Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 506695 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Ruth Tharme

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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 lives in a semi-detached, two-bedroom house in Down Hatherley, near Gloucester. She shares her home with her husband and two children, aged 16 and 10 years. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden, for outside play, that has both paved and grassed areas. Local amenities, which are accessed by car, include a playgroup, a park, a school and childminder drop-in groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder first registered in 2001 and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register and may provide care for six children under eight at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She provides daily and after-school care, as well as holiday care, and currently minds six children during the week, two of these are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 make sound progress in their learning and development as they willingly take part in an appropriate range of activities and experiences whilst in the childminder's care. Their health and well being are, in general, suitably promoted through appropriately implemented policies and procedures. Basic links with parents and other professionals involved in children's care help to ensure that some relevant information is shared. There is some capacity for improvement as some of the strengths and weaknesses in the provision are identified and addressed appropriately.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the organisation of meal times to promote a more inclusive environment  build on links with parents and other professionals so that they are able to contribute to and regularly share assessment records  provide regular opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of information and communication technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are sufficiently robust. Policies and procedures are appropriate and the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the issues. She identifies dangers and takes appropriate steps to eliminate risks. For example, recent building work has been suitably managed so children are not put at risk.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans her use of time appropriately. She enables children to follow individual routines and to make decisions for themselves about activities. They can access toys for themselves are they are suitably presented within reach. Steps are taken to ensure that resources are sustainable. The childminder uses the toy library and uses recyclable materials to support children's play and learning.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is suitably promoted in general. However, the organization of some activities, such as meal times, does not always ensure that experiences are fully inclusive.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is generally sound. They are suitably informed as documentation is shared and policies are available for them to read. The childminder is pro-active in establishing links with other professionals involved in children's care. Basic information is shared regularly with playgroup and school staff when children attend other settings. But, links with parents and these other settings do not yet extend to sharing information on children's progress towards the early learning goals or enabling them to contribute to the assessments.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving the quality of her provision. She has completed some additional training to improve her knowledge and skills. Basic self- evaluation strategies identify the strengths of the provision and highlight some areas for improvement. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been appropriately addressed to improve outcomes for children. For example, children now have access to a wider range of construction toys and materials.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress is generally sound so they mostly gain the skills they need for the future. Newly implemented systems for the assessment of progress form a generally secure basis for future planning. But, assessments are not yet fully comprehensive as parents and other professionals involved in children's care are not yet contributing to these. The childminder takes account of children's interests which means that they enjoy the activities on offer. They speak positively about activities such as painting, outdoor play and craft activities, but children's opportunities to develop their knowledge of information and communication technology are limited by a lack of relevant resources. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children feel secure in the childminder's care. They share a warm and affectionate relationship. Appropriately implemented precautions such as the use of car safety

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and outcomes for children

seats and holding hands on the walk to school help children to learn to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Regular time spent out of doors and opportunities for physical activity help to keep children healthy. Snacks and drinks are mostly healthy so children's diets are generally well balanced. They learn sound hygiene practices through suitably implemented policies and routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally behave appropriately. They take on simple responsibilities such as tidying toys and taking turns with younger children. Daily use of books and toys that present positive images help develop children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community. 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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