Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414323 Inspection date 04/04/2011 Inspector Dawn Biggers

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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 2010. He lives with his wife, and child age three years old in Plymouth, Devon. Most areas of the property are used for childminding. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early year's age range and of these one may be under one year. The childminder is currently caring for three children within the early year's age group. He also cares for children over five years. When working with an assistant he is registered to care for a maximum of nine children under eight years at any one time; of these, five may be within the early year's age group and of these two may be under one year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses a vehicle to go to local schools to take and collect children. He attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park and library various daily trips.

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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 are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. They make satisfactory progress in their learning and development and have their individual needs appropriately met. However, assessments of children and aspects of safeguarding require further development to meet the individual needs of all children. Children have a generally safe and homely environment in which to play. The childminder has begun to evaluate aspects of the provision and demonstrates the capacity to maintain steady and continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system of observational assessment and planning to provide a clearer over-view of children's progress and to more closely identify their next steps in development  make sure that all existing injuries are recorded to protect children within the safeguarding procedures  improve risk assessments further to include risks associated for outings and ensure the fire evacuation procedures are practised with children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding children and has knowledge of what to do in the event of a child protection concern. He discusses this with the parents; however he has not recorded existing injuries and therefore this does not effectively safeguard all children within his care and implemented policies and procedures. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, as the childminder acts as a role model, for example, making them aware of hazards such as the oven being hot. He discusses road safety using appropriate equipment for all ages such as a pushchair and car seats. The childminder has a clearly displayed evacuation procedure; however, fire drills are not practiced with the children so they are unclear of what to do in an emergency. The childminder has completed appropriate risk assessments within the home and for school runs, transport and walking, which are reviewed in providing a generally safe environment. Although,

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the early years provision

these are not specific to all outings in ensuring all risks are identified for children whilst outside the home. The childminders secure door bell entrance system to the garden, ensures the premises is monitored well. The outdoor area floor surfacing enables children to use this safely and in all weathers, as artificial grass has been laid. Daily checks and permission from parents, alongside the house rules, ensure children are generally kept safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder is organized and plans flexibly within the routine, he displays resources prior to children's arrival to ensure they settle and confidently leave their parents. Children have access to a variety of resources which are all in good condition and accessible for them to begin to make their own choices. Children receive individual attention and their routines are met through discussion. The childminder has knowledge of children's background and needs and information is obtained about their routines and likes/dislikes from the beginning. He further raises their awareness of diversity through play opportunities, such as books and including some celebrations.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to use a system to evaluate and identify plans to bring about further improvements for children, such as his development of the outside area and implementation of tracking forms to highlight what children are doing within the six areas of learning. He has attended training to begin to update his knowledge, and develop his inclusive practice, for instance sign language.

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the early years provision

Parents are satisfactorily informed of how their child has been through daily discussions. The childminder clearly displays information in the welcoming entrance area. This shares the evacuation procedures and the childminders qualification, training and procedures such as safeguarding and complaints. Parents also report about this. He shares with parents his range of policies and makes these available within a welcome pack. He is aware of establishing links with others settings children attend in forming partnerships to further support their learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Documentation is appropriately in place to meet the legal requirements and to support children's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding and knowledge of how children learn. His satisfactory awareness of their needs appropriately supports them. Therefore children make satisfactory progress in their general learning and development .The childminder has begun to implement observations, although systems have been changed and are not well established to track all children's learning. The childminder has an awareness of children's interests from discussion with parents, although assessments do not clearly identify children's next steps and therefore are not used effectively to track and support their learning within all areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled. They interact with the childminder as they have a secure, strong relationship. He is responsive to their individual needs and children have a satisfactory balance of adult led and child led activities. They have regular outings to learn about the local community and the wider world and opportunities to socialize with other children, visiting the nature reservoir and parks. They have regular fresh air and exercise whilst using the outdoor area, and use a suitable range of equipment in the garden, such as balls and hoops. They visit the park and soft play areas. The childminder provides some quality interactions, for example, he encourages their interest in books reading a story, using this to facilitate their number and colour awareness. He includes them all, sitting the youngest child on his lap. He encourages them to think and look for the puzzle pieces related to the

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and outcomes for children

alphabet, whilst asking them questions. He uses his humour and sensitively supports their play, encouraging a younger child to put different size sorting cups in each other. As a result they enjoy and achieve and develop confidence to explore. They show interest in the welcoming environment pointing to the bright posters. Children develop skills for the future they choose a book for the childminder to read and respond to questions about the pictures. They communicate by babbling or using language. They are supported as they count to four. Within an inclusive activity children engage at activities introduced such as the inset puzzles. They explore the environment manoeuvring around using their new learnt skill of crawling and pulling themselves to stand. They are supported and encouraged walking whilst holding the childminders hands. They play alongside peers whilst watching them build with stacking cups. They show interest

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and outcomes for children

in children's television and programs to support use of sign language. They are provided with opportunities to investigate with various sensory materials. They learn about the wider world whilst on nature walks and see animals within the nature reserve.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally behave well and develop confidence with their social skills. Their achievements are recognized and praised. They begin to learn to share and use manners, such as thank you. They interact with the childminder and are familiar with the boundaries within the home. The childminder asks them what they would like to do, and makes suggestions, so they engage in free play and planned activities. They learn about road safety as this is discussed. They have access to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 plenty of fluids, as their drink containers are available and frequently filled. They develop confidence with self-care as well, as the childminder acts as a role model and supports children as they wash and dry their hands. He has clear procedures to change children's nappies. 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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