Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY419776 Inspection date 29/07/2011 Inspector Emma Bright

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 2010. She lives with her husband and one child aged one in Ely, Cambridgeshire. All areas of the childminders house are used for childminding and children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding five children in the early years group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local amenities and attends local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has established excellent relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are very well met. Resources are well deployed to ensure children's safety and enable them to become active learners. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. Good methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are in place. Systems for self evaluation are good and the childminder demonstrates an exceptional capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the use of information gathered about children's learning to enhance their good progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted very well because the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding children procedures. She understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes and all adults within the home have undergone checks to ensure their suitability which further safeguards children. The childminder supervises the children and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Thorough risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised; daily checks of the childminding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home further improve children's safety. The childminder is well organised; clear documentation and good record keeping promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. All these factors contribute to the childminder safeguarding children very effectively.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She reflects and evaluates her practice to maintain continuous improvement and to monitor the progress children make in their learning and development. The childminder has high aspirations and is successful in continually working towards ambitious targets. For example, in order to gain a better understanding of children's communication development, the childminder attended training on speech and language skills. This has enabled her to improve the way she communicates with children and as a consequence their language skills are extremely good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development which enables her to provide good quality care. She organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home, ensuring that they are happy and feel secure to be left in her care. She places very high value on the importance of working with parents and gathers excellent information about children's individual and changing needs. This enables her to take each child's uniqueness into account when planning activities and providing care. Exceptionally good written feedback demonstrates parents very high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. Parents are very well informed about all aspects of their child's achievement, well-being and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide a wide range of challenging experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. The childminder takes children's interests and stage of development into careful consideration when planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are promoted. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. This shows how children are making good progress in their learning and development. However, information gathered from parents is not always used to clearly identify the next steps in each child's learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Resources are in place that helps children celebrate the diverse society in which they live. They regularly go out in the local area helping them to make sense of the world and their place within it. The childminder organises visits to local amenities and groups in order for children to make friends and socialise with others. Children particularly enjoy visiting the local nature reserve to observe and feed the duck. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and this helps them to feel secure and be part of the childminding family. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's emotional development is promoted as they develop secure, trusting relationships with each other and the childminder. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's independence and confidence is developing because the childminder organises toys and resources where they can access them, allowing them to be active learners and make choices about their play. Children have good opportunities to be creative in a range of art and craft activities, such as painting or exploring the texture of shredded paper; the childminder values their work by displaying it for everyone to see and enjoy. Children begin to be problem solvers as they confidently operate simple equipment such as push and play, or pop-up toys and they enjoy pointing to body parts in naming games.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The programme for communication, language and literacy is a key strength. The childminder encourages young children's language skills through highly effective interaction; she models clear language as they attempt to copy sounds and words without discouraging their efforts so that they can use their growing skills confidently. For example, they relish practising new words such as letters, pick it up and read it. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books and sharing stories with the childminder. They have access to a wide range of books which they enjoy or they visit the local library to choose additional books. This helps to foster children's enjoyment of books and they begin to understand that print carries meaning. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children behave very well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about taking turns which means they all play happily together. Children enjoy lots opportunities for physical exercise in the garden and the local park. They practise a range of movements as they crawl through tunnels or pull themselves to standing on sturdy furniture. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she makes sure they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, and children can help themselves to fresh drinking water to ensure they are well hydrated. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of being safe, both in the home and on outings. For example, they all practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. In addition, they play games and activities from the fire safety box which helps to extend their learning about

p.6

and outcomes for children

keeping safe. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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