Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY233869 Inspection date 25/11/2011 Inspector Sara Frost

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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 grown up sons in Ivybridge. The whole of the ground floor, including a dedicated playroom, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also provides care for one child over five before and after school. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends various groups within the area. She has an Early Years Foundation Degree and is a member of the Ivybridge childminding group.

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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 knows the children well and organises resources to aid and plans to promote their learning well overall. Children are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's welcoming family home. Partnerships with parents are significant in ensuring that children's individual needs are well met although partnerships with other providers are developing. Children's safety is promoted well and most documentation used to support children's welfare is in place. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and identified aspects she wishes to develop to improve the childminding services she provides. She is enthusiastic to continue obtaining further qualifications.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop assessments and planning to clearly show identified next steps for children's progress which can then be measured against their achievements  develop systems to liaise with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for children to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care  extend the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are good. The childminder has a good understanding of what to do in the event that she has any concerns about a child in her care. All adults in the household have undertaken relevant suitability checks, and records are kept of visitors to the childminder's home when minded children are present. Children are kept safe as the childminder regularly undertakes risk assessments to check for potential hazards and records these. While she is aware of the risks associated with routine outings these have not been included in her record of risk assessment. Children demonstrate a good awareness of safety and enjoy participating in regular fire drills where they learn about fire safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised allowing children to move freely and safely between rooms. The interesting range of resources and toys provided are in good condition and are in children's easy reach. This provides children with lots of choices in their play. Children benefit from good opportunities to develop a positive respect and understanding of the diversity of people in the community through use of a good range of toys and resources, and through discussions and role play. The childminder reflects on her practice and the effectiveness of her provision. The childminder demonstrates an accurate awareness of her strengths and has identified areas for future development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has been childminding for a considerable time and uses her experience and knowledge gained over this period very well. She has established good relationships with all parents and effective processes of sharing information help contribute towards consistent care and support for each child's individual needs. Parents and the childminder share children's development verbally and in written format. She has carried out observations which link to the early learning goals and identified next steps in their learning; however these are not in place for all children. Partnerships with other providers have been initiated and some useful information is shared to effectively promote continuity of care. Currently the childminder only gains limited information about children's progress and learning in the other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely confident in the childminder's care. Those feeling under the weather comfortably snuggle into the childminder for reassuring cuddles. Children have established positive relationships both with the childminder and each other and are learning to share and work together. For instance children are gently reminded to be careful when playing near others or of the need to take turns when using electronic resources. Children have very good opportunities to develop their own play and spontaneous learning as they choose what they wish to play with. Their imaginative play is fostered extremely well and the childminder provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 additional support to extend their play further. For example, when engaging in role play about 'going on holiday' children talk about modes of transport and then create their own tickets for the train journey from a good selection of readily

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and outcomes for children

available resources. The childminder ensures all children are fully included, giving additional support to younger children so that they can fully participate. Children are confident communicators and chat away to each other and the childminder as they play. Their sense of belonging is fostered well as they know, for example the pastry in the kitchen is to make jam tarts.

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and outcomes for children

Everyday routines are effectively used to develop children's mathematical understanding. For example, children count the number of satsuma pips and recognise if two more are found it would make 10. The childminder relates various shapes to aid children's own drawing of a train, such as, a rectangle shape makes the body of the engine and a circle for the face. Children take themselves off into the quiet designated area to independently read and look at various books. Books are used effectively by the childminder to aid as reference points as children seek pictures of trains to copy and trace. The childminder skilfully aids children to problem solve for themselves as they work out the right amount of paper needed to wrap up a book for polar bear's present. They develop an awareness of growth as they save pips to dry out and plant at a later date. Children discuss with the childminder the best way to achieve growth, whether in the cold, in the garden soil

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and outcomes for children

or indoors in small pots where it is warm. They are learning to share toys and take turns which helps develop important social skills for the future. Art and craft activities and celebrations are incorporated into the planning to aid children's awareness of their local environment and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow good hygiene routines and are provided with a choice of food items brought from home. The childminder encourages children to eat their snack and lunches making healthy choices when choosing what to eat first. Children benefit from the good range of activities planned to provide fresh air and exercise. 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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