Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416007 Inspection date 17/05/2011 Inspector Debbie Starr

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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 aged five and seven years in Brislington, Bristol. Most areas of childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden on two levels for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for four children within the age range of the Early Years Register and one child within the age range of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. All children attend on a part time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities including toddler groups, library and parks and takes children to and collects from local schools. The family has a pet dog.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and awareness of children's individual needs, enabling her to promote their welfare and development generally well. The childminder has a sound knowledge overall of how she promotes children's learning and development; however her system of assessment is not sufficiently well developed. All required documentation is in place and appropriate. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents but these do not sufficiently focus on children's learning and development. Links with other early years providers are not yet well established. The childminder has recently begun to reflect upon her practice; this has not yet had a significant impact upon the outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates a suitable commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observation and assessment to clearly identify children's starting points and their next steps in learning so that activities are planned effectively to promote priorities in learning  improve ways of working with parents and other early years providers so as to develop a two way flow of information that ensures continuity in children's care, learning and development  extend the range of resources that reflect diversity and offer regular experiences that promote children's awareness of the wider world  develop the system of self-evaluation to review the impact of targeted plans This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for the future and their effectiveness to bring about improved outcomes for children

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the early years provision

Appropriate arrangements ensure that all adults in the household have undergone suitable vetting procedures. The childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues and knowledge of procedures she should follow in the event of a concern about a child ensure children's well-being is safeguarded.

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the early years provision

Suitable records that identify risk are in place and individual documentation on children is maintained appropriately and shared with parents. Children make choices from a varied range of good quality toys and resources that are easily accessible and reflect their interests. Thoughtful consideration is given to the lay out of the play areas both inside and outside, giving young children plenty of space to develop their mobility. Children's awareness of their local community and diversity of the wider world is promoted through local walks and weekly visits to a variety of toddler groups and access to some resources within the childminder's home. Children do not take part in activities that reflect other cultures.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. They are informed of her practice through on-going discussion, written policies and the display of required information. She regularly exchanges information about children's activities, achievements and well-being throughout the day and uses on occasion a daily diary. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and their interests at home, thus ensuring their individual needs are met and supported. These discussions however, do not focus sufficiently on children's learning and development when children first start and on an on-going basis so that all parents are actively involved in their child's learning. The childminder has made links with some other early years providers that children attend however these are not yet well established to ensure continuity in children's care, learning and development.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is in its infancy. The childminder has started to reflect upon her provision with the support of her childminding mentor since registration. Alterations have been made to written documentation and she has sought advice regarding the system of assessment and the involvement of parents. The childminder has herself identified areas for development and future training in safeguarding and equality and diversity. She has taken steps to develop her knowledge however the impact of this is not yet evident. She demonstrates a satisfactory commitment to continuous improvement so as to bring about positive outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and relaxed with the childminder because she forms strong attachments with them and meets their individual needs generally well. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, because the childminder has a sound understanding of how children learn and develop overall. The childminder has good interactions with all children and she offers resources and activities that reflect their interests. Regular routines help babies feel secure and confident with the childminder, for example when changing nappies. She has started to observe what children know and do and link these to the areas of learning. Her system of assessment however, is not wholly secure as she does not gain information that is sufficiently focused on children's development when they first start. She also is not yet making effective use of observation and assessment to evaluate and clearly identify children's next steps in learning so as to offer

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and outcomes for children

suitable challenges at all times. As a result children's achievements are not tracked effectively from their initial starting points and capabilities and next steps in development are not effectively planned for based upon effective assessment and evaluation. Children willingly take part in activities and are eager to play. They choose and share resources to create patterns and cut shapes in dough, they chatter between themselves and respond to the childminder's questions. However, they are not supported to build upon what they know to develop this activity further. Young babies are intrigued by press response toys and are eager to explore sounds using wooden spoons and metal objects. They watch the childminder closely and copy her by banging their hands on a metal tin. Babies show an initial interest in new experiences to explore dough using their hands, however this is not developed. Older children show an interest in books, they look

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and outcomes for children

at these sitting comfortably with the childminder and are encouraged to recognise shapes both in pictures and around the room. Children enjoy playing with equipment outside, they develop coordination and balance using climbing frames, slides and a low-level trampoline. Children are encouraged to recognise number for example on hop scotch squares; however their interest is not sustained through open-ended questioning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe both within the home and when on outings is promoted well. The childminder is vigilant is keeping children safe when negotiating steps at the front of the house and climbing equipment in the garden. Children regularly practise the evacuation procedures. Daily discussion and planned activities promote children's awareness of where and when to cross roads safely. Children wear identifiable clothing when on outings to ensure they are clearly visible. Discussion about objects on the ground promotes an awareness of how to avoid tripping. Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles through regular practice of good hygiene routines. They drink from their own easily accessible cup and enjoy nutritious and balanced snacks and meals that are discussed and provided by some parents. Regular trips to local parks, walks and use of the back garden give children daily access to fresh air. Children behave well

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and outcomes for children

in the childminder's care, responding to her regular praise. Children play cooperatively together, they share, take turns and listen to the childminder and as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a result develop skills for the future. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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