Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY281798 Inspection date 22/09/2011 Inspector Hilary Tierney

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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a five-bedroom house in the rural village of Minchin Hampton in Gloucestershire. All areas of the property, apart from the second floor, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed front garden for outside play. The family have a dog. Local amenities include Minchin Hampton Common, Stratford and Cirencester Park. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for six children under eight years of age, of these, no more than three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She works with an assistant and when doing so may provide care for total of 12 children under eight years of age, of these, no more than six may be in the early years age group at any one time. The childminder may provide overnight care for one child under eight at any

p.4

Description of the childminding

one time. She has a total of 26 children on roll, of these, 14 are in the early years age group. Most children attend on a part-time basis.

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

Children are happy, confident and have settled well in their surroundings. They are comfortable and feel safe with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder knows the children well and as a result she meets their individual needs extremely well. There is an excellent partnership with parents and detailed information is shared with them. Good links with other early years settings that children attend have been developed. The childminder has completed the self-evaluation process and has clearly identified areas for improvement which includes the development of some paperwork.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 analyse children's observations and assessments, in order to highlight any interests and achievements or their need for further support

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant are clear about the procedures to follow in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 event of having any concerns about a child in their care. They keep clear records of any injuries that children arrive with. Accidents and medication records are kept and shared with parents. The childminder is clear about keeping children safe and carries out risk assessments for every outing. The childminder and her assistant regularly explain to children about how to keep themselves safe; for example, when helping a child to roll up their trouser legs when they have been dressing up, the childminder explains to the child that they may fall over if the trousers are too long. Daily risk assessments are carried out on the premises and overall help the childminder ensure that all areas of the home are safe before children arrive. Children are supervised very well by both the childminder and her assistant as they

p.4

the early years provision

Resources are easily accessible and in good condition. They are used effectively to help children learn and develop. Resources reflect the diversity in the community. The childminder offers good support to children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who attend who speak English as an additional language. There is an excellent partnership with parents and comprehensive, detailed information is shared with them regularly. The childminder uses daily sheets to keep parents informed about their child's day. Notice boards around the entrance hall keep parents up-to-date with any future events and information that may be relevant to them. Parents have access to the detailed policies and procedures and all necessary parental permission has been obtained. Parents speak very highly about the childminder and her assistant and the care they provide. The majority of the parents have provided letters of recommendation for

p.5

the early years provision

the childminder which are highly positive and complimentary. Regular questionnaires for both children and parents help the childminder monitor the care she provides and act on any suggestions from them. The childminder has developed a good partnership with other early years settings, such as nurseries, play groups and the local school that children attend. As a result all adults are able to contribute to the continuity of care and learning of the children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a strong commitment to drive improvement and has completed the self-evaluation process. The childminder and her assistant are consistent in their approach towards the children and work well together to provide good quality childcare. They have a clear vision for the future and the areas they wish to improve.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have settled extremely well at the childminder's home. Some children are new and they are already comfortable in their surroundings. The home is warm, welcoming and homely. It is brightly decorated with displays of children's work around the downstairs rooms. Children enjoy coming to the home and have a lovely time when at the setting.They have easily accessible resources and are able to wander between the rooms safely, choosing what they would like to play with. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children feel safe and secure on the premises. They are active learners and make friends as they play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking at books and have a wide range to choose from. They are able to freely access these and take them into lounge where they are able to look at them alone or with the childminder or her assistant. At times the older children read to the younger children, this is an activity which they really enjoy. The children are provided with a wide range of activities which are stimulating and enjoyable for them; for example, the older children enjoy cooking when the younger children are asleep. They also take great enjoyment in painting pictures of the cup cakes they are making when the cakes are in the oven. The younger children enjoy being able to role play and take great delight in making 'cups of tea' for the adults.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy music and movement and really enjoy singing songs, listening to music and playing musical instruments. Children are well behaved and polite and many do not need reminding to say 'please' and 'thank you' when eating at the table. Children have a lovely time in the garden and enjoy using the slide, bikes and exploring the garden. They find bugs and explore the insects they find. Children enjoy using the play house for role play. The childminder's assistant gets out the dressing up clothes for the children and the younger children enjoy dressing up in police outfits, pirate outfits and dresses. They are given a mirror to see how they look. Children take great delight in showing everyone what they are wearing and talking about their clothes and what the police and pirates do. Children are encouraged to tidy up before moving to another activity or at meal times. Children are praised and encouraged by the childminder as they achieve.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Interactions between the children, childminder and her assistant are very good and help them problem solve and think about what they are doing. The childminder knows the children extremely well and is clear about their individual needs. However children's next steps and interests are not clearly identifiable in children's learning journals and as a consequence some activities may not offer a challenge to some children.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy eating and good personal hygiene procedures. They understand about hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. Children enjoy snack time and sit together well as they eat. Children are given a choice of the snack they would like and their dietary needs are catered for well. The childminder provides all food and drink for the children and offers a balanced healthy diet. Children have easy access to the outside areas and regularly enjoy outside play. They are regularly taken on walks around the village and to local areas which helps them understand about the world around them. 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