children are provided with healthy snacks and regular access to fluids which ensures they remain fully hydrated. Parents mainly provide their child's meals; information shared by the childminder clearly keeps them fully informed of their child's eating habits throughout the day. 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 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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