Childminder in North Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349028 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector Debbie Starr

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and five years in Portishead, North Somerset. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time; of these, no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group and four within the age range of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities, including childminding and toddler groups, parks, woods, soft play centres and theatre. She takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-

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Description of the childminding

schools. The childminder is an accredited childminder and accepts funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years.

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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 effectively identifies plans and meets the individual needs of children in her care, enabling her to promote their welfare and development well overall. Children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder builds positive partnerships with parents and other early years providers that children attend, but these do not sufficiently focus on children's learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Generally, effective self-evaluation enables the childminder's capacity to target well-chosen areas for development to bring about further improvement to the provision. However, this has failed to identify one breach of the specific legal requirements.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/12/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the two-way flow of information with parents and all other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 early years providers regarding children's ongoing progress and development, to promote a shared approach to children's care, learning and development  make better use of the process of self-evaluation so that procedures are fully effective and support outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Robust arrangements are in place so that all adults in the household have undergone suitable vetting procedures. Children are safeguarded well. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures she should follow if she has a concern about a child. Comprehensive risk assessments on all areas of her home and outings help ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Hazards are clearly identified and minimised by the childminder. Most required records and documentation are well maintained, organised and shared with parents. Children's health needs are given a high priority overall. However, written parental permission prior to administering prescribed medication has not been obtained. This is a breach of the statutory requirements. Verbal consent, however, is obtained from parents. Therefore, the impact on children is minimal. Children easily access a wide range of well

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the early years provision

organised, high quality toys and resources that reflect their interests and support their play and learning. Frequent visits to places of interest, such as toddler groups, parks, woods and the theatre, well promote children's awareness of their local community. The childminder has a good knowledge of individual children's backgrounds and needs overall. Children's understanding of diversity and the wider world is promoted well through a varied range of interesting and authentic resources and well planned, regular activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents, who are very appreciative of the care given. The childminder works collaboratively with them so that children's individual needs are supported and well met. Parents are informed of her practice through discussion, written policies and display of information, such as the Ofsted contact number. Information about children's well-being throughout the day is shared through a daily diary. Parents access their children's learning diaries and are informed of future, planned priorities in learning. Discussion, however, does not focus sufficiently on children's learning and development so that parents are actively involved in their child's ongoing learning. The childminder establishes links with other early years providers that children attend. An ongoing exchange of information about children's next steps in learning is established with most other settings. Consequently, the shared approach to children's care, learning

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the early years provision

and development is not effectively developed.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to her continuous improvement through effective self-evaluation that is well targeted in most areas of her practice. She is committed to developing her understanding of early years through training, discussion with colleagues and advice given by the local early years advisor. For example, she undertakes training to develop and improve her understanding of the assessment process for children's development. This has had a significant impact upon her evaluation of children's achievements and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identification of their learning priorities. As a result, the outcomes for children are good. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed fully. Future areas for improvement are clearly identified through her use of the local authority, self-evaluation, audit tool. These include, safeguarding training to

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the early years provision

update her knowledge and Forest School training to enhance children's outside, play experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported sensitively when settling in and, as a result, are secure, happy and confident because the childminder knows them well. They make good progress, because the childminder uses her observations of what children know and do to clearly identify and individually plan for their next steps in learning. Discussion and information gained when children first start contributes effectively to this process of assessment. Children's emerging language is fostered effectively. This is achieved through good eye contact, frequent repetition of sounds and words, singing, introduction of rhythm using a light-response drum and story telling. Children show curiosity and are eager to explore. They listen and develop effective problem solving skills; they repeat what they have observed and effectively work out how to operate a wide range of press response toys. Messy play activities both within the home and at the local childminding group provide

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and outcomes for children

plenty of sensory and creative opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of good healthy lifestyles through daily opportunities to be in the fresh air on walks or in the garden. Visits to local parks and soft play centres extend opportunities for physical play. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy snacks and access drinks throughout the day from their own drinking beakers. Their understanding of healthy choices is enhanced. They eat vegetables they have grown themselves and participate in a wide variety of cookery activities. From a young age, children are supported well through consistent routines to develop an awareness and understanding of good hygiene. Children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe is effectively promoted, for example, through regular practice of the evacuation procedures. They have ongoing discussion about personal safety when on outings and the wearing of wrist bands and high visibility tabards when out of the home. Children's confidence

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and outcomes for children

and self-esteem increase due to the frequent praise and the consistent and calm approach of the childminder. Children's work is displayed and valued. They are supported well to understand what is expected of them and their positive behaviour and achievements are celebrated with stickers and certificates. Children's behaviour is good. They listen and follow instructions and are supported to take turns and play cooperatively. Consequently, children develop good skills for the future. 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Records to be kept) 15/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report. (Records to be kept) 15/12/2011

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