Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436737 Inspection date 07/03/2012 Inspector Sarah Williams

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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 three children aged 15, seven and one year in a house in Colchester, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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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. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range, all on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 offers a warm and homely environment where children play and learn in safety. Children are happy and confident and play cooperatively. Inclusive practice is promoted well because the childminder treats all the children as individuals and she provides well for their diverse family backgrounds. The provision is well-organised, enabling children to make good progress in their learning. However, currently parents' comments and ideas are not fully incorporated in the planning. The childminder has started to complete a formal self evaluation document and shows she has a good capacity to identify improvements and sustain the good standards that she has established.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the garden to offer outdoor learning opportunities across all areas of learning  consider ways of incorporating parents' comments and ideas into the planning for individual children, to meet their various needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and procedure based on guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She keeps children under close supervision and protects them from unvetted adults. Written risk assessments cover all aspects of the setting, including outings, helping to keep children safe in the home or when out and about. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise the emergency evacuation plan and are told about road safety. All the required documentation is very well presented and shared appropriately with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Relationships with parents are warm and friendly. The childminder gathers information about children's preferences and abilities before they attend, enabling her to effectively meet each child's needs. Daily conversations with parents keep them well-informed about routines and activities, enabling them to share in their

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the early years provision

children's experiences in the setting. However, currently parents do not routinely record their comments or contribute to children's development profiles. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of partnership working and exchanges information daily with reception teachers when she collects children. The childminder is ambitious and proactive in seeking out training and any new information which will benefit the children and improve outcomes. She seeks out local resources and places of interest to take the children She welcomes advice from the Early Years Advisory Service and seeks parents' and children's views regularly. All are very positive in their feedback and happy with the level of service provided.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the provision well. Rooms used by the minded children are bright and welcoming, with named coat pegs and colourful posters to make them feel at home. Resources are age appropriate and set out at low level, encouraging the children to be independent and make decisions about their play. The childminder is watchful but unobtrusive, supporting the children as they play, engaging them in conversation and helping them with their activities. Although there are no children on roll with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the childminder understands her role in supporting all children and using the help of outside professionals as necessary. Children who have English as an additional language are supported well: the childminder is able to provide a range of books and other resources that reflect their diverse cultural heritages.

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and outcomes for children

All children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder knows them well as individuals. She takes time to settle them and maintains close links with their families. The childminder makes good use of photographs and keeps samples of children's work to help her record children's achievements and plan for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home: her very good organisation enables all children to enjoy activities and toys and be active learners. For example, babies enjoy playing with treasure baskets and are encouraged to explore the different textures and sounds. Children can use the role play kitchen to cook up imaginary meals and older children are inspired to draw their ideas for developing the garden play areas and vegetable growing plots. The childminder's own children are very much part of the provision and contribute positively to the warm, family atmosphere. Behaviour is good as children are encouraged to play and explore freely, choosing their toys and activities. Children visit the library to develop their love of books and attend various activity groups to develop social skills, and enjoy mixing with other children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of the local environment, collecting cones and items from nature to create artwork and study bugs at close quarters. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis, and the garden is safe and secure, with exciting plans to expand the play and learning opportunities, such as growing and harvesting vegetables. Children enjoy fresh fruit and croissants or toast for snacks and are encouraged to take an active part in food preparation, for instance, choosing which yogurt they have after lunch. Children learn good habits as they are helped to wash their hands before they eat and have appropriate nappy changing routines, helping to prevent cross infection. All areas of the home are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and safety, providing children with a safe and hygienic place to play and be cared for. 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 2 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: 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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