Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264003 Inspection date 15/06/2011 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her partner who is also a registered childminder and their two children aged 10 and 12 years, in the town of Torrington, in Devon. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family keeps a dog and one cat.

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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. When working with another childminder she is able to care for maximum of six children at any one time, of whom six may be on the Early Years Register. She is currently minding eight children in the early years age group. She also offers care for older children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder provide a happy and welcoming environment where all children are valued and included. The good partnership working with every parent means children are supported well and their individual needs are met. Overall, children are provided with a broad range of interesting play activities and experiences, which fosters their ongoing learning and development. The childminder continually links with her co-childminder to reflect on the service they provide and help identify ways to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review organisation of the play provision to allow children greater access to creative materials to develop their own creativity  develop further the systems to monitor children's progress and identify their next steps to help enhance play and learning experiences, in order to ensure progression during activities. 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 works with her co-childminder to ensure that the provision is well organised and the day runs smoothly. All appropriate records are in place and used to support children's care, learning and development. The clear, detailed risk assessments cover all areas used by children and any outings. These are regularly reviewed to make sure that any potential risks to children are identified and minimised. For example, in the winter when the paths are covered in ice and frost salt is put down and children are given reminders to take extra care. When taking children on outings each childminder takes responsibility for their key children, which contributes towards keeping children safe and secure. The childminder has completed training to keep her up-to-date of safeguarding issues. She has a good understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. This

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the early years provision

contributes towards children being safeguarded.

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the early years provision

The childminder works together extremely well with her co-childminder to ensure that each child is well supported and individual routines are successfully followed. Both childminders recognise their individual strengths and each will take a lead role on particular activities. The effective use of the outdoor environment means that children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise, which aids their play and enjoyment. The childminder provides a broad range of clean, well maintained resources but due to changes being made to the premises free access by children is currently restricted. Children are still able to make some choices about their play through looking at photographs and selecting resources they wish the childminder to get out. However, the provision of creative play activities is not maximised to allow children to freely develop their creativity. Children are developing an understanding of the needs of others and the wider world. The childminder and

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the early years provision

her co-childminder have links with a child living in India and children get involved in creating drawings to send to India. The childminder uses this to promote discussion, effectively raising children's awareness of diversity and the differences for children living in other parts of the world, such as food and houses.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to continuous improvement and regularly updates her knowledge and skills through attending training, such as a 'music' and 'communication for language' workshop. The one recommendation from the last inspection has been successfully addressed, detailed risk assessments are now carried out at regular intervals to help keep children safe and secure. The childminder links with her co-childminder to review the service they provide and consider ways that they can further develop the play and learning opportunities for children.

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the early years provision

Strong partnerships are developed with parents, which helps children to feel settled and secure during their time at the setting. Clear information is obtained from parents about children's individual routines, likes and dislikes through the 'All about Me' forms, and this is used alongside the 'induction days' to help children feel comfortable in the childminder's care. The childminder makes sure parents are kept successfully informed about their child's care and development through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informal discussions at the end of the day and sharing photographs and children's progress records. Parents value the 'home from home' environment and the wide range of activities offered to children. The childminder communicates with other early years settings that children attend to provide continuity for children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely settled and comfortable with the childminder. They are confident to approach the childminder for support as they can be assured of a warm and caring response. The childminder has a good understanding of children's abilities and interests and plans a good range of fun and motivating activities to foster children's learning. Regular planning includes interesting topics, such as a visit from a police officer to raise children's awareness of how to keep safe and talk about stranger danger. Children got involved in having their finger prints taken and dressing up in police officer's uniform. Children's progress is effectively monitored through observational assessments; however, these systems are still evolving which can mean the next steps for children's learning are not always identified clearly. Children behave well; they know the routine and willingly help to tidy toys away before going out from the premises. They are supported in learning to share

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and outcomes for children

and take turns, and the regular praise from the childminder helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being encouraged to be independent as they use the step to wash their hands before snack and lunch time. Children communicate well. They enjoy cuddling up to share books with the childminder and regularly take part in singing activities. For example, children recently attended sessions at a local singing group with the childminder, this has introduced them to new songs which are now incorporated regularly within the daily routines. Children are introduced to size, shape and measures through access to a variety of resources. The childminder introduces children to number and counting through everyday routines, such as counting when putting children's shoes on and during meal times. Children enjoy being out in the fresh air and get actively involved in planting, growing and caring for the vegetables in the garden. These are tasted at 'fruit snack', which is effective in helping children learn where food comes from.

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and outcomes for children

Children go on regular outings around their local community, they learn about nature and living things as they take part in the 'Out and About' group and join in local forest school activities. Children's physical development is promoted very well as they access a wide range of physical play activities on a regular basis. For example, the childminder and her co-childminder organise a sports day in the summer where all children take part in various activities, such as the egg and spoon race, sack race and an obstacle course. Children have some opportunities to experience art and craft play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is promoted well. They learn about how to keep themselves safe through topics covered on 'home safety', ongoing discussions and gentle reminders from the childminder during their play, such as to take care on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the see-saw. Children join in evacuation practices, which help to raise their awareness of what to do in an emergency situation. Children follow good daily hygiene routines to help minimise the spread of germs. They learn about keeping healthy lifestyles as they take part in events, such as an 'Open day' at the local dentists. This helped to raise their awareness about what foods are good to eat and what foods are not so good and parents commented how this has had a positive impact on children's eating habits. 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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