Childminder in Bristol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276061 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector Tim Butcher

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, nine and 12 years, in the Horfield, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a secure garden area for outside play. There is stepped access to the provision. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time; of these, three may be within the early years age group and of these one may be under one year. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of nine children under eight at any one time; of these, six may be within the early years age group and of these two may be under one year. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for ten children, of these, seven are within the early years age group. The childminder has an NNEB qualification in

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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, settle easily and enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistant. They make satisfactory progress in their learning and development however assessment and planning processes have yet to be effective enough for them to make even greater progress. They have a welcoming, child-friendly and safe environment in which to play. The childminder establishes open lines of communication with parents and carers. The childminder has been caring for more children than her conditions allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. The childminder took action to address the lack of compliance. Ofsted does not intend to take further action on this occasion. The childminder in general demonstrates the capacity to maintain steady and continuous improvement for instance as seen by the provision of a home corner in the playroom.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system of observational assessment to more clearly provide an over-view of children's progress and to more closely identify their next steps in development  develop systems of self evaluation further to form an accurate appraisal of the settings effectiveness so that children receive more challenging learning and development experiences  develop the partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to further promote continuity of care and learning. 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 carries out an adequate written risk assessment of the premises and suitable actions are taken to minimise the risks to children. The childminder and assistant have a sound understanding of their child safeguarding responsibilities and have an adequate awareness of the procedures they would follow should they have a concern. All adults living at the premises have been suitably vetted. The childminder is generally well organised and has the policies and procedures in place to support the safe and smooth running of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity in general as levels of engagement with parents and carers are well established and this results in a good knowledge of each child's background, care needs and preferences. Parents in particular comment very positively about the friendly, stimulating and nurturing environment; and the flexibility of the childminder. There is a regular exchange of information with parents through discussion and through a daily diary. This provides suitable continuity of care for children. A learning profile provides parents with useful information about their children's achievements and general progress. The childminder has begun to establish partnerships with other settings who also provide care to the children that she minds and intends to develop this further.

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the early years provision

Resources are sound, fit for purpose and able to support children's all round development. They are used well to achieve some although not all of the planned goals in learning and development. Children have easy access to a good range of resources and are able to exercise choice. They are able to choose from a resource picture book those toy resources that they wish to have taken out. The childminder uses the space well and provides some creatively presented activities for children. Outcomes for children are currently satisfactory and improving. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice although this has yet to be comprehensive and systematic. She has successfully made improvements in the playroom to provide greater opportunities for children to engage in imaginative play. The development of assessment and planning documentation is work in progress and there are plans to develop the outside area further. The recommendation from the last inspection

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistant together have a good knowledge of child development; and a secure and growing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Accurate observations of children are made and an individual learning profile for each child is used to record their progress. Sometimes the analysis and plan for children's next steps in development, is not always rigorous enough; and this prevents children from making more significant progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder has introduced new documentation and in tends to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 develop the systems of analysis further.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the warm interactions with the childminder and her assistant. They suitably enjoy and achieve because the adults are focused on children's needs and they provide skilful interactions. They enjoy a suitable range of activities that generally match their abilities, some of which are very creatively presented to capture their imaginations and interest. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and show this through the relaxed way they go about their play. They are happy and content and build strong relationships with the adults and with other children. Children are valued and are able to contribute positively within the setting. The adults keep up a conversation with children to stimulate their responses and develop their communication skills. They support play well and make opportunities to prompt children to name and to count. Children like to sit cosily with adults to have a story read to them. They are asked to predict what

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and outcomes for children

might happen and are encouraged to express how the characters might be feeling. As a result they grow in confidence in speaking in the group and learn to express their emotions. Children have suitable opportunities to make marks and to be creative for instance when painting cards for the celebration of St David's day where they talk about the colour orange and have first hand experiences of a real daffodil to touch and to smell. Some opportunities exist for children to use information and communication technology. Some activities are very creatively presented such as those that followed a recent topic on space. Overall children secure the skills they require in order to progress their future learning. Children play in a child-friendly environment that is kept free from potential hazards. The childminder and her assistant are alert and provide simple and positive explanations about being safe, for example, by reminding children about sitting up

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and outcomes for children

to the table safely . Children show they feel safe and secure by their responses and through their body language. They explore their surroundings with confidence and with excitement such as in the home corner and when dressing up as health workers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well organised to meet the individual needs of children. They benefit from the secure routines and individual care. Children's health, physical and dietary needs are well met. Children engage in a suitable range of physical activities both indoors and outside. Overall children are increasing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They adopt good personal hygiene routines because they are skilfully supported to do so by the adults around them. 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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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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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