Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY278683 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Bridget Cospon

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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 who also works as her assistant and their two children aged 10 and 8 years, in the village of Sampford Peverell, Devon. The whole of the bungalow is used for childminder as well as a fully enclosed garden at the back of the house, for outside play. The family keeps two pet fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group when working alone. This ratio is extended to seven children at any one time, four of whom may be in the early years age group when working with her husband. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group as well as children over five years to 10 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder delivers and collects children from the local schools.

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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's individual needs and routines are met successfully by the childminder. She effectively promotes their health, welfare and safety, although the risk assessments for some outings are not sufficiently detailed. Children are all included equally and see a positive reflection of one another within her home to promote their sense of belonging. Their learning is planned, promoted and monitored according to their interests and stage of development. As a result, children are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder values the importance of continuous development. She has made many improvements to the quality of her provision and has attended many training courses since her last inspection. However, her self-evaluation form is not sufficiently established to identify improvements in all aspects of the provision, especially leadership and management.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessments further for some of the outings children are taken on to ensure all the potential hazards are identified  develop the self evaluation form further to identify areas for improvement in the leadership and management of the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has effective systems in place to assure their safety and well-being. She has a good understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children. Policies, procedures and records are updated regularly and implemented to ensure good standards of health and safety are maintained. In addition, risk assessments are carried out to identify and eliminate potential hazards at home and on outings. However, the assessments for some outings are not sufficiently detailed to ensure all potential hazards are identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of her provision. These include weekly planning and activity reflection, links with the local authority in developing her practice and an Ofsted self-evaluation form. However, the self-evaluation form is not sufficiently established to identify areas for improvement within leadership and management to further improve children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder dedicates her time to observing, interacting with and supporting children to ensure they feel safe and secure and to meet their care routines. Children benefit from a positive environment in which the childminder presents as a calm and patient role model. She supports children in learning about acceptable behaviour through consistent messages and acknowledging their achievements with encouragement and praise. As a result, children behave well and are learning about the needs and feelings of others through sharing, taking turns and helping. Children are also well supported in learning about diversity within their local community as well as in the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established effective partnerships with parents who are provided with comprehensive information to support them in making an informed choice. Parents are kept well informed through daily communication, displays and home books if required. Parents' views are valued and sought through annual questionnaires and contributing to their child's scrap book. The childminder has established effective links with other providers who are involved in children's care and learning for consistency.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good range of activities to promote all areas of their learning and development, which is easily accessible to promote independent play. They benefit from a well-organised and enabling environment which allows them space to play freely in different environments. Children's learning is planned, monitored and promoted well. The childminder completes an observation of each child every half term to assess their interests and stage of development and to identify a next step of learning. To promote their progress, the childminder develops planning each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 week focussing on a specific aspect of learning. This system does not plan each child's learning individually. However, the childminder interacts skilfully to offer challenge and support to each child within their chosen area of play and to ensure all activities are fully inclusive. As a result, children are interested, involved and

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled, moving around the premises with confidence and familiarity. They focus for long periods of time in their chosen activities and explore with curiosity. Children express themselves well. They talk continually in their play, share home news at sociable snack and meal times and ask questions. They are encouraged to think critically, make decisions and recall past event through the childminder's careful questioning. Children have access to a good range of story and reference books, and opportunities to mark make for a purpose. They problem solve in completing puzzles and games, building with constructional equipment and finding out how things work. Children use electronic and programmable toys to develop their understanding of information and communication technology. They also learn about size and shape through exploring and sorting objects. Children are involved within the local community in

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and outcomes for children

which they visit the parks, playgrounds, toddler groups, library and friends. They use their imaginations well with many small world and constructional activities which they combine to extend their play. They also explore different media and materials in creative and sensory activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the childminder's care which they demonstrate through the warm and trusting relationships established. They are supported well in learning about keeping safe through her house rules and guidance, practising the fire evacuation procedure and learning about road safety on walks. Children's health is promoted well within a clean and hygienic environment and the provision of healthy snacks and meals. They learn about good personal hygiene effectively through regular hand washing routines and eating together at the table. Children benefit from activities everyday to promote their physical development and health in the garden, local facilities and walks along the canal. 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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