Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY341757 Inspection date 27/02/2012 Inspector Karen Prager

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 was registered in November 2006 and lives in the Toothill area of Swindon, Wiltshire. She lives with her husband and two school age children. An older adult daughter returns to the home periodically. The family keeps tropical fish and has two lizards. All the downstairs rooms are available for childminding, with one upstairs bedroom being used for babies to sleep or for children to play under supervision. Children also have access to the upstairs bathroom.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The childminder offers care for children all year round. The childminder is also registered on the both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school and lives within walking distance of the local pre-school. The childminder regularly visits local play parks and shops. The childminder holds a level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare.

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

Children are happy and settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. The childminder works closely children's parents and others who share the care of the children. Children's individual welfare, learning and development needs are met well, so all make good progress overall. A generally good range of resources is available to the children. The childminder is committed to develop best practice and shows good capacity to improve.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend planning to include how you will support children's next steps in learning and development  develop the garden area to offer safe and varied free play.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder effectively safeguards children as she recognises that their safety is of paramount importance. Risk assessment records are thorough and she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identifies potential risks to children and promptly minimises them effectively. The childminder has recently attended training on the safe use of car seats and training to consolidate her knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Board procedures. This ensures that she has a clear knowledge of the steps to take should she have a concern about a child in her care. All required documentation is kept accessibly, should it be needed, and is fully maintained, providing an accurate record of the children cared for. Arrangements have been made with local registered childminders to provide emergency care if needed, with full consent of parents.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a strong drive to improve her knowledge of childcare and regularly attends training courses. She has recently completed a level 3 qualification in Home Based Childcare and has also attended workshops about supporting children's speech and language development. The childminder works with local childminders to reflect and improve on her practice and has adopted high quality paperwork which supports her childminding practice. The childminder keeps a clear set of policies and shares these with parents so they are aware of what she provides.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well, recognising children's differing backgrounds and providing appropriately for their particular needs. Children are beginning to understand that people are different by developing an understanding of festivals and events from their own cultures and those of others. The childminder has organised her home and resources to be welcoming and available to all children. The entrance area has welcome notices and essential information for parents including the registration certificate. Some resources are stored within easy reach and additional toys are stored upstairs and access with support from the childminder. A book containing photos of they toys is displayed which enables children to chose what they would like to play with. Children play in the front garden under close supervision from the childminder, to ensure they stay safe. The back garden is not currently included in the registration, though the

p.5

the early years provision

childminder has plans to develop this area to be an appropriate play space.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder builds well established partnerships with other providers who support children's care and development. They share written communication and discuss children's progress on a regular basis. The childminder uses the information gained to help children's learning. The childminder and parents clearly value the part that each other play in supporting the child's development. The childminder talks with parents on a daily basis and the daily diary.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children appear happy and settled in the care of this welcoming childminder. They chat in a relaxed manor with adults and each other, talking about what they are doing and linking activities to their home life. The children know the children and their families' well which enables her to develop the conversations appropriately. The childminder encourages clear speech emphasising the correct pronunciation of the word 'vanilla' when they talk about ice-cream. The childminder observes the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children on a continual basis and regularly notes observations and tracks the progress that they are making. She notes areas of development that she will extend. Some planning of activities is in place though the childminder does not consistently consider how she will support children's next steps in learning and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children regularly practise what they would do if there was a fire in the home and come to know the routine they would follow. They know the boundaries they need to keep when playing outside and that they must stay close to the childminder when they are walking round the local area. The childminder uses local play parks, and provides opportunities, such as bikes and scooters for large physical play. These frequent outings provide children with plenty of fresh air and exercise and the childminder helps children to understand the benefits of physical exercise. Children learn about their local community and the wider world through regular trips and visits. They enjoy activities which develop their knowledge of how different people live. Children learn about the changing seasons. They are encouraged to check to see if it is sunny or cloudy or raining when they arrive at the start of the day and enjoy selecting a picture to show the current weather. The

p.6

and outcomes for children

childminder liaises with parents so that children eat a range of healthy foods. Children sit together at snack time and discuss the different fruit they are eating.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the interests of the different children who attend. She places crayons and pictures ready on the table and young children develop skill in controlling the pencils as they colour. Children competently negotiate the space; they wriggle under the table to pick up a crayon they have dropped. Children select electronic toys and spend some time watching as the lights flash and selecting songs to sing along to. They hold the microphone and dance enthusiastically to the music playing. Children behave very well. They readily share the toys and copy each other as they play, clearly enjoying each other's company. The consistent praise and support encourages children to be thoughtful and children develop a good level of self esteem. They are encouraged to reflect on how they are feeling and use books to consider how others might be feeling. 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.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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.7

Stage

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

p.7

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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8