Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273140 Inspection date 09/06/2011 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2003. She works from another registered childminder's address and her co-minder's daughter works as their assistant. Her co-minder lives with her husband in a terraced house, close to the centre of Highbridge in Somerset. There are shops and playing fields within walking distance of the house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat, two guinea pigs and an aviary of birds in the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 12 children under eight years at any one time, when working with the other childminder and assistant. Of these no more than nine children may be in the early years age range, with no more than two being aged under one year at any one time. They are currently minding 16 children, of whom only one is full time, in this age range. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends a local childminder group with minded children on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder a level 3 qualification and her co-minder holds a level 3 child care qualification. Their assistant holds a level 2 qualification. There is no provision for overnight care.

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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 builds good partnerships with parents and other providers. This means that children receive consistent care and their individual needs are well met. Children are kept safe and secure through good procedures and develop healthy lifestyles. Interesting activities, regular observations and generally good access to toys and resources ensure most children make good progress in their learning and development. Children develop positive relationships and a good awareness of people's differences. Systems for evaluating the provision identify the strengths and actions for improvement in most areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend adult-led activities and routines to further challenge the older and more able children  update the self-evaluation systems on a regular basis in order to monitor the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 impact on outcomes for children and review all areas of the provision

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and she has attended recent training to keep her knowledge in this area up to date. She understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the welfare of a child within her care.

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the early years provision

Closed circuit television is used to monitor callers to the house. There is also a visual monitor used for babies sleeping in the lounge area. Good records are maintained of any accidents, existing injuries and medication administered to children. Good consent forms ensure parent's wishes are documented. The childminder and her co-workers all have first aid training, and a good supply of first aid equipment in the house and for outings.

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the early years provision

Risk assessments have been improved to ensure safety checks are carried out on toys, as raised at a previous inspection. Safety equipment such as fire blankets, a fire extinguisher, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, are all in place and are regularly checked to ensure they are in working order.

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the early years provision

A dedicated playroom leads to a child-centred shelter and garden. Low-level containers enable children to make good choices from the wide range of suitable toys and resources. Occasionally some resources are not deployed as effectively in adult-led activities. For example, children eagerly explore a pot of potatoes they have grown. Although scientific equipment, such as magnifying glasses, has been recently purchased these were not available to further challenge children in this activity. Most toys and resources are in good condition and several new purchases have been made recently. The childminder, her co-minder and their assistant deploy themselves very effectively. For example, at least one is able to interact with the children at all times, while others meet the needs of babies or see to daily routines.

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the early years provision

Parents receive good information on the provision and their child's development. Written and daily verbal exchanges ensure the children's individual needs are met. Photographs are displayed showing how the children are learning through the various activities. All policies and procedures are in writing and have been updated to provide consistent information for parents. Regular newsletters keep parents informed about forthcoming topics, children's development files and special events.

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the early years provision

The childminding team work together to discuss their practice. They use good systems, including self-evaluation, advice from the local authority and inspections, to ensure continuous improvement. However, the self-evaluation system is not updated regularly in order to monitor the impact of changes and ensure all areas are reviewed. Parent and children's questionnaires are used to gain their feedback, which is predominantly positive. Parents comment on receiving fantastic information and feeling 100% confident in the care. that their children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receiving.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and very confident in the provision. They have good opportunities to make independent choices and initiate their own learning. The childminder makes regular observations and uses the information to plan stimulating activities, based on the children''s interests and next stages of learning. Although activities are planned to promote children's independence, routines are not fully utilised to challenge the older and more able children. For example, the childminders often prepare children's snack and pour their drinks for them., insread of letting them participate in this activity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides generally good interaction, using prompts to involve all the children in stories. This encourages them to fill in missing words, and make animal noises and actions. The childminder uses pictures of previous activities to remind children of the process they went through in order to follow it up. For example, children remember planting seed potatoes and go out to dig them up. The childminder points out the roots and the children count how many potatoes they have and sort them into sizes.

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and outcomes for children

One toddler demonstrates their understanding of the use of equipment. For example, they put a stethoscope in their ears and use it on a doll. Another places shapes through the correct holes and operates a button to make them pop out again. Children are confident communicators and babies respond positively to the warm relationship they have established with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children build good relationships with each other and with the adults. Through their play and access to resources they learn a positive attitude to peoples differences and their own feelings. Older children are beginning to use some sign language. Children enjoy looking at photograph albums of each other and themselves, which promotes their sense of belonging and self-esteem. They take ''Billy Bear'' on holiday or special outings and share their photographs with the other children.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain a good awareness of healthy practices through their daily routines. They ask for tissues to wipe their nose and help themselves to their own drinking beakers. Babies indicate when they are tired or hungry and their needs are met effectively by the childminder. Clean bedding for sleeping and paper towels to dry hands prevent cross contamination.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy snacks, for example fruit, flapjacks and milk. Children have daily opportunities to be outside. They learn about keeping themselves safe through using balancing and climbing equipment, and developing an awareness of road safety on outings. 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 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 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 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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