Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420215 Inspection date 06/04/2011 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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 re-registered in 2010. She works at the premises of her co- minder in a bungalow in Stembridge, Somerset. The whole of the family home, including a dedicated playroom, is used for childminding. Access to the property is via two steps. There is a fully enclosed front and side garden for outside play. The family has dogs and fish which are kept in the back garden; they also care for gerbils and chickens.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. When working with co-minders and/or assistants she may care for a maximum 16 children. Of these, no more than nine children may be in the early years age range. At present, there are 26 children on roll; of whom, 18 are in the early years age group. She is registered to provide care for two children under eight years old from her co-childminder's home.

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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 make very good progress in their learning and development through high- quality planning and assessment arrangements. The needs of the children are routinely met through meticulous promotion of children's welfare. On the whole, children's well-being is safeguarded. Partnerships at all levels are good. The childminding team have an accurate understanding of the service they provide and actions to improve are well targeted.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct and maintain a risk assessment which identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, which includes details of when and by whom they have been checked (Premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 29/04/2011

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further?

 develop effective systems to record suitability of assistants (Suitable People) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 29/04/2011

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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  review and update policies and procedures, in particular those relating to complaints and safeguarding.

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the early years provision

Well thought out systems have been established to ensure that all childminders working from the setting and adults living at the setting have appropriate Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures. However, these systems have not been extended to include assistants and therefore, the enhanced unique reference number and the date they were obtained has not been routinely recorded. This is a breach of specific legal requirement. Through regularly updating her training the childminder has good understanding of child protection issues to promote children's welfare should an incident occur.

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the early years provision

There is effective team working by a group of dedicated childminders and assistants. Thorough key person systems ensure children's individual needs are met and that they are confident and settled within the homely environment. Children benefit from a dedicated play-room which is well organisation to encourage all children to be involved in making decisions about their play. Low level storage with picture labels encourages the children to make independent choices from an abundant range of high-quality toys and resources which include those that reflect the rural community and the diversity in our society. Colourful displays of children's creations and photographs provide a warm and welcoming environment where children are valued as individuals.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that parents are well informed about the provision and their child's achievements. For example, there is a daily communication diary which regularly reviews children's routines. Parents actively contribute to their children's learning through the communication diary. Appropriate consents are gained from parents to ensure continuity in children's welfare for instance, to gain permission for assistants to have sole responsibility for the children for short periods of time. On the whole, well written policies and procedures are shared with parents, however, some have not been updated in line with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Parents offer positive testimonials and comment on the "spacious and stimulating" environment and the "friendly and very approachable" childminders. There is regular contact with the local pre-school to enable consistency in children's care for instance, with regards to sharing information

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the early years provision

about toileting arrangements. Good links have been made with the school to enable smooth transition, for instance, through attending community events.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates the service she provides and, with the support of the other members of the team, accurately identifies areas for improvement. For example, the childminder acknowledges the need for further evaluation of the setting in particular, to the documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision. This takes into consideration the need for written risk assessments of all areas used by the children which have not been completed. This is a breach of specific legal requirement. The childminder has good understanding of the strengths of the provision for instance, her consistent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interaction with children at their own level.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a stimulating environment as the childminder has excellent knowledge of children's starting points and capabilities as a result of her initial discussions with parents and her observations of children's interests. Children benefit from high quality planning which ensures a balanced range of well-thought- out activities. A daily diary is used exceptionally well to monitor the provision for adult-led activities, child-initiated activities and observations. Excellent use is made of assessment systems which ensure that the childminder has exceedingly good knowledge of children's learning priorities. The childminder consistently interacts with the children to further promote learning and challenge their development. For example, when children select mark-making equipment the childminder engages the children through her questioning regarding shape, colour and familiar objects to enhance younger children's vocabulary. Through her interactions the

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and outcomes for children

childminder responds well to children's interests for instance, she stimulates children's thinking as she engages them in singing rhymes. The children participate enthusiastically and follow the actions exceptionally well. Through excellent organisation of the dedicated play room children are able to move freely. For example, the room is able to be divided so that older children can be creative with scissors and cardboard boxes whilst younger ones are able to safely crawl after battery operated toys and to explore bodily movement for instance, as they competently push and pull the vacuum cleaner.

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and outcomes for children

Robust systems are in place to promote children's safety at collection as authorised adults are recorded on children's records and an effective password system is used. Children become aware of their own safety as they are regularly included in emergency evacuation procedures. Children are offered gentle reminders to support their understanding of safety. For example, the childminder explains to a young toddler that it is not safe to stand on the stool to wave goodbye without an adult next to her. There are rigorous systems in place to ensure that children are comfortable and safe whilst they sleep. The childminder has excellent knowledge of children's routines and monitors their sleep effectively to ensure their well- being. Minor accidents are dealt with promptly as the childminder has appropriate paediatric first aid qualification. There are good systems in place to ensure that any accidents are recorded and shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered healthy snacks which meet their individual needs. For example, older children enjoy banana and raisins whilst a younger child is supported in eating yoghurt. Children are introduced to healthy eating as they engage in gardening activities where they are able to grow their own produce such as, parsley and carrots. Drinks, in age appropriate drinking vessels, are readily available on low-level units so that children can access them independently when they are thirsty. Children are introduced to hygienic routines. For example, all children regardless of their age are encouraged to wash their hands before eating. They dry them on individual paper towels which they dispose of appropriately in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 order to prevent the spread of infection. There are excellent routines in place to ensure hygienic nappy changing where privacy is maintained.

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and outcomes for children

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 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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: 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 part of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 29/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years part of the report (Suitability to care for children, or be in regular contact with, children) 29/04/2011

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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 part of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 29/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years part of the report (Suitability to care for children, or be in regular contact with, children) 29/04/2011

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