Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 154100 Inspection date 21/07/2011 Inspector Elaine Douglas

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2001. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder, and one of their two grown-up children. They are also registered foster carers. They live in a converted barn in Sampford Peverell, Devon. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two dogs.

p.4

Description of the childminding

When working with his co-minder, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time; of these, no more than six children may be in the early years age range. They also offer before and after school care to children aged between five years and 10 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the Devon Childminding Association

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a an excellent awareness of each child's individual needs which enables him to routinely promote their learning and development. He builds extremely positive relationships with parents and others to support each child's development and ensure an inclusive environment. The highly effective partnership with his co-minder and the imaginative deployment of resources enables children to become independent learners and make rapid progress overall.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's safety is given the highest priority, whilst still enabling children to move freely around the premises. Most documentation supports the childminder in providing an excellent service. The childminder has a passionate attitude to providing high quality care and uses systems such as self-evaluation in a very effective way to ensure continuous improvements to the child care service he provides.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 develop an overall tracking system of children's development to assist with identifying their gaps in learning  extend the self-evaluation system to include a record of the actions for improvement in order to evidence the evaluation of their success This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are kept safe through the childminder's very good knowledge of child protection issues. He has attended training in safeguarding children and has well- documented policies and procedures for further guidance should he have any concerns about the welfare of a chidl in his care. Very good risk assessments are carried out on all areas of the provision and for outings, and all identified hazards are effectively minimised. Excellent procedures ensure children remain safe on the premises at all times.

p.5

the early years provision

The highly positive partnerships with parents and other settings has an excellent impact on children's welfare and on their continuity of care and learning. Parents are kept very well informed about both the provision and their child's development, through the notice board, policies and procedures, daily diaries and access to their child's development record. The childminder works closely with the local pre- school, primary school and other outside agencies to support individual children. This ensures children's learning and development needs are extremely well met.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminders work extremely well together and interact well with the children, thereby providing an exciting and fun environment for children to reach their full learning potential. Activities are carefully planned to enable children of all ages and abilities to take part. This ensures inclusion and promotes equal opportunities. Resources are deployed to enable children to make independent choices about their play and enjoy their learning according to their individual needs. For example, one child engages in physical activities with the childminder outside while another plays games with the co-minder inside. Extensive use of the local environment promotes children's awareness of the natural environment and allows them to mix with a wide range of other children, thereby promoting their social skills and their understanding of the diversity of people within the community.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder and co-minder are highly committed to ensuring outstanding outcomes for children. They work closely to identify their actions for further improvement, although the self-evaluation systems do not currently include a record of the actions and their impact on outcomes for children. The childminders share good practice from any training either attebds. Since the last inspection the childminder has identified his own personal professional development needs and attends a wide range of training to increase his own knowledge of child care practice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children settle very quickly and are welcomed into the childminder's home. They are extremely confident and are pleased to see the childminders and the other children. Older children have excellent opportunities to be involved in the planning and to instigate and lead their own learning. Consequently, they develop high self- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 esteem and become independent learners, which promotes their learning skills for the future. The childminder provides an excellent role model, treating children with equal respect regardless of background or ability. Consequently, the children gain a well-developed awareness of respect for each other and this is reflected in their excellent behaviour. Children also gain a highly positive awareness of people's differences and their similarities. Resources prompt conversations about wearing glasses, using hearing aids and about people from different cultures.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides highly effective interaction. Children are excellent communicators and are encouraged to have good listening skills and to be inquisitive. The childminder challenges children sufficiently and uses daily routines to promote their practical skills. For example, an older and more able child is shown how to mend a flat tyre on a bicycle. They find the puncture by noticing the air bubbles when the tube is placed under water, thereby using the activity to introduce science concepts.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Although a tracking system is not currently used to help the childminder identify any gaps in individual children's learning, he does use the learning and development requirements to closely monitor their progress. Observations are linked to the early learning goals and 'next steps' are linked to children's interests. This ensures children have excellent opportunities to learn and engage in a wide range of experiences and to develop their own skills and interests.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop an exemplary awareness of healthy practices and keeping themselves safe. They enjoy a wide range of physical activities and have free access to the outside play area. Older and more able children enjoy a game of football, while all children develop hand-eye coordination practising tennis skills. Well-documented individual care plans ensure the younger children's welfare is protected and promoted. Parents are encouraged to provide healthy meals and all children have access to drinks and fruit throughout the day. Children gain excellent hygiene practices, washing their hands after being outside, before eating and after using the toilet. Children have their own towels and bedding to protect them from cross contamination.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Overal, the childminder provides an exceptionally imaginative child care service, where all the children are encouraged to explore and learn in a very safe and supportive environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8