Childminder in PlymouthOfsted inspection, 22 Mar 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348943 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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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 in a four bedroomed house in Plympton, Devon. She lives with her husband and three children, one of whom is primary school aged. The childminder is registered Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for up to five children under the age of eight, of whom three may be in the early years age range. At times the childminder may use an assistant, and can increase the number of children cared for to a maximum of eight under eight years. Currently she cares for six children in the early years age range, and also provides care for children aged over five years. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for two children.

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Description of the childminding

Childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor although children may sleep upstairs. The house has a secure rear garden which is used for outdoor play. The family have two pet guinea pigs and some fish. The house is in walking distance of schools, pre-schools and parks.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making very rapid progress in their learning and development. They are highly motivated, confident and independent learners. The childminder is highly skilled in promoting a fully inclusive environment where all children flourish and thrive. Highly effective partnerships are developed with parents to ensure childrens uniqueness is valued and their individual needs are effectively met. The childminder continually reflects on her practice using extremely effective methods enabling her to provide high-quality outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 providing more opportunities for children to spontanously mark make.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder places high emphasis on safety. Extremely detailed risk assessments ensure that children freely move around the environment safely. Outings are assessed prior to children going on them promoting their safety. The childminder has attended a wealth of training increasing her knowledge of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 framework. She has detailed policies and procedures which are shared with parents to ensure they are aware of her role in keeping children safe. Her knowledge of safeguarding with regard to welfare concerns is excellent. The childminder employs several assistants and ensures that evidence of their suitability is in place.

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the early years provision

An extensive and high-quality range of resources are available. Children are fully involved in planning ensuring that activities and play opportunities reflect their interests and abilities. The resources are generally easily accessible; however, children do not always have spontaneous opportunities to mark make. The childminder is extremely proactive in ensuring a fully inclusive environment. She is exceptionally well organised ensuring that activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of children while providing effective challenges.

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the early years provision

Highly effective systems are used to monitor and evaluate. The Ofsted self- evaluation form has been used extremely well to critically evaluate all aspects of the provision. Parents, children and assistants are fully involved in reviewing and reflecting the practice ensuring outstanding outcomes for children. The childminder is extremely motivated and keen to extend her already extensive knowledge. She attends numerous training opportunities and uses the information gathered to improve her excellent practice. For example, using different props to actively promote children's language development.

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the early years provision

Extremely positive relationships are fostered between the childminder and parents and carers. She provides them with comprehensive and detailed information about her service and how they can be involved in the setting and their child's learning and development. Ongoing newsletters ensure that they know in advance what their children are going to be doing. Parents regularly have the opportunities to view their children's developmental files and every observation is presented to them, enabling them to be involved in their child's next steps. Parents' comment on their questionnaires the childminder provides a 'happy, educational, creative and a fun environment', the communication book is a 'great asset'; we are 'very impressed and reassured that our children have a great bond with the childminder and their experience is very positive'. Highly effective relationships are built between the childminder and other early years professionals and providers. This

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the early years provision

enables all children to reach their full potential regardless of their age and stage of ability.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen to participate in extensive range of activities and play opportunities provided. They actively seek out new experiences because the childminder enables them to feel confident to try out new skills. For example, children learn about life cycles because the childminder provided them with a stick insect eggs. They actively compare the size of the eggs to other objects such as a one penny piece and a leaf. They learn how to nurture the eggs and successfully hatch some of them. Children delight in talking to a visiting adult about all the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities and play opportunities they participate in. They excitedly show the adult their learning journeys talking about the photographs, who are in them and what they are doing. Children's language is developing exceptionally well. They benefit from the constant interaction from the childminder encouraging them to develop

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and outcomes for children

their own ideas and supporting their language development. Children excitedly use water pens to make marks. They draw various shapes such as circles. A child says 'ready steady' before making marks on the mat. The childminder introduces new words such as 'splodge'; the child continues 'ready, steady, splodge' giggling with their peers and the childminder. They confidently count the numbers around the mat. A child draws at circle and another child immediately says 'Look it is a circle'. They continue drawing letters connected to their names and confidently tell the childminder what they are. Children participate in exciting and stimulating activities enhancing their learning. For example, children explore coloured rice using measuring spoons in containers, they make models using maize, make cakes and biscuits taking into account individual children's allergies and preferences. Children have excellent opportunities to explore their environment both within the home,

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and outcomes for children

garden and outings in the local community. They benefit from socialising with other children on visits to the local airport where they explored the fire station learning how to use the equipment. Children attend the child minding group with the childminder learning about people with disabilities through a visit from the 'Hearing dogs'.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder being extremely enthusiastic and well- organised in her observations and assessments. Regular discussions with parents ensures that she has an up-to-date knowledge of their development. All of this information is used to effectively plan the next steps in children's development. The children's learning journeys provide an excellent and detailed record of their progress. As a result children make very rapid progress in all areas of their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. They learn how food grows by planting broad beans. They pick pears from the tree in the garden before preparing them for snack and taking some home to share with their families. Children physical skills are effectively catered for. They visit the local park and soft play areas to provide different opportunities to extend their development and try new skills. Children quickly learn about safety because the childminder gives clear explanations. She ensures the environment is safe to enable them to move around. They practice the evacuation procedures regularly to ensure that all children are familiar with what to do in an emergency. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show consideration to their peers sharing and being considerate. They are polite and extremely well mannered. Children benefit from the childminder having high expectations which enables them to be confident, secure

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and outcomes for children

and their self-esteem is well fostered. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about and value differences. They celebrate a wide range of festivals throughout the year including Australia Day, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Easter. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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