Childminder in South GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 18 Jan 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431433 Inspection date 18/01/2012 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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five years in Kingswood, South Gloucester. Most areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two 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. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age range and one child 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 toddler groups, parks and soft play centres. She takes children to and collects from local pre-schools, nurseries and schools.

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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

The childminder's secure understanding of children's individual needs enables her to promote their welfare and safety. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge overall of how she promotes children's learning and development. However, her system of assessment is not sufficiently developed and she does not fully promote children's awareness of diversity. All required documentation is maintained accurately. The childminder builds sound relationships with parents and other early years providers, but these do not sufficiently focus on children's learning and development. The childminder has begun to reflect upon her practice, however, this has not yet had a significant impact upon the outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates satisfactory capacity for, and commitment to, 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 the use of observation and assessment to clearly identify children's next steps in learning in order to plan activities that offer suitable challenges  develop further the two-way flow of information with parents and other early years providers regarding children's starting points and ongoing progress and development, to promote a shared approach to children's care, learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development  extend the range of resources that reflect diversity and offer regular experiences for children to understand diversity and celebrate aspects of their own and others diverse cultural backgrounds  develop further systems for monitoring and evaluating practice to identify strengths and areas for development.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are appropriate. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures she should follow if she has a concern about a child. All required records relating to children are appropriate and shared with parents. Daily visual checks, regular monitoring of safety equipment such as smoke detectors, and appropriate risk assessments mean that children are cared for safely and securely within the home and on outings. Children make choices from easily accessible good quality toys and games. The childminder's secure understanding of children's individual needs enable her to promote their welfare and safety. Children gain an awareness of their local community through their social experiences. There are few resources that reflect the diversity of the wider world or opportunities to take part in activities that reflect their own and others'

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. They know about her practice through written policies and a display of information, such as the Ofsted contact number and safeguarding policy. Parents share what they know about their children through discussion. This dialogue ensures children's individual needs are met and supported appropriately overall. However, these discussions do not focus sufficiently on children's learning and development. Initial links with other early years providers that children attend are in place. These are not well established so as to bring about a shared approach to promoting children's achievements and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to reflect upon the quality of her provision and practice since registration. She has extended resources that reflect children's interests such as an easel and white board for mark making. She reflects upon her use of documentation through discussion with the early years advisor. She has identified future training to develop her practice, knowledge and understanding. These include communication skills and safeguarding. The childminder demonstrates satisfactory capacity and commitment to continuous improvement so as to bring about positive outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and secure with the childminder because she forms close attachments with them and meets their individual needs generally well. Parents are very appreciative of the care given and activities offered to their children. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a sound understanding of how children learn and develop overall. She has started to observe what children know and do, and links these to the areas of learning. Her system of assessment however, is not wholly secure as she does not gain information that is sufficiently focused on children's development when they first start. She also does not yet make effective use of observations. Observations are not used to evaluate and clearly identify children's next steps in learning or used to offer suitable challenges across all areas of learning. As a result, children's achievements are not tracked effectively from their initial starting points and next

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and outcomes for children

steps in development are not effectively planned for. Children choose resources that interest them and happily play table top games that promote listening skills, turn taking, sharing and cooperative play. As a result, children develop skills for the future. They recognise number correctly on counters and count accurately as they play the game. Children's language is supported as they repeat specific words. They talk about events in their day and friendship groups. Children happily chatter with each other as they make marks on a white board using a variety of coloured pens. Children participate in creative play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy fresh air when walking to and from school, visits to local parks and play in the back garden. They develop co-ordination, climbing and balance skills using a suitable range of equipment. They drink water when thirsty from easily accessible cups and enjoy balanced and nutritious home-prepared meals such as shepherd's pie. Children's understanding of how they keep themselves safe is promoted well on the whole. Children practise evacuation procedures from within the home. Reminders to look for traffic when crossing roads sufficiently promotes children's understanding. Children behave well in the childminder's care, responding to her regular praise and calm, consistent manner. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

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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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