Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY261039 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Michelle Tuck

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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 has been registered since April 2003. She lives in a mid-terraced house in Frome, Somerset. Childminding takes place in the lounge and playroom downstairs. A bedroom for sleeping and bathroom facilities are both upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age; of these no more than three may be in the Early Years age range and of these, no more than one may be aged under one year at any one time. At present she has seven children on roll of whom four are in the Early Years age group.

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Description of the childminding

These children attend various sessions,. There is no provision for overnight care. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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

The childminder offers an inclusive environment where children quickly settle to be secure and happy. Children make good progress in their learning and development as they enjoy being with the warm and caring childminder. She observes the children closely in order to understand their individual needs and interests. The home is well organised to enable children to choose from a range of attractive toys and resources and to be actively engaged in interesting play activities. Most aspects of the partnership with families are well developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems used for self evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.  develop ways to share children's progress with the other settings that children attend, in order to promote continuity of care and developmental progression

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the early years provision

The childminder has detailed, written policies and procedures which accurately reflect her daily practice with the children. She has conducted comprehensive risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments on her home and garden and for all outings taken with the children. These policies are all shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed about the setting. All adults in the household have been vetted and all other required documentation is in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect. She is well aware of the procedure to follow if she has any concern about the welfare of a child in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed and positive minded. She is willing to respond to professional advice and is motivated to attend additional training to further develop her practice and thereby improve the outcomes for the children in her care. However the systems used to demonstrate self-evaluation do not currently fully reflect areas identified for future development. Daily communication with the childminder enables families to take an active part in the setting. The childminder has a developing awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands the need to offer a good range of activities in each of the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Very good relationships are established with parents which helps ensure the childminder works consistently with them to support children's development. Parents are provided with detailed information about the setting and daily diaries if they wish, which ensure they are fully aware of events in their child's day, helping them to share children's experiences once they get home. Links have not yet been made with other childcare settings that children also attend to promote their progress and learning. Children feel a sense of personal value and inclusion as they are all treated as individuals as they interact with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's company and enjoy the spontaneous, interesting activities on offer. The childminder makes suggestions about activities and purposeful play. For example, children are challenged in varied play to solve problems and gain spatial and number skills. They have independent access to a range of good quality, well presented resources, both in and out of doors. Some systems have been introduced for assessment, and observations of the children's play. The childminder successfully uses these and her knowledge of the children to plan their next steps. For example, play activities are combined with the children's interests, to encourage their full involvement and concentration.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good range of books and toys that promote diversity and equality, thereby giving children a positive image of the diversity of people within their community. She and other local childminders have developed a system for sharing some toys, which adds variety to the toys on offer to the children in their care.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's continuous interaction and involvement in their play. She effectively encourages language development through conversations using open questions, for example, when playing with the marble This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 run children are encouraged to choose which run they want to build from the picture examples. Using the children's interests in this area, the childminder encourages them to count how many marbles they have and encourages them to develop their early maths skills by asking 'how many is one more'. Children learn more skills through exploration as they play with electronic toys, such as cash registers and calculators, walk around the local environment and play in the garden. Children have good support to be creative and to concentrate while also using their initiative. They enjoy a range of art and craft activities, and examples of

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and outcomes for children

what they have made are kept in their scrapbook. The childminder fully supports children in their chosen activity, such as completing puzzles or playing dominoes but knows when to stand back and let the child achieve on their own. As a result, children are engrossed in a good range of interesting activities and developing skills for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The welfare of the children is promoted effectively through the childminder's high level of commitment and growing knowledge of requirements and guidance. Children are encouraged to play outside regularly and therefore experience the benefits of getting fresh air and exercise to improve their fitness, strength and coordination. They are involved in daily routines that will help them to support their own health as they become more independent. For example, children are consistently supported or encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom, with friendly reminders from attractive posters on the bathroom wall. The childminder provides them with snacks, which include fruit, to encourage them to enjoy healthy options, and parents provide a healthy lunch box. Children frequently practise emergency evacuation procedures to become confident with escape routes and routines. They learn how to keep themselves safe through

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and outcomes for children

discussions about road safety and learn they should not talk to people they do not know. Children learn to cooperate and understand how their behaviour may affect others safety. For example, they willingly tidy the floor so they can move around safely. Each child receives good attention, strong praise and warm encouragement from the childminder. As a result, they are polite and have a strong sense of security in order to succeed in a welcoming, homely environment. 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 3 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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