Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 161638 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Karen Prager

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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 1996. She lives with her partner and two children aged 12 and 14 years on the edge of Calne, Wiltshire. Shops, parks and schools are within walking distance. The whole of the house may be used for childminding, though in practice children spend the majority of their time downstairs. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family keeps tropical fish and there is a fish pond in the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. She currently has six children on roll, including four children in the early eyars age range. The registration does not include overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the Calne childminding group and the National Childminding Association. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 good progress as they take part in interesting and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. They are happy and settled and demonstrate an extremely strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are known and met. Children's safety is afforded a high priority and effective partnerships are in place with their parents and some links have been built with others involved in their care and education. The childminder is fully committed to providing the best for the children in her care and keen to develop best practice, showing a good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve partnership links with other provisions, delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and attended by children to ensure consistency of care and to extend and support children's ongoing learning  further improve outcomes by developing systems to monitor and plan for children's ongoing learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded extremely well. The childminder has recently attended safeguarding training and has up-to-date knowledge of the procedures for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate agencies. A clear safeguarding policy supports her practice. Risk assessment records are thorough and any potential risks to children are effectively identified and promptly minimised. For example, the childminder has ensured that the pond is fenced and covered to ensure that hazards associated with water are reduced. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents to effectively promote good quality childcare practice. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or significant events. The childminder extends her knowledge through training courses and advice sought from the local childminding development officer. She is strongly motivated to seek further improvement. She has regularly reviews and

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the early years provision

evaluates her service and has recently completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She has a sound awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and has identified some priorities for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an enthusiastic and experienced childcare provider and children flourish in her care. The well-organised and welcoming environment that she provides creates an atmosphere that is conducive to both learning and having fun. Children have sufficient space to play and rest. Resources are plentiful and a good selection is easily accessible to all children. Children concentrate as they play the drum and xylophone. The childminder develops this activity by introducing songs and they enthusiastically play 'sleeping bunnies' and sing a song about thunder. This helps children to know where things are kept and encourages them to make some independent choices about their play and learning. There is an enclosed garden easily accessible from the childminder's home which is used for most of the year, and children visit the local park on a regular basis. She attends community groups with the children and this enhances their social skills and range of

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met effectively because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She has formed good relationships with parents and regularly exchanges information about their children's welfare and development. Notice boards, daily diaries and 'Learning Journeys' provide them with lots of additional information about her service and children's experiences. Parents are actively encouraged to share what they know about their children and the childminder thoughtfully uses their comments to plan suitable experiences. The childminder has also built some links with other settings involved in the care and education of the children in her care. However, these relationships are not yet fully developed with all the settings attended by children to ensure consistency of care and to extend and support children's ongoing learning. 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 safeguarded extremely well. The childminder has recently attended safeguarding training and has up-to-date knowledge of the procedures for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate agencies. A clear safeguarding policy supports her practice. Risk assessment records are thorough and any potential risks to children are effectively identified and promptly minimised. For example, the childminder has ensured that the pond is fenced and covered to ensure that hazards associated with water are reduced. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents to effectively promote good quality childcare practice. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or significant events. The childminder extends her knowledge through training courses and advice sought from the local childminding development officer. She is strongly motivated to seek further improvement. She has regularly reviews and

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and outcomes for children

evaluates her service and has recently completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She has a sound awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and has identified some priorities for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an enthusiastic and experienced childcare provider and children flourish in her care. The well-organised and welcoming environment that she provides creates an atmosphere that is conducive to both learning and having fun. Children have sufficient space to play and rest. Resources are plentiful and a good selection is easily accessible to all children. Children concentrate as they play the drum and xylophone. The childminder develops this activity by introducing songs and they enthusiastically play 'sleeping bunnies' and sing a song about thunder. This helps children to know where things are kept and encourages them to make some independent choices about their play and learning. There is an enclosed garden easily accessible from the childminder's home which is used for most of the year, and children visit the local park on a regular basis. She attends community groups with the children and this enhances their social skills and range of

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual needs are known and met effectively because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She has formed good relationships with parents and regularly exchanges information about their children's welfare and development. Notice boards, daily diaries and 'Learning Journeys' provide them with lots of additional information about her service and children's experiences. Parents are actively encouraged to share what they know about their children and the childminder thoughtfully uses their comments to plan suitable experiences. The childminder has also built some links with other settings involved in the care and education of the children in her care. However these relationships are not yet fully developed with all the settings attended by children to ensure consistency of care and to extend and support children's ongoing learning. 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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