Childminder in South GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 12 Apr 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417095 Inspection date 12/04/2011 Inspector Yvonne Campbell

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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. She lives with her husband and two children age 13 and 16 years in the Longwell Green, South Gloucestershire close to Longwell Green School. The whole of the property, except an upstairs bedroom, is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden with a summer house for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll. Of these, four are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The family have three guinea pigs in an outdoor hutch and run. Minded children may have supervised contact with the pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends several toddler groups and takes children to the local park and library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education. She also has Higher Level Teaching Assistant status with experience of working in day nurseries and primary 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 are making good progress towards the early learning goals. They are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where they have access to stimulating play resources and skilful interaction is facilitated by the well trained and experienced childminder. Systems are in place for generally satisfactory risk assessments of most areas of the home and also community facilities visited on trips and outings. The childminder has established professional partnerships with parents and other providers of early years care and education. This ensures continuity of care in meeting children's individual needs and a shared approach to supporting their learning and development. The childminder has evaluated her practice and she has identified some areas for further development of her practice such as, recognising when further opportunities arise for child-initiated learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessment to cover anything with which a child may come into contact with, with particular regard to the gardening equipment  ensure children are closely supervised at all times, including visits to other registered early years providers  value linguistic diversity and provide opportunities for children to develop and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 use their home language in their play and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the safeguarding children procedures. All required reference documents and procedures are in place to reduce any risk of minded children suffering from child abuse. The childminder has a clear understanding signs and symptoms of abuse and she knows the action to take if she has concerns. All adults in the home have completed Criminal Record Bureau checks satisfactorily and are safe to be in close proximity to children. The childminder has also submitted the relevant forms to the regulator to have a teen- age child checked as required. Parents are aware of the childminder's duties and responsibilities to protect their children as she provides copies of the safeguarding children policy for their information. The available space in the childminder's home is organised well to provide defined areas for children to play and rest. Indoors they have access to a varied selection

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the early years provision

of toys, which are accessible at child height and attractive for children to play with. Toys are stored in labelled containers so older children can begin to sound out the letters that make familiar words. The childminder is working towards including picture illustrations so younger children can also find their favourite items when these are not displayed. The outdoor area is particularly inviting for children to use. They can move freely from the indoor space to access other toys and equipment for physical, exploratory and creative play. There is also a small gardening patch where children plant and grow vegetables. However, a small section of the garden contains adult gardening equipment, which may be hazardous to children if they should come into contact with these. Children's individual needs are met through discussion with their parents and the childminder's keen observation and assessment of each of the children she cares

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the early years provision

for. She creates detailed records of children's day so she can give parents clear and accurate feedback to parents at collection time. The childminder is also mindful of factors which impact on children's general well being, such as minor illnesses, and she offers them comforting hugs and encouragement. Children are learning about differences. They have access to play materials with positive images for culture and disability and use these during free play. These include a selection of dolls, books and puzzles. However, children's linguistic diversity is not valued sufficiently as the childminder does not provide opportunities for children with additional languages to use their home language during their play and learning. This may impact on those children's ability to develop and share positive aspects of their home culture with others. The childminder has completed a written overview and evaluated her practice

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the early years provision

since registration. All required documents are in place and are generally well set out and accurate. These include a risk assessment and a complaints procedure for parents. However, on one occasion, the level of close supervision required for children was misjudged and this had a poor outcome for the individual involved. The childminder has evaluated her practice, identified some changes and made improvements to ensure children have good quality care. For example, the childminder has developed her own stationery format for recording observation and assessment of children's learning to including additional sections for other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information she assessed should be included. Another strength of her setting is the childminder's provision of a wide range of 'scrap material and less descriptive toys'. Children are beginning to use their imagination more powerfully to make

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the early years provision

representation of objects using similar materials to represent others. The childminder aims to continue her professional development by completing short training courses and also through maintaining close links with other childminders in the area as well as the local authority support worker. The childminder works closely with parents who have written to express their satisfaction with the service she provides. Parents say she is reliable and their expectations are met. Other parents say their children have a strong bond with the childminder, and on arrival at her home children are pleased to see her and her family. Parents are kept well informed at all times. There is shared daily feedback and information about children's progress. The childminder promptly reports any accidents or incidents to parents, following the procedure required by the regulator. She works closely with other providers of early years, such as pre-school

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the early years provision

settings and activities provided during childminding complement those children are experiencing elsewhere.

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and outcomes for children

Children move with confidence around areas designated for childminding, selecting the activities they want to be involved with. They play freely between indoor and outdoor space in the organised garden. All areas are well prepared for stimulating play. Children show a strong sense of curiosity and play for long periods using the toys and play materials in different ways. For example, one child enjoys playing outdoors with water. The childminder ensures she has protective foot wear and a change of clothes for later. The child plays purposefully filling and emptying different containers. The childminder supports the child playing alongside her and talking to her to provide language for her actions. The child further explores how sponges absorb liquid by squeezing and releasing the sponges in her hand under the water. The childminder creates opportunities for improving and consolidating children's existing learning by interacting with them to practise their knowledge of

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and outcomes for children

different colours. Children have fun during learning and 'paint ' the paved areas with water and they also enjoy splashing in the puddles they create. Children are developing their understanding about nature and how other living creatures interact in their living environment. They visit the guinea pigs kept in the hutch with a spacious run. Children excitedly observe the animals as they move around and munch grass. Some children remember and say the names of the three pets that are different in appearance. Visits to other animal establishments are organised by the childminder and children also have learning experiences observing larger farm animals and horses. Children are developing their understanding of how plants grow from the ground and that some plants provide food. Seeds for a selection of vegetables and sunflowers are planted and children monitor the growth and development as the childminder places small markers

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and outcomes for children

where each variety has been planted. Children express their creativity in many ways. They enjoy mark making and use pencils, crayons and other types of art material freely. Some children show a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 particular interest in books and the childminder is supporting one child to create a book of experiences from an outing. Children love to listen to stories, snuggling close to the childminder as she reads. She pauses appropriately, allowing children to comment on the pictures they see in books. However, children who are bilingual with English as an additional language are not able to share words used at home. Some expressions children say spontaneously are not understood by the childminder as she has not discussed or developed a list of familiar words with parents. This may impact on the level of verbal communication children can

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and outcomes for children

achieve with the adult. Children's learning and development is observed and assessed well. Progress is recorded in individual learning journals and plans are in place to support and extend learning in various way. For example, the childminder is working together with pre-school staff to support a child's interest in the passing of time. Resources including watches, clocks and a visual timetable are being considered. Children's good health is promoted through nutritious meals and ongoing opportunities for outdoor play and learning in the fresh air. Their dietary needs are discussed with parents and the childminder complies with their wishes and instructions making sure children do not have any food which may harm them. Older children are learning about the foods which provide their bodies with nourishment. They play games where they select play food to make a 'healthy plate'. The childminder engages children in discussions about what is good and

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and outcomes for children

why some foods should be limited. Children are developing good hygiene habits and they know the routine for washing their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. The childminder provides individual towels with children's photographs so they learning to use their own and not to share to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children behave very well. They show a sense of belonging and are very comfortable in their surroundings. The childminder anticipates each child's needs and ensure that younger children are able to rest in keeping with their individual routines. 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 3 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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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