Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420446 Inspection date 28/07/2011 Inspector Jan Moutter

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2011. He lives with his partner and their three young children in the Northern area of Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole of the property is available for childminding purposes, though children generally play downstairs. There is easy access to the property and an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are shops and local amenities, including a school, within walking distance. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of whom three may be in the early years age range. He is currently caring for three children within this age range who attend on a part-time basis and two older children. He also cares for children before and after school and at the weekends. The childminder works with another childminder, and when they work together, they may care for a total

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Description of the childminding

of four children in the early years age range and a maximum of nine children under eights years.

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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

The childminder provides a supportive environment for children and meets their learning and welfare needs overall, as he shows an understanding of their individual characteristics and requirements. Systems to monitor and assess children's progress and plan activities are in their infancy, so do not fully demonstrate children's achievements or show their interests. Children are developing an awareness of healthy lifestyles through their activities, but have limited opportunities for healthy choices in their food and drink. The childminder works with an understanding of the need to have effective partnerships with parents and other settings to support children's progress. Informal self-evaluation allows the childminder to identify what he does well and what he may need to improve. This ensures that the provision is able to enhance outcomes for children as the childminder develops his practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and use this to improve systems of observation and assessment to demonstrate individual children's progress towards the early learning goals  consider informing parents of appropriate healthy and nutritious options for lunchboxes that benefit children and encourage their understanding of healthy choices about what they eat and drink This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  plan children's activities alongside monitoring and assessment systems, so that children's next steps of learning are included and are based on their individual needs and interests.

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the early years provision

Children have the freedom to move safely around the home. The childminder encourages them to choose from the good range of quality resources in different areas of storage. He has adopted sound procedures and systems to safeguard children that are reflected in his daily practice. The adults living on the premises with sole access to children are checked and the childminder protects children from those who are not suitably vetted. There is comprehensive risk assessment for the indoor and outdoor areas used by children and for outings. The childminder also checks the premises daily so that areas are safe and suitable for the children to access. The childminder has a secure knowledge of protecting children, including the indicators of abuse and neglect and the correct procedure to follow if he has any concerns about a child in his care. Children's individual records are generally clear and up to date; therefore promoting satisfactory quality care. All required

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the early years provision

documentation is in place and stored confidentially, though details are not clearly recorded concerning who has responsibility for the children, as the business is jointly run with his co-childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes great care to offer equality of opportunity through an individualised service for each child to foster their well-being. Partnership with parents and carers is sound and families speak highly of the childminder, as they regard his personal support, flexibility and caring manner as particular strengths. In conversation, families are provided with suitable information when they first contact the childminder. He tells parents about the children's daily care, the activities they enjoy and their achievements. In this way, parents have some opportunities to become involved in supporting their child's learning and development at home, for example, by continuing storytelling activities. Although none of the current children attend other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder is aware of the importance of forming partnerships with them to support the children's needs regarding any concerns and

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the early years provision

The childminder is satisfactorily committed to improving his practice through sharing ideas with other childminders and attending training. He has been minding for a short time but has already started to evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement of his provision. For example, he wants to develop ways in which he communicates with parents by using a learning diary, and is beginning to record in their learning journals. This positive attitude for further development demonstrates the childminder's sound commitment to maintaining continuous improvement. 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 spends time getting to know the children and finding out the activities they enjoy. He has a basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and is beginning to observe the children and assess these observations to look at their next steps in learning. However, this system is not fully developed to show their individual progress towards the early learning goals. Children are happy and content and good relationships are evident. They approach the childminder with ease and he is on hand to assist and support when needed. Children's art work is displayed around the home and this helps them feel valued and develop a sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a positive approach towards behaviour management and works alongside his co-childminder and parents to provide consistency. This approach helps the children understand what constitutes acceptable behaviour. The childminder is very calm and continually praises the children helping them feel good about themselves and their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early language skills are developing well. As they talk on the telephone, the childminder asks open-ended questions to help organise their thoughts. He also talks to the children about what they are doing, repeating what they say and following this with the correct language and grammar. Children enjoy their new surroundings and take time to explore the familiar toys and routines, such as story time after lunch. They enjoy looking at the different animals, naming them and making the sounds they make. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them as the childminder introduces them to the festivals and traditions of other cultures. They have opportunities to develop future skills through experiences, such as visiting the shops and post office and talking about what they see when on outings. Children develop their imaginations as they play with the bubble machine and chase the bubbles around the garden. They like to

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and outcomes for children

play with cars or build with bricks; and the childminder uses these activities as an opportunity to develop their counting skills and colour recognition.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe. They help tidy up before getting other things out so they do not trip, or slip or fall and hurt themselves. Children have daily opportunities to be outdoors as they walk to school and play in the park, where they enjoy plenty of fresh air and physical play. Young children regularly attend toddler groups giving them the opportunities to socialise with their peers. The childminder is aware of helping children to develop healthy lifestyles. He prevents the risk of cross-infection as he follows appropriate nappy changing procedures, which include the use of gloves and cleaning the changing mat with anti-bacterial spray after each use. There is a wall sign next to the sink to remind children to wash their hands properly and the childminder wipes young children's hands before and after meals. This encourages children to follow appropriate hygiene routines. The childminder is aware of the importance of children's healthy

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and outcomes for children

eating and provides them with fruit snacks. Parents provide their children's lunches; however, some of the options are not always beneficial to children to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourage their understanding of healthy choices about what they eat and drink. 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 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 2 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: 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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