Down, Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253223 Inspection date 30/09/2011 Inspector Yvonne Campbell

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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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 11 years old in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The whole of the premises except a second floor room is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have two cats. Minded children may have supervised contact with the pets. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with two assistants. When working with one assistant she may care for not more than eight children under eight years. When working with both assistants the childminder may care for not more than nine children under eight years. There are currently 13 children on roll, all are in the early years age group and most attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is accredited to provide free nursery education for three- and four-years-olds. The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the West Wiltshire Childminding Network and holds a Level 3 qualification for the National Nursery Examination Board.

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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 well cared for in the spacious and welcoming environment where they have access to a good range of resources overall. The childminder is knowledgeable about how children learn and develop and provides interesting and stimulating play experiences to help children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are kept safe both indoors and during trips around the community by a system of effective risk assessment procedures. Partnerships with parents and other providers of early years care are established so children's individual needs are met well and they have continuity of care. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice and makes necessary adjustments to her practice. She has addressed all the recommendations from the last inspection and, therefore, shows a good capacity to maintain improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of the book area so that young children have regular opportunities to share and enjoy a wide range of fiction and non- fiction books. 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 a clear and thorough understanding of safeguarding children issues and the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder, her assistant and other adults in the home have completed Criminal Record Bureau disclosures and have been deemed suitable to be in close proximity to children. The childminder and her assistant have recently updated their safeguarding knowledge through attending training. The childminder has made effective use of risk assessments both for in the home and on outings. These fully promote children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with her assistant and has regular discussions on how she may improve the service she provides to children and their families. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been met. As well as training in child protection, they have completed a course in behaviour management. This demonstrates the childminder has a good capacity to maintain improvements.

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the early years provision

The spacious areas in the home are used well. All areas are child-centred so children have access to a wide range of resources. This includes the outdoor area which is extremely well organised to support different learning as well as energetic play. Most resources are set out at child height so children can self-select. However, the books on a low shelf are packed very tightly and not easy for younger children to choose independently for their enjoyment.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes a positive view of difference. Children have access to toys with positive images of culture and disability. Children with additional needs are beginning to thrive as they are supported to make progress at their own pace with toys they enjoy using.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with other providers of early years care. Good systems are in place for sharing relevant information about children's care and welfare. Parents have access to information about the setting and have daily feedback and written information on progress. The childminder values highly the opinions of parents. She seeks their views on the services she provides by asking them to complete questionnaires which include children's comments and opinions.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly and begin to play immediately on arrival. Stimulating educational posters are on display and used as aids to learning. Children move around with ease to select the materials they want for play. Outdoors, younger children have fun as they explore sand and water using equipment to scoop and fill containers. Children are kept from harmful sunrays as they have hats and sun screen is applied. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Snack times are happy social occasions. The childminder's assistant engages the children in a familiar song as she prepares fresh fruit into small hand-sized pieces so children can feed themselves. They are learning to be thankful as they sing a special song before eating. The childminder is very flexible and ensures the needs of all children are met during the daily routine. For example, some children's sleep needs means they are resting while others need to be fed. Some children show

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and outcomes for children

noticeable signs of the progress they are making. They enjoy completing puzzles and self-chosen problem solving tasks, such as fitting containers of increasingly smaller sizes into a single large container. Children also enjoy construction play and are learning to make the structures they build balance properly.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good systems for observation and assessment of children's progress and plans well for the next steps in children's development. Learning records are regularly shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning how to stay safe when out in the community. They know the rules for staying close to the childminder. Resources, such as books, are provided so older children can explore sensitive issues, such as stranger danger, with an adult without being fearful. Children are familiar with the procedure for leaving the home quickly in an emergency. The fire drill is practised and evaluated on a regular basis. Children behave very well. They are purposefully occupied and have support from skilful and caring adults. The childminder is alert to the gestures and sounds of babies and responds to these in order that they do not become tired or frustrated. 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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