Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348193 Inspection date 17/03/2011 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and their two school-aged children in a rural location close to Durrington in Wiltshire. She uses the ground floor of her house for childminding and has a large enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under the age of eight; of these three may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll; of these, two are in these are in the early years age range. All but one of the children attend on a part-time basis. The family has a pet dog, chickens, ducks and some pigs.

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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

This very enthusiastic and experienced childminder routinely ensures that the learning and welfare needs of all children are met. She works closely with parents and other early years professionals, and keeps good observation records. The childminder welcomes and values all children regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. The children are progressing appropriately in their learning through the wide range of interesting activities and the inviting environment she offers. There are some minor weaknesses in the documentation that the childminder is required to keep. The childminder has put good processes in place to evaluate and assess the quality of the provision she offers, therefore demonstrating a good capacity for future improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 31/03/2011

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further?

 keep an accurate record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 31/03/2011

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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  develop ways to share children's progress with other settings that they attend.

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the early years provision

Most of the records, policies and procedures that are necessary for he safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage and to ensure the children's needs are met are well kept. However, the records of the risk assessments have not been reviewed, signed and dated and the record of the children's attendance is not accurately kept, which are partial breaches of specific welfare requirements. The childminder has good procedures in place that she would use if she has any child protection concerns; the children's safety and well- being are her highest priority. The childminder and her husband have been appropriately vetted; she ensures that any unvetted adults do not have unsupervised access to the children.

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the early years provision

The children play in a very welcoming and child-centred environment. The childminder has ensured her home and garden are safe and she has identified and minimised potential hazards. There is a wide range of age appropriate resources available, which are stored in well-labelled boxes and baskets and can be easily accessed by the children so that they can be independent and chose what they wish to play with.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that all children are welcomed into the setting and promotes inclusive practice well. Children learn about diversity through the range of resources and experiences provided. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and keeps them well informed. Parents are given a policy pack containing all the relevant policies and procedures, they use a daily diary and use text messages during the day. The childminder is beginning to share information with the pre-school that the children have just started to attend. She understands the importance of working with any other services that children use to promote the integration of their care and education.

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the early years provision

The childminder seeks feedback from parents and the children in her care and uses it as part of her self-evaluation. She has meets with other childminders when they discuss practice issues and she attends training events to further enhance her skills and understanding. She has used self-evaluation to identify targets for future improvement. For example, she plans to attend more training and develop the range of toys provided for exploration.

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and outcomes for children

The children appear settled, happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They take part in many interesting activities that encourage their learning and enjoy exploring the good range of toys that are offered. The children are able to access This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the large garden, where there a many resources such as challenging climbing equipment that the children enjoy. They can use the trampoline which the childminder has sunk into her garden to prevent the children from having accidents. The children have fun using these resources to develop their physical skills. In a part of the garden the childminder keeps ducks, chickens and pigs; the children enjoy feeding the animals and collecting the eggs. Children also plant fruits and vegetables and watch them grow. These activities are planned to help the children learn about the natural world. The childminder takes the children out

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and outcomes for children

and about; they often go for walks locally. They attend toddler and childminding groups, which provide opportunities for the children to learn to interact with other adults and children, and develop their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is observing and assessing the children's progress very well, using attractively kept 'learning journeys'. These are well linked to the early learning goals so that the childminder can be sure she promotes all of the areas of learning. They show what the childminder plans to do next for each child's next step in their learning. Parents add to these observations on a regular basis what they know about their children's learning at home.

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and outcomes for children

The children are beginning to learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They have very good opportunities for fresh air and exercise; they can play football and ball games or use wheeled toys in a fenced off area of the garden with a safety surface. They are learning good hygiene routines and the childminder makes sure they can easily access regular drinks. Parents provide most meals and snacks, but they discuss healthy eating in activities such as growing strawberries and making fruit kebabs. The children can rest and sleep according to their own routines. The childminder has all the necessary documentation to record appropriately any accidents to the children or any medicines that she may administer.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is helping the children learn to keep themselves safe; they explore road safety when they are out walking, they take part in regular fire evacuation practises, and know they must help tidy up the toys so that they don't fall over them. Through the good resources they use, such as a very good selection of small world figures, and some of the activities they take part in, the children are learning to value diversity and about the wider world. The childminder expects them to behave well and consider the needs of others. Pictorial behaviour rules are displayed. The children's communication skills are encouraged. The childminder talks constantly with the children and asks questions that are aimed at making them think. All of the children, and the childminder, are learning sign language as an additional means of communication between one another. There are electronic toys in the playroom and a computer that the older children can use. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder is effectively helping the children to develop the habits of good learners and skills they will need in the future. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 31/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 31/03/2011

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