Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416977 Inspection date 01/04/2011 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 to work from her daughter's home in Exmouth, Devon. The whole of the two storey home is used for childminding. The childminder works with her daughter who is also registered as a childminder. The family has four dogs, three cats, chickens, two snakes and tree frogs.

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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 eight children at any one time, six of whom may be in the early years age group when working with her daughter. She is currently minding one child in the early years age range as well as children up to the age of 11 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 individuality is recognised and reflected well within the childminder's home to ensure they feel included and to promote their sense of belonging. Their needs are met well and their health, welfare and safety assured, although not all records are dated accurately. Children's learning is planned, promoted and monitored effectively, although not always individually. As a result, children are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder values the importance of continuous development, although her self-evaluation form is not sufficient to identify improvements in all areas of the framework. She has made several improvements to further promote her professional practice and the Every Child Matters outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system for recording risk assessments to show when they are carried out and need to be reviewed  develop a self-evaluation system to identify aspects for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop the observational assessments to prioritise more next steps of learning to encourage each child to fulfil their potential in all areas. 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. Policies, procedures and risk assessments are implemented to ensure good standards of health and safety are maintained. However, not all risk assessments have been dated to show when they will need to be reviewed. The childminder has a clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of her provision. This includes the beginnings of a self-evaluation form which identifies some areas of improvement, although this is not sufficient to include all aspect of children's individual care and learning needs. In addition, she has developed some links with other childminders regarding professional development and reflects on her practice with her co childminder. As a result, she has attended training courses and workshops to update her knowledge and skills and developed several areas of her provision.

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the early years provision

Children behave well and display positive attitudes towards others around them. They are well supported by the childminder who provides a gentle and patient manner and close support. As a result, children are learning to listen, share with others and to take turns. Children are also well supported in learning about diversity within their local community as well as in the wider world. The childminder works in partnership with her co childminder to ensure all children's needs and routines are met efficiently and to allow children to play unhindered. As a result, children are happy, involved and included equally.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established successful partnerships with parents and carers. They are provided with her personal profile, policies and procedures to support them in making an informed choice. They are kept well informed through displays, daily communication and contact books completed each day to summarise children's care routines, activities, well-being and any significant progress. Children are not cared for by anyone else. However, the childminder is aware of the need to establish effective links with other providers for consistency should this change.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning is planned and promoted well. The childminder records an initial assessment of children's preferences and stage of development when first caring for them. Subsequent observations of each child then include photographs and examples of their work to illustrate their progress. However, this is not sufficiently established to reflect children's stage of development in all six areas and is not yet used to prioritise next steps of learning. Otherwise, the childminder is getting to know children well and supports their interests and needs through maintaining a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 close presence and ensuring favourite resources are easily available. She extends challenges for children as they progress to promote on-going development. As a result, children are interested, active and developing self-confidence to succeed. Children also benefit from a balance of free play and organised activities

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and outcomes for children

throughout the day and a good range of play resources to promote all areas of their learning and development. This is made easily accessible to promote independent play. Space is used well to provide children with room to play and move about freely and unhindered within the different rooms and to rest peacefully.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled. They demonstrate a good sense of well-being and are developing warm attachments with the childminder which she nurtures through lots of close contact and reassurance. Children communicate their needs and feelings well. They smile, point, shriek out and use their developing language skills, which she encourages through repeating words back in context and listening closely. Children also mark make regularly with fingers, brushes, glue sticks and pens.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy is supported well by the childminder who counts with them in their play and uses descriptive language for shape, size and position. They also benefit from many opportunities to problem solve through completing puzzles and working activity toys. Children are involved within the local community in which they attend regular groups, such as the 'Get Up and Go' sessions, as well as trips to the museum, parks, beach and playgrounds. They use their imaginations well in creative activities, in which they use different media and materials. The childminder gently encourages them to explore the texture and colour of materials and to create pictures at their own pace.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the childminder's care which they demonstrate through the trusting relationships being established. They are supported well in learning about keeping safe through her house rules and guidance, learning about the fire evacuation procedure and road safety. Children's health is promoted well within a clean and hygienic environment. They learn about good personal hygiene effectively through hand washing routines and eating together at the table. They benefit from well balanced and nutritious meals and fresh fruit snacks. Children use a good range of activities indoors to develop their balance and early mobility skills. They also use play equipment out and about locally to promote their health and physical development. 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 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 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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