Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358593 Inspection date 31/05/2011 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 21, 18 and 15 years in Torrington, North Devon. The whole of the ground floor is registered for childminding, plus the bathroom facilities and main bedroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time of whom three may be on the Early Years Register. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care for older children aged over five years to 8 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children are settled in the welcoming and relaxed environment. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's individual needs through working closely with parents. Children are provided with a suitable range of play and learning experiences which help to support their development; however, children are not always sufficiently challenged to fully extend their learning. Children's welfare is satisfactorily promoted; although, the childminder does not meet all the specific welfare requirements. The childminder has some systems in place to help her reflect on the service she provides for the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a daily record of the names of all children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 07/06/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve hand washing routines with children to make sure that the risk of cross infection is minimised  develop play activities and experiences further, to provide children with greater challenges to help them move onto the next step in their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is sufficiently organised with most aspects of documentation in place to help support children's health and welfare. However, the register is not accurately maintained and not all children's attendance is recorded, which is a specific welfare requirement. Appropriate risk assessments have been completed to help identify and minimise risks to children so that children can move around freely in their play. Outdoor play areas are provided on higher and lower levels of the garden and the childminder uses the space as she feels suitable, based on the ages and abilities of the individual children. The childminder has attended training on safeguarding to update her knowledge and skills. She has a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. This contributes towards safeguarding children.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a reasonable range of clean, well maintained toys and resources which are set out around the room by the childminder so they are accessible for children. The childminder uses pictures of resources to enable children to make some choices about the toys set out on a daily basis. The resources available include a selection of play equipment that reflect positive images of other cultures, which helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. The childminder organises activities appropriately, such as sharing out the play dough and tools so that each child is included and able to join in. Children have some access to outdoor play experiences, which provides them with opportunities for exercise and fresh air. The childminder recognises the importance of continuing to develop her childminding provision and has started to reflect on the care she provides to help her improve outcomes for children. All recommendations from the

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the early years provision

last inspection have been addressed satisfactorily. Parents now receive information about the childminder's provision and observations are made on children's progress. Resources have continued to be developed and now include a bag with toys, books and pictures reflecting positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with parents to support children's individual needs. Informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day with parents mean that there is a regular exchange of information. This, alongside copies of the childminder's records of children's progress keeps parents suitably informed about their child's care, well-being and development. Clear information about the childminder's practice is made available to parents through an information folder, which details her policies and procedures, the activities and daily routines. The childminder is aware of the importance to link with other early years settings that minded children attend to provide continuity of care and learning. 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 happy and settled. They relate well to the childminder and feel confident to ask for support as they can be assured of a warm and friendly response. The childminder balances her attention well, making sure that all children feel valued and included. Children enjoy access to a varied range of age appropriate play activities which keep them sufficiently occupied. The childminder has introduced appropriate systems of observational assessment to help her monitor children's progress and support their development. However, in practice, play activities and experiences do not always provide children with sufficient challenge to help them move onto the next step in their learning. Children are helped to learn to share with others, for example, when taking turns with the play dough tools. They are encouraged to develop good habits and show consideration to others, such as saying 'please' and thank-you'.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication is suitably promoted as the childminder takes an interest in children's play activities, promoting conversation to help support children's language skills. Children are introduced to some number and counting during their play, however, opportunities for them to sort, match, and compare sizes within the activities are not maximised. Children have access to a variety of creative materials both at the childminder's setting and when visiting the local Sure Start Centre. For example, they have fun manipulating the play dough, saying with excitement 'I've made a wiggly worm'. They get involved in role play and enjoy dressing up as different characters. Children take part in outings around the community, such as trips to the local parks to use large play equipment to help promote their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is satisfactorily supported. They are beginning to show an understanding about healthy lifestyles as they follow appropriate hygiene routines during the day. However, the use of a communal towel does not fully minimise the risk of cross-infection. Parents provide children's food, the childminder makes sure that children can access drinks at all times throughout the day so they have plenty of fluids. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through the gentle reminders given by the childminder, such as holding on to the banister when coming down the stairs. Children take part in emergency evacuation procedures so they gain an understanding of what to do in an emergency situation. 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 3 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 3 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: 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 section of the report (Records to be kept) 07/06/2011

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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 section of the report (Records to be kept) 07/06/2011

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