Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY242228 Inspection date 16/11/2011 Inspector Jan Moutter

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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three sons in Morden, Swindon, in Wiltshire. Her husband works as her assistant. The whole of the property is available but mainly downstairs is used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives within walking distance of shops, schools, parks and other amenities. The childminder can take children to and from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two cats.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working alone, she may care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. When working with her assistant, they may care for five children under eight years at any one time, of these three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding four children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. She also minds one older child The childminder is able to provide care before and after school and during school holidays.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, children make good progress in their learning and development in this safe and welcoming family environment. A well-developed knowledge of each child's needs ensures the childminder and her assistant successfully promote children's welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and enjoy learning about the local area and the world around them. The partnerships with parents, the local school and other agencies are a key strength and significant in meeting the needs of the children. Given their age and ability children progress well, however, new recording systems are not fully effective or inclusive. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder and her assistant identifies most priorities for development and these are acted on.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop individual play plans and weekly activity plans to provide a clear link between what is known about a child and current areas for development  provide regular opportunities for parents to add to their child's records and planning of next steps in their learning, for example, contributing to learning journals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children. She is fully aware of possible indicators of children at risk and how to respond to concerns. She maintains a clean and child-friendly home where children can play safely. Effective risk assessments and close supervision further promote children's safety to a high standard. The childminder ensures that parents and her assistant are familiar with her policies and procedures, which promotes consistency in practice. Well-maintained documentation supports the safe and efficient management of the setting. Recommendations from the last inspection regarding fire drills and policies have been addressed.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides an interesting and welcoming play environment where resources are easily accessible. She makes good use of outdoor spaces to enable children to enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has an effective partnership with parents. She finds out about children's individual needs and backgrounds when they first attend. For example, she asks parents of children who speak English as an additional language for keywords in their home language. She takes time to learn these, which effectively supports her communication with the children. She keeps parents well-informed through detailed daily discussions and some parents provide comments in the daily diary books. The childminder is proactive in providing guidance to parents about how they can support their children, such as through positive behaviour management. However, parents do not have regular opportunities to add to their child's records or the planning of next steps in learning. The childminder values information from parents regarding how their children behave and learn at home.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She celebrates the different cultural backgrounds of the children and provides an inclusive environment. The childminder monitors children's development on an informal basis but this does not rigorously track progress in relation to their starting points.

p.5

the early years provision

Effective links are established with schools and nurseries the children attend. All relevant information is shared to ensure continuity and coherence in each child's learning. The childminder evaluates her practice continuously and adapts routines to suit the needs of the children. The childminder recognises strengths and weaknesses and with support from the local childcare support worker reviews how she can enhance her practice. Both the childminder and her assistant have attended various short training courses. The childminder recognises that updating her knowledge on streamlining assessment systems, would benefit herself and the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children develop a good relationship with the childminder and show a strong sense of security. They are confident in exploring the environment and show a positive approach to learning. The childminder and her assistant are a team and provide a very positive family environment. The childminder's strong commitment to celebrating and valuing children's cultural backgrounds effectively helps them to develop positive attitudes to others

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of how to keep safe and healthy. They regularly practise road safety and talk sensitively about 'stranger danger'. Children learn to keep in view of the childminder when on outings and are part of the family. For example, when asked a child stated 'all hold hands when we cross the road'. Children spend plenty of time outdoors each day to exercise and enjoy the fresh air. They engage in a wide range of physical play activities in the garden, such as ball games, as well as outings to the local park and woods. Children follow good hygiene routines and are provided with a choice of food items from home. The childminder encourages children to eat their snack and lunches, making healthy choices in what to eat first. Young children are familiar with the nappy changing routines. Older children learn to wash their hands carefully when they come in from outside and after using the toilet.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and secure the skills for the future. With close support from the childminder they learn to share. For example, when playing shops one child operates the till and another the trolley and they divide the money between the till and the purse. Children enjoy looking at cards depicting numbers, letters and animals. With the childminder's encouragement they begin to count and recognise initial sounds. They draw on the wipe clean surfaces, giving meaning to the marks they make. All children enjoy a wide range of activities. They develop a good understanding of nature as they go blackberry picking and make sandwiches with their home-grown tomatoes. They enjoy regular trips to drop-in groups and parks to extend their social and physical skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder manages children's behaviour well, with her calm and patient approach. The children respond to her guidance and have friendly exchanges with her, confidently seeking her reassurance from time to time. The children make choices when the childminder suggests games and they enjoy exploring the room independently. Their skills with simple technology are developing well. They experiment with a wide range of electronic toys by turning dials, pushing, pulling, lifting flaps and pressing buttons.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children benefit from a balanced day with a mix of adult led and child initiated activities. Activities are based on children's interests and they join in enthusiastically. The childminder targets specific areas for development based on their capabilities. The childminder observes and assesses children's progress on an informal basis. She assesses children's progress using some useful reference material and discussing progress with her assistant. However, planning does not show a clear link between what is known about the child and areas for current This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. The childminder has tested a system for assessing observations but this is not currently in use. Children join in fully and explore their surroundings confidently. They clearly benefit from attending and make good progress. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9