Childminder in Bath and North East SomersetOfsted inspection, 27 Feb 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY368631 Inspection date 27/02/2012 Inspector Michelle Tuck

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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 2008. She lives with her husband, and her daughter aged six years in Radstock, Somerset. Children have access to the ground floor of the childminder's house which includes a lounge, conservatory and kitchen. There is a bedroom on the first floor which is used for sleep times. There is a garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats, three hamsters and 11 hens. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years; of these three may be in the early years age group, and of these one may be under one year at any one time. She is currently minding six children 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely well cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming family home, where they are highly valued as individuals. Children are involved in a broad range of purposeful activities, both inside and out, that helps them make excellent progress in all areas of their development. The childminder makes rigorous and thoughtful self-evaluations of her practice to maintain very high standards and continuous improvement. Children's individual care and learning needs are met to a high standard by the childminder who has established excellent partnerships with their parents and carers overall.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing parents' involvement in their children's learning by introducing 'rhyme time' bags for parents to share with their children at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has highly effective systems in place to assure children's safety and well-being. She has an excellent understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children. Policies, procedures and records are extremely well organised and up to date to secure the safe and efficient management of her provision. The childminder carries out comprehensive risk assessments to provide a safe environment for children to play and explore both in the home and on outings. She keeps her knowledge up to date by attending training, and has a robust system to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 record children's existing injuries as routine. All this fully helps to protect children from harm.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an extensive range of toys and equipment, which is arranged so that children make spontaneous choices to extend their own play and learning. The childminder makes excellent use of the local area to enhance children's learning outside the home, such as going for nature walks or attending children's groups. Children develop a positive attitude to people's differences through the exemplary example set by the childminder as they meet a range of people in various situations. The resources they use in the home reflect positive images of diversity, which includes various backgrounds, cultures and disabilities. The childminder effectively promotes equality and diversity, truly valuing the children as individuals, consequently, the outcomes for children and their experiences are extremely positive.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to driving and securing improvements to her provision. She attends on-going training, to update her knowledge and skills. She has highly successful systems to evaluate the quality of provision. For example, she regularly seeks the views of parents and their children. In addition, children's learning is evaluated to help ensure they make very good progress in all areas. As a result, standards of care and education are continually being improved to the benefit of those attending.

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the early years provision

Excellent working relationships are established with parents, which helps children to settle well and keep parents fully involved in their child's learning. The childminder gains valuable information from parents before children attend, to help her plan to meet their needs and support their progress right from the start. Parents engage in ongoing discussions which help to ensure they are fully aware of events in their child's day and help them to share in children's experiences once they get home. Parents take home books and resources to share with their children and this helps them to become involved in their child' learning. This excellent practice has not been fully extended to include parents borrowing 'rhyme bags' to share with their children at home. The childminder regularly shares children's learning journeys, which include observations and photographs detailing children's progress and development, with parents and invites their comments and

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the early years provision

observations. This helps her to plan future activities and events that reflect children's interests and support their individual learning and development. The childminder has developed excellent links with other professionals involved in children's development and other settings children attend, ensuring a consistent approach to support each individual child.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in a caring and stimulating environment where they are highly valued as individuals. They are very happy, settled and secure in the care of their childminder. Children develop a strong sense of belonging as they talk about photographs of themselves and their friends displayed in the childminder's home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children form an exceptionally strong bond with the childminder as she dedicates her time to supporting their individual needs. She is both enthusiastic and sensitive in her approach, adapting the way she interacts with each child to make sure they feel included and valued. As they participate in activities and routines the childminder chats to the children, explaining what they are doing and why, which helps children to feel secure. They smile as they confidently answer her questions about what colours they see in an apple, or correctly count the pieces of fruit onto

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and outcomes for children

their plate. They receive regular praise and encouragement for effort and achievement, which helps boost their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and successfully transfers her teaching skills to the childminding environment. She completes detailed observations of children's play and achievements, which she uses effectively to plan support for each child's future development. Her high quality interaction in children's activities helps them make significant progress in their overall development. Children participate enthusiastically in a broad range of purposeful activities, both adult-led and self- initiated. They are motivated and enjoy their learning as they engage in role play and are keen to help the childminder prepare their own snack. Children make excellent progress in all areas and develop valuable skills to support their future learning. For example, children use words such as 'big' and 'small' when talking about the fish in the tank and the childminder extends the children's vocabulary by

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and outcomes for children

introducing words such as 'reflecting' when talking about the light inside the fish tank. Children's speech and language skills develop well through meaningful discussions and they are challenged to think about their learning and choose their own activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an extremely healthy lifestyle. They practice some thorough routines for personal hygiene, which includes washing hands before handling food. They talk about oral hygiene and the importance of cleaning their teeth and take part in activities such as discussing which toppings are healthy and unhealthy to go on a pizza. The childminder is vigilant in observing children's health needs and works closely with parents and other professionals to promote outstanding outcomes. Children have daily fresh air and exercise; they play in the childminder's garden and make visits to play parks. They make choices from healthy options at mealtimes and learn about healthy eating from good example and discussion. Children develop skills of independence in practical activities, such as chopping their own fruit and vegetables. Through everyday activities, children learn about safety. They practice road crossing on daily walks and regularly take part in fire

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and outcomes for children

drills, which are recorded, with all children taking part. Children feel very safe and secure within the childminder's care. They demonstrate this through the warm and trusting relationships established with peers and the childminder, their confident exploration and independence. Children are very well behaved and polite. They often say 'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted and understand the consistent boundaries and expectations which are often there to keep them safe. The childminder provides consistent support to help children learn how their behaviour may affect others and praises and encourages their kindness and thoughtfulness, which they display consistently. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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