Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY245258 Inspection date 21/07/2011 Inspector Karen Prager

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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 lives with her husband and three children aged 11, 10 and four years in the Woodhall Park area of Swindon, Wiltshire. The family keeps a Labrador dog as a pet. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder's registration permits her to care for two children in the early years age range at any one time when working alone and nine children when working with an assistant. The childminder currently cares for two children within the early years age range who attend on a full-time basis. She also cares for a number of older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups. The childminder works with two assistants on an occasional basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to the local childminders' network. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in Childminding Practice.

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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

Children are happy and settled in this welcoming family home. A generally good range of resources and activities is provided, though children have limited opportunity to gain knowledge about the wider world around them. The childminder has developed a good two-way flow of information with parents and with other settings which children attend. This has a positive impact on the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the learning and welfare needs of the children in her care. She demonstrates a strong commitment to improving her knowledge through attending training courses and generally effective systems are in place to continue monitoring the provision and move it forward, in order to maintain improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on opportunities for children to learn about the wider society through activities and resources both in and out of the home  extend systems of self-evaluation to prioritise areas for further development, include how and within what timescale these will be implemented and how the impact on the children will be monitored and assessed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good organisational skills of the childminder. The childminder has organised her home to be a welcoming and safe place for children. The childminder is clear about her responsibilities to safeguard children as a registered childminder. All adults connected to the registration, including the assistants she uses, have suitable clearances to work with children. She knows the possible indicators of abuse and has a good understanding of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care. The home is secure, children are supervised well and most required documentation is in place. The childminder identifies and assesses risks to children properly both in the home and for outings and takes effective steps to minimise these risks. A record of assessed risks is in place and emergency evacuation drills are regularly carried out. The childminder regularly reflects on her provision for children and takes positive

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the early years provision

steps to improve their outcomes. She recognises the value of the Ofsted self- evaluation document and uses this to identify plans for the future. She has rightly identified this as an area to be strengthened.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well, recognising children's differing backgrounds and providing appropriately for their particular needs. Toys are well maintained and suitable for the ages of children who attend. Most areas of learning are well provided for, although there are few activities and resources to develop children's understanding about the wider world. Resources have been re- organised since the previous inspection to enable improved accessibility for the youngest children. Toy boxes are clearly labelled with words and pictures to enable children to recognise what they would like to play with. Additional toys are available to older children upstairs. A range of resources is also available in the garden. Children's artwork is displayed, showing that they are valued and developing their self-esteem.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other settings that the children attend are well established. Information is shared on a regular basis. For example, the childminder has adapted her method of supporting children when learning to form letters to promote continuity and cohesiveness in their learning and development. Relationships with parents are positive. The childminder has established and recorded a core set of policies and procedures which are shared with parents when their children start attending. She talks on a daily basis with parents about the care and development of their children. This means that they are fully informed about how their children spend their day. The childminder welcomes feedback from parents and children and actively seeks their views through a questionnaire twice a year. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of child development which she uses to support her care of children and their development across all six areas of learning. The childminder knows the individual interests and stages of achievement of the children well because she continually observes them, assesses their development and considers the next steps they will take. The information gathered is shared with parents and used to support children and, as a result, children make good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly settled in the care of this enthusiastic childminder. They chat easily with one another and readily find activities to keep themselves busy. They sit together and create a card to take home. Carefully they squeeze the tube of glitter glue and take delight in the bird they have created, adding a feather and a beak. Younger children sit with the older children and the childminder assists them with fixing stickers. The children talk about what they want to do next and about past events. Children enjoy singing as they play and the childminder listens, clearly valuing their contribution.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe when they learn about road safety. They can talk about the procedures they follow when they practise the evacuation drill and know what might happen if there was a fire. Children adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands without being prompted after using the toilet. Children develop a secure understanding of the importance of regular exercise. They engage in many outings to parks or soft play centres and regularly take the dog for a walk. The easily accessible garden provides a valuable space for those who prefer playing outdoors. Children competently put on their wellington boots before running outside and finding a water bottle. They carefully use this to draw their name on the patio. They purposefully play with the large car and confidently seek support from the childminder when they struggle to move it down a slope. Children demonstrate very good behaviour and play happily with each

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and outcomes for children

other. They develop skills for the future when they negotiate to share toys and begin to take responsibility in the setting as they help prepare lunch. 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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