Childminder in Dorset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429107 Inspection date 21/11/2011 Inspector Mary Daniel

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two young children in a terraced house, situated in Gillingham, Dorset. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, content and respond easily to the childminder's friendly humour. They benefit from the range of exciting play experiences offered, which support their learning and development effectively. The childminder shares daily information about the children with parents, though this does not always focus on children's learning. Children play in a comfortable home where their individuality is respected. The childminder has a reasonably positive approach to making continual improvements to her provision. However, systems of self-evaluation to help identify clearly ways of developing her practice are not fully established.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems of self-evaluation to support the effective monitoring of all aspects of the provision offered and promote ongoing aims for improvement  develop further the information shared with parents on their child's learning to clearly reflect what they learn through their play and how this links with the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted effectively as the childminder is aware of possible safeguarding issues. She has clear procedures in place to follow should any concern arise. Suitable safety prevention measures are in place. For example, locks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 prevent access to kitchen cupboards and stair gates are fitted. The childminder completes and reviews risk assessments effectively. For instance, when they need to take a different path on a routine outing to minimize accidents to children. Clear policies reflecting most aspects of practice are in place and shared with parents. Children benefit from the friendly relationships the childminder forms with their parents, which help them to feel secure in her care. Daily diaries are in use to record children's play activities, although do not yet reflect how these support their development towards the early learning goals. This limits opportunities for parents

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the early years provision

to add contributions about their child's learning. Children receive a welcome in the comfortable, family home. They eagerly play with toys and resources, which are well maintained and easily accessible. This actively promotes children's independent choices in their play. Play areas are organised effectively to enable children to arrange their games as they wish. They stretch out on the carpet to build their train track or play matching games with the childminder. Some toys are available which reflect diversity. For example, books and dressing-up clothes, although ways of promoting diversity through their play are still developing. Local resources are used effectively to support and enhance children's development. For instance, as they visit different toddler groups or attend a nearby children's gymnastic session.

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the early years provision

The childminder implements successful systems to share information on children's developmental needs with other providers they attend. This effectively shows how children are achieving in each setting and provides continuity in how their learning is supported. Improvements have been made by the childminder to her provision since registration. For instance, she now completes clear risk assessments, which promotes children's safety in the home and on outings. This helps to develop steadily the quality of care offered to children, although systems of evaluating all areas of practice are limited.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and enjoy their play. They become absorbed in their imaginary games. For example, they play with small farm and zoo animals, carefully fitting the fences together to create enclosures for the horses. This encourages their control and coordination. Interactive toys support children's understanding of simple technology and their communication as they talk about their games. Children have fun as they visit toddler groups where they meet their friends and join in with the activities. As a result, they are developing their early friendships and social skills. Children's communication is promoted very well as the childminder gently reinforces words and listens carefully to them. They like to listen to a favourite story and talk about the pictures they see. Effective questions from the childminder help the children think for themselves. For instance, as they play an animal domino card game and start to match the pictures together. These

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and outcomes for children

activities support them very well in beginning to solve simple problems. Consequently, their future skills are effectively promoted through their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children concentrate well in their play. For instance, they carefully fit toy worms into a toy strawberry in a game and this encourages their coordination skills very well. This also promotes their awareness of colour as they match up the different coloured worms. Children like to count, for example the number of stairs they climb or the animals on the toy farm. They start to fit the pieces of a number puzzle together, which helps them recognise numbers up to 10. As a result, children begin to develop their early mathematical awareness very well through their play. Children's development is promoted very well as the childminder provides activities they like and which build on their existing abilities. Children

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and outcomes for children

enjoy the friendly, relaxed interaction with the childminder, which supports them in developing confidence. As a result, they are happy to explore the motivating activities offered and develop a natural curiosity in their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their snacks of healthy foods, such as raisins and fruit. They have nutritious evening meals, for instance spaghetti bolognaise or cottage pie. They sometimes go shopping to buy some bananas and use the play food to make their own 'healthy' meals. This effectively helps them develop an awareness of foods that keep them fit and healthy. Children have exciting opportunities to exercise and use up their energy. They go to children's gymnastic sessions where they learn how to control their large body movements. For example, they learn to walk along a balancing beam, roll on a mat or swing on a rope. Children enjoy their local walks and play in a nearby park. Sometimes they go swimming where they wear safety jackets and develop confidence in the water. As a result, they have fun as they build up their physical stamina. Children build strong bonds with the childminder that support them in feeling safe and secure in her care. They know

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and outcomes for children

they must look out for cars and always wait before crossing roads. This helps them learn to keep themselves safe from harm. Children are often praised, which promotes their self-esteem. Consequently, children begin to develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour overall and start to develop an understanding of helping others. 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 3

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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 3 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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