Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285689 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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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 May 2004. She lives with her husband and two school-aged sons in Tidworth, Hampshire. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Of these, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children; of these three are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a qualification at level 3 in early years education.

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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

This very efficient, well-qualified and experienced childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. She works closely with parents to routinely and effectively meet the children's individual needs. The children are helped to make extremely good progress in their learning and development through the extensive range of activities and resources the childminder offers. The childminder welcomes and supports all children regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. Overall, she takes a positive approach in supporting the children's welfare. The childminder has to put strategies into place to help her to identify the strengths and any areas for improvement in her practice and to continue to promote high quality outcomes for children.

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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.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a very well organised childminding service. All of the records, policies and procedures that are necessary for the effective management of the childcare provision and to promote children's safety and welfare, are well kept. All these policies, including the procedures the childminder would follow if she has any child protection concerns are shared with parents. The childminder is very confident in the steps she would take if any safeguarding issues arise; the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's safety and protection are her highest priority. The childminder and her husband have been suitably vetted and no unvetted adults have unsupervised access to the children. Effective risk assessments are in place overall to reduce hazards to children. However, these do not cover everything that a child may come into contact with. For example, children could climb to reach medicated solutions

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the early years provision

Children play in a safe, welcoming and very well organised environment. The play areas are filled with a very large range of appropriate toys and resources that the childminder has skilfully organised to help children enjoy their play and progress in their learning whatever their age or ability. The toys are well presented to ensure that children can independently choose what they wish to play with. Children can easily access the rear garden, where there are more well planned resources and age appropriate toys. The childminder ensures that the children can play outside whatever the weather if they wish. The children's individual needs are well met as the childminder works in partnership with parents. They have regular meetings, use a daily diary to exchange information and together plan how the childminder can help the children progress in their learning. Although children in the early years age group do not currently attend other settings, the childminder is aware of

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the early years provision

the importance of working closely with other early years providers and services to promote the integration of the children's care and education. The childminder is effectively using self-evaluation to help her monitor and assess the quality of the provision she provides, she welcomes the support and advice of her local authority advisor, this assists her in promoting good outcomes for children and continually improving her practice.

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and outcomes for children

The children appear very happy, content and settled with the childminder. They very much enjoy exploring the very wide selection of resources and activities that she provides. The childminder plans weekly activities to help the children to progress well towards the early learning goals. These include trips out, such as to toddler groups, visiting play parks and other childminders or the library. They also play in the garden where they enjoy water and sand play and growing plants. The children are currently growing cress, which they will then eat in sandwiches. They take part in craft activities and read books, sing songs and listen to stories. The children love using and exploring musical instruments, helping to develop their creativity. The childminder plans these activities around school runs, meal and rest times. All these well-planned activities help children to explore their environment, learn about the wider world, develop their communication skills and learn to

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and outcomes for children

interact with others. For babies, the childminder provides treasure baskets so that they can explore tactile resources such as crinkly paper and wooden objects.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very efficiently observing and recording the children's progress towards the early learning goals and captures their progress in attractive learning journey record books. Each week, with parents, she plans a 'next step' in the children's learning that she has identified from her observation records; and she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 uses these records to ensure that she helps children progress in all areas. The childminder is promoting the children's health and well-being. She take very positive steps to prevent the spread of infection; such as using good nappy changing routines, keeping her home very clean and encouraging the children to learn good hygiene practises such as washing their hands before eating. The childminder provides healthy and well-balanced meals and snacks and ensures the children can always easily access drinking water. The children have regular rest

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and outcomes for children

and sleep times and are always checked when sleeping upstairs. They have frequent opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and to use resources that help to develop their physical skills such as climbing and balancing on the equipment at local play parks. The children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe; for example, they learn to keep close to the childminder when they are out and about and to tidy toys away once they have finished playing so that they do not fall over them.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout her home and garden the childminder has displays of children and adults from different cultures, backgrounds or with disabilities. The children use appropriate resources such as books and role play materials and they often celebrate different festivals and special events. These are activities and resources that are aimed at helping the children to learn to value diversity. The childminder acts as a good role model; she expects the children to behave appropriately and be kind and considerate to others. She offers rewards and encouragement and praises their achievements. The children are beginning to develop skills in communicating and using information technology. The childminder constantly talks to them, asks questions and helps them to express their thoughts in words. The enjoy using a digital camera and the childminder explains how they can see the photographs on the computer. The wide range of activities, discussion and

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and outcomes for children

exploration that the childminder encourages is effectively helping the children to be active and inquisitive learners. 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 1 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 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: 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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