Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY278895 Inspection date 15/11/2011 Inspector Marie Thompson

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 2004. She lives with her two children aged nine and seven years in a residential area on the western side of Exeter. Her home is within walking distance of schools and other local amenities. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group. Children have access to the whole house and the enclosed rear garden. The family has two rabbits as pets.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel settled and secure in the childminder's home and develop warm and caring relationships with her. Their safety is a priority and effective systems are implemented to keep them safe at all times. Overall, children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development but assessment and planning are not fully developed. The childminder has a suitable range of toys though resources and activities which reflect cultural diversity and the wider world are limited. Inclusive practice is fostered as she has effective partnerships with parents and carers and a sound knowledge of children to satisfactorily meet their individual needs. The childminder does not have robust systems to identify all areas for development, but demonstrates an appropriate capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend the programme for knowledge and understanding of the world by providing further activities and resources that help children learn about cultural diversity and the wider world  implement a regular process of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop the observation and assessment systems in order to clearly track children's progress and plan their next steps in learning.

p.4

the early years provision

Safeguarding is given good attention as the childminder is fully aware of her duty to protect children in her care. The childminder has detailed safeguarding procedures that cover reporting procedures and this information is shared with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents. Children play safely in this welcoming environment because the childminder is vigilant and supervises them well. The childminder maintains comprehensive risk assessments of the areas used in the home and for outings. She completes daily checks of the play areas and all toys and resources are in good condition. Fire drills are practised to enable children to know what to do in the event of an emergency.

p.4

the early years provision

Children have access to a satisfactory variety of resources and materials to support their play, learning and development. They independently making choices about resources and activities; they are able to freely move around the play room, making decisions about their play. Children's art work is displayed around the room, which gives them a sense of belonging. There are some toys which reflect cultural diversity and the wider world, although these are limited. Therefore, children's understanding of diversity and view of the wider world is not effectively promoted.

p.5

the early years provision

Good partnerships with parents support children's placements. Parents see the daily diaries and are also informed on a daily basis how their child has been and what they have been doing. The childminder is flexible with parents over the times children are minded and she respects their wishes. She ensures that younger children's individual routines are appropriately met. Comprehensive documentation meets the legal requirements and suitably supports children's care. The childminder demonstrates a sound commitment to ongoing improvement and has appropriately implemented recommendations from the last inspection to improve outcomes for children. She generally reflects on her practice to identify strengths and areas for development. However, the systems currently in place to evaluate her practice are not sufficiently robust or maintained to identify all areas for improvement. The childminder, currently, does not care for any child attending

p.5

the early years provision

another setting. She is aware of the requirements to build links and share information around children's development within other early years settings that children attend.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure because the childminder is friendly, warm and attentive to their needs. They suitably develop their physical skills in daily play in the garden with a selection of outside toys and materials, such as ride-ons and sand. They clearly have lots of fun as they bounce higher and higher on the trampoline to the cheers from the childminder, praising their achievement. The large, climbing frame and swings provide further opportunities for them to extend their physical play; they are adept at going up the steps and whizzing down the slide. In the sand pit, children dig and look for toy animals hidden in the sand and show obvious delight when they are able to find them. Children of different ages can access equipment that provides challenges for their growing abilities and skills for the future. They show a good awareness of simple safety rules for using equipment, such as the trampoline. Children enjoy regular visits to the park where

p.5

and outcomes for children

they can access a greater range of apparatus. They regularly attend toddler groups This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to experience a different range of activities and develop their social skills with children of a similar age.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children begin to gain an understanding about healthy eating. Parents currently provide their child's main meals and snacks and the childminder prepares and serves these according to the parents' wishes. The childminder offers drinks throughout the day to ensure that children do not become thirsty. The childminder sits with the children as they play, encouraging them to complete tasks. Children's behaviour is sensitively managed, taking into account their age and stage of development. Children behave appropriately and receive plenty of praise and encouragement. The childminder is suitably skilful in promoting positive behaviour and giving clear instructions and reminders as necessary.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder satisfactorily completes observations and assessment on each child to support their learning and development. Children's progress is reflected in their scrapbooks, which include delightful photographs and observations for parents to share. However, a clear system has not been fully established to track children's progress and to plan for their next steps. Children frequently explore a variety of resources to develop their problem solving and creative skills, for example, painting, play dough and sticking. They have fun squeezing dough through different moulds to see what shape it will become. After the activity, they help the childminder to tidy up and wipe the small table ready for the next toys. Children appropriately learn through their senses as they take part in cooking activities and enjoy making many, edible delights. Children are able to freely access toys that foster their thinking, including construction and imaginative toys.

p.6

and outcomes for children

They are happily engaged in their play as they dress dolls and make 'tea' for the childminder and then climb onto a large, fluffy, toy horse to go for a 'ride'. 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 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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