Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104485 Inspection date 02/11/2011 Inspector Dawn Biggers

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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 1993. She lives with her adult child in Ashburton, Devon. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed patio and garden area for outside play. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time; of these, three may be within the early years age group and of these one may be under one year. When working with an assistant is registered to care for a maximum of nine children under eight years at any one time; of these, six may be within the early years age group and of these two may be under one year. The childminder is currently caring for five children within the early years age group. The childminder takes children on various outings to the library and local park. The family have two dogs.

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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

The childminder provides a superb welcoming environment for children to learn. They have access to an excellent range of toys and resources to support them as they the play indoors and outside. The childminder has a good relationship with parents and keeps them well informed of how their child has been and the progress they are making. Children's safety is a priority, and overall assessments of children and partnerships meet all children's individual needs. Self-evaluation identifies areas for the childminder's own development, within her good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for observing and assessing children's progress and use them to identify learning priorities  develop further systems to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers to ensure a shared approach to children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding children and has knowledge of what to do in the event of a child protection concern. Children learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about keeping themselves safe because the childminder acts as a role model; for example, by making them aware of hazards. The childminder has completed effective risk assessments within the home. Good safety measures for outings include carrying an emergency plan and contact details alongside a portable first aid kit. The childminder has a written evacuation procedure, and fire drills are practised with the children so they are clear of what to do in an emergency situation. The childminder ensures the premises are secure and monitored well; for example, there is an intruder sensor at the front of the house.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses an effective system to evaluate and identify plans to bring about further improvements for children. She has improved her procedures by implementing a good range of policies to share with parents and therefore they are clear of her practice. She continues to support and develop her vibrant play area by sharing activities children engage in by displaying photographs and pictures of their work. Training is regularly attended to develop her practice and procedures, such as safeguarding and supporting children's ability to communicate.

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the early years provision

Parents are well informed of how their child has been through daily discussions and informative written information about their day and routine. They have the opportunity to add to children's daily diary as there is a section for their contributions. The childminder clearly displays information on a notice board and provides a welcoming inclusive home; for example, policies and procedures are displayed in a folder. Parents report in her compliments book that they are happy with the good progress children make and the support they receive in their learning. However, the childminder has yet to build links with the pre-school to further support children's learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The play area is exceptionally well organised with an extensive range of easily accessible high quality resources which are rotated. The superb environment means activities support children's learning very well, such as weather charts and posters of their interests. The childminder plans flexibly to meet children's individual needs and therefore activities inspire them and enable them to make many choices. As a result, they are fully engaged, stimulated and interested in their play. Children receive individual attention and support and their needs are met well in discussion with parents. The childminder raises their good awareness of diversity through discussion and play opportunities such as books and celebrations, and this enables children from a young age to value diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good awareness of children's learning and therefore activities take account of their individual needs. Children progress well, as the childminder's effective planning includes observational assessments within a diary. However, her system for identifying children's next steps is less well established within her assessments in order to fully promote individual learning. Although, her good understanding of their needs still supports them well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children interact well with the childminder and they have a good, secure relationship. She is very responsive to their individual needs and children benefit from a good balance of adult-led and self-chosen activities. Children enjoy and achieve and have fun because the childminder supports their learning well. For example, she encourages them to solve problems and therefore they count the

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and outcomes for children

pictures they stick and repeat this again as they add more. She encourages them to develop skills such as cutting with the scissors. A good range of activities supports their awareness and knowledge of the wider world. Children plant and nurture cress seeds as they watch them grow. They collect items from the garden, such as twigs and leaves to design a bonfire picture. Creative activities fully support their learning, for instance they made spiders for the display and this enables them to actively engage in the rhyme, as they are able to move these up the drain pipe. The childminder skilfully engages all the children. She uses finger puppets and they participate well in a song and make animals sounds. The childminder spontaneously introduces numbers as she counts the bricks whilst building the tower, before a peer knocks this over.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and familiar with their routine. They concentrate well at chosen activities and show good control and coordination as they spread the glue on the paper and carefully stick their pictures. They develop skills for the future as they confidently use language to express what they want to participate in and ask for instance for something else to eat. All children are included as the childminder helps a younger child to explore with support; therefore, they participate with peers in a sticking activity. Children use their imagination well as they prod and cut the play dough into small pieces, sharing 'I am making pasta'. They have good relationships with their peers, being sociable, for instance they role play as they make dinner for each other and engage well in conversations. They make choices and share their knowledge of colours stating that the glue stick they have chosen is green. Children behave well as they are consistently praised and encouraged;

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and outcomes for children

therefore, they eagerly share their achievements and have good self-esteem and confidence. They use manners well such as 'please' and 'thank you', and show care and concern for their peers. The childminder encourages them to develop skills such as cutting with the scissors.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about good safety practices as they discuss road safety and potential dangers before going on outings. They show good awareness of potential hazards; for example, they tell a peer not to put the toy in their mouth. There is good supervision whilst they use equipment such as the scissors during a creative activity. Good support is given to remove floor obstacles as they all help to tidy up. Children develop superb awareness of healthy life styles through excellent discussion and use of resources. For example, a keeping well display enables them to relate what they are eating to the healthy snack, and encourages inspiring discussion about how exercise, cleaning their teeth and drinking promote their good health and development. Excellent health practises include children participating in activities such as wiping the table before snack time. Children develop superb independence with their own self-care; they independently use the

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and outcomes for children

toilet and access disposable towel to minimize cross infection after washing their hands. They also learn to blow and wipe their own nose with excellent support and encouragement. They learn the importance of daily exercise which promotes their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very good health. Therefore, they use the excellent range of garden equipment and engage in challenges which support their balancing skills and coordination, such as an egg and spoon race. 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 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 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 1 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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