Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423823 Inspection date 31/08/2011 Inspector Sara Frost

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and 22 month old son in Princetown, Yelverton, within walking distance of shops, parks and local primary school. The childminder's home is on three levels. The kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities are located on the lower ground accessible by a couple of steps. The lounge and dining room are on the ground floor. The bedrooms are accessible upstairs. Access to the enclosed back yard is via the kitchen. The family have two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also provides care for older children. She is registered to mind one child under five overnight. When working with an assistant, the registration is to care for a maximum of six children, no more than three of which may be in the Early Years Register. The childminder 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

Children have settled well in the childminder's care in a short period of time. The childminder has begun to form a good working relationship with the children's parents. From the onset, good information is shared to ensure each child's individual needs are well known and constant care is provided. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, systems used to enable parents to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning for their child are not yet fully developed. Generally, documentation is well maintained. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and uses this to develop and improve her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods of recording children's development, such as learning journals, to show the next steps identified and share this information with parents.  develop records of fire drills to aid the evacuation process. 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 has developed a good range of documentation, which promotes a sound basis for her childminding practice. Children's safety and security are maintained at all times. Effective practices are in place in addition to the clearly documented risk assessments completed around her home and for every outing undertaken with the children. Children have a good understanding of safety and they follow established procedures when going outdoors. Fire equipment is regularly checked and the childminder has produced written fire escape plans. Fire evacuations are undertaken regularly with the children, although outcomes are not currently documented. Therefore, the opportunity to review the procedure limits the evacuation process to provide consistent safe outcomes for all. Children freely move between the downstairs rooms. They are escorted through the kitchen to play outside. The range of interesting playthings and resource are readily

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the early years provision

organised as children arrive taking into account their current interests. A dditional resources are easily accessible. Children's art work and various posters, provide the children with a sense of belonging. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to her professional development and practice. She has completed the required elements of training courses since her registration and has accessed additional training courses, including National Vocational Qualification level 3 in children's care, learning and development. She has begun to reflect on her practice and identified areas she wishes to develop, such as accessing additional childcare qualifications. The informative two-way information shared with parents both verbally, through texting and the option of daily diaries maintains continuity in care and ensures children's individual needs are well met. The childminder has a good awareness of the need to link with other providers if or when required.

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and outcomes for children

Children have only recently started with the childminder. The planned activities change as the childminder responds effectively to individual interests. The childminder supports children as they play, accessing additional resources as children's attention and concentration wanes. She works very closely with her assistant, providing children with constant levels of support and supervision as they play and move around the home. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children develop and learn. She completes a record of planning and evaluates the activities provided. Her organisation and planning ensures all children are provided with activities built around their interests. She is responsive to older children's requests and maintains good levels of stimulation for all children in her care. Learning journals are used to observe and assess children's progress. These are in the early stages of development due to the childminding

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and outcomes for children

arrangements being relatively new. Each record contains observations of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children at play with links to the learning that is taking place. As new, these records have yet to be shared with parents or refer to the next steps indentified to progress children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language skills are promoted as the childminder responds to sounds children make. Their language is further encouraged as the childminder confidently chats away, pointing and introducing new vocabulary as children play. Children actively become engaged, as they watch water flow, using various pouring utensils in the water tray. They access chunky chalks to mark make on the chalk board and floor outside. Children experiment with textures, solids and liquid formats, as materials to alter the structure of the water are introduced by the childminder. Children develop their co-ordination skills, as they throw balls into a basket or play catch; relishing in the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn to share items, an important social skill for the future. Small world resources, puzzles and various celebrations are used to broaden children's awareness of the wider world. Books and posters are used to

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and outcomes for children

promote children's awareness of similarities and differences in people and places. Children thrive and respond well to the childminder's constant praise and encouragement; clapping as they respond to their own achievements. They are able to benefit from fresh air and exercise on a regular basis, such as trips to various play parks, bug hunting or play opportunities in the childminder's garden. Children learn how to keep themselves safe within the childminder's home and whilst out and about. For example, they understand why they have to wait until the workmen clearing the outside guttering have left the premises. Children are provided with opportunities to socialise with others and develop an awareness of the local community, as they attend various groups in the local area. The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote a healthy lifestyle for children in an individualised way. Children are encouraged to eat food provided by

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and outcomes for children

the parent. The childminder sits at the table and patiently waits with children until they have had enough to eat; developing an unrushed relaxed social approach to meal times. 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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