Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 506676 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and ten years in a three-bedroom, detached house in Wymans Brook on the outskirts of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The whole house and back garden are registered for childminding and children play on the ground floor and in the open front garden. They use upstairs, bathroom facilities. The family has two dogs, a cat, two rabbits, snails and indoor fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, including three in the early years age group. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to offer childcare before, during and after school and in school holidays. There are currently five children on roll aged from one to five years on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also cares for older children and children over eight years of age. Overnight care is offered for one child under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

Local amenities include shops, school, parent-and-toddler groups, playgroups, library and a local park. The childminder takes and collects children to and from a playgroup and Swindon Village Primary School. The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group. She is an accredited childminder, a member of an approved childminding network and is registered to be in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds. The childminder is member of the Gloucestershire Quality Improvement Network at Gold Plus Tier level.

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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 happy, have fun and enjoy close bonds with the childminder. Their health, safety and welfare are promoted successfully through good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and, overall, well implemented policies and procedures. Children are progressing well through good knowledge of their individual needs, purposeful planning and many accessible resources. Parents are fully supported to be included in, and contribute to, their children's care and learning. The conscientious childminder is highly reflective, ensuring systems for self-evaluation are inclusive and secure in driving the quality of the provision forward. She promptly identifies many key areas for improvement that promote positive outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  review all policies so these fully match the childminding practice  extend children's access to natural materials to increase opportunities for their independent learning.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded in the childminder's care. She works to detailed written policies and procedures, most of which accurately reflect her daily practice with the children. She has conducted comprehensive risk assessments on her home, garden and for all outings taken with the children. These are all shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed about the setting. All other required documentation is in place to meet all the needs of the children and to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder has a secure, up- to-date knowledge of child protection issues and is well aware of procedures to follow if she has a concern about any child.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and makes effective use of the space within her home. Children move freely around the ground floor rooms, depending on which activities they choose to take part in. There is a dedicated playroom in which a good range of quality toys and resources is stored to give children choices that are suitable for their stage of learning. The childminder displays much of the children's art work which gives them a sense of belonging and values what they do.

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the early years provision

Highly positive relationships are developed with all parents and carers. Families are always consulted on key matters through well-established, inclusive procedures that include observation folders, diaries and questionnaires. Parents are very well informed about all aspects of their own children's achievement, well-being and development. The childminder offers clear guidance about ways parents may support their children's learning so that all families contribute to their children's learning records and are strongly engaged with the childminder's work. The childminder clearly understands the importance of working with other providers in contact with the children. With parents' permission, she makes the children's records available and discusses any concerns with the providers she meets.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to improving her knowledge and practice, for example, through accreditation and considerable training that she enthusiastically shares with other providers. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been, overall, well addressed, showing a commitment to continuous improvement. The childminder uses ongoing, reflective practice to help her to identify areas for improvement and has an action plan to develop children's independent access to outdoor play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in all areas of their learning. This is because the childminder has a clear knowledge of their general starting points, gained through discussion with parents. Children enjoy activities and experiences which meet their needs, engage their interests and encourage the development of skills for the future. For example, children choose to look at books, learn about technology using a laptop and battery toys and are absorbed in play with 'gloop' that they help to prepare. They experiment with natural materials as the childminder makes these available. Close observation means that children's progress is effectively assessed and monitored while detailed next steps ensure that planning is purposeful for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inquisitive and keen to learn, demonstrating good levels of concentration for their stages and gaining a strong sense of personal achievement when goals are reached. Activities, such as painting, drawing and experimenting with glue, help children to mark-make in an enjoyable way whilst the free-and- easy conversation increases vocabulary and confidence. Everyday activities, such as solving jigsaw puzzles or sorting toy furniture, farm animals and cars, promote children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Good use of the outdoor environment means that children frequently explore the natural world and the local environment. Visits to nearby facilities provide them with opportunities to use larger play equipment and further develop their physical skills. Children enjoy role play, confidently copying what adults do and express their creativity through a variety of seasonal craft activities.

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and outcomes for children

All children show an extremely strong sense of security and belonging with the childminder. They seek her out for reassurance when needed and learn how to keep themselves safe as they play. For example, children learn how to use table knives safely and what to do in an emergency situation, such as a fire. They develop a good understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle as good hygiene practices, such as effective hand-washing procedures, are implemented and they routinely walk to school and exercise the dogs. Growing fruit and vegetables on the childminder's allotment contributes to their understanding about healthy foods.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are confident, settle well and develop excellent relationships at every level with adults and their peers. They frequently socialise as they visit other children's settings and form strong friendships with the childminder's family. Older children are caring towards others, including younger children in their play. Children's behaviour is exemplary and they begin to show an excellent awareness of responsibility within the setting, for example, setting the table for meals. They are particularly well mannered as the childminder has high expectations and sets a very good example herself. They make positive choices about their activities as the childminder takes all the time that is needed to listen to their ideas and develop their interests. 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 1 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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