Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337960 Inspection date 06/03/2012 Inspector Barbara Walters

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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 registered in 2006 and lives with her partner and three children in the Abbey Meads area of Swindon. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The childminder works alongside her partner who is a co- childminder. The childminder also offers care to children up to 15 years of age. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-school. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the park and library. She has gained a level 3 qualification in childcare and education.

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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 adequately supports the individual needs of the children in her care through establishing positive relationships with parents. She demonstrates a commitment to maintaining continuous improvement, although an overall self- evaluation of practice is not yet in place. Children receive good support to learn how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides a sound range of activities to support children in making some progress in their learning and development. However, observations do not clearly identify the next steps in children's learning. Overall, the childminder promotes children's welfare appropriately, though she has not yet made strong links with other settings children attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observation and assessment to clearly identify individual children's learning priorities towards the early learning goals  develop more effective links with other settings children attend to promote better continuity in their care and learning  improve the use of self-evaluation, to identify the strengths and priorities for development that will promote outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has established suitable policies and procedures to safeguard children and to provide information for parents. For example, the daily attendance record shows the times of arrival and departure of children and parental consents are maintained. The childminder ensures hazards to children are minimised through a written risk assessment of the home and outings. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection and the procedure to follow if she is concerned about a child in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to increase her knowledge and understanding through continued training. For example, she has completed the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare and education. The childminder has addressed some of the recommendations from the last inspection. For example, she has developed thoughtful systems to share children's activities with parents and produced an informative newsletter. Children now complete regular emergency evacuation procedures, which promotes their welfare. The childminder is able to identify some areas for improvement and recognise her strengths, such as engaging with parents. However, she has not yet put an effective system in place to evaluate all areas of her practice and use it as a working tool. Children play in rooms that are bright, welcoming and child friendly. Children independently choose their own play from the activities on offer. They access a suitable range of

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the early years provision

resources to support their learning and development. Children's photographs and artwork are on display, which promotes their sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents in order to support children's individual needs adequately. For example, she has developed a welcome pack to ensure parents are aware of her roles and responsibilities. Children generally have consistency of care as the childminder shares daily information with parents. Parents comment that the childminder keeps them updated and the children looking forward to attending. The childminder has yet to link with other providers, such as the pre-school the children attend, to integrate their care and education. Children begin to know about their own cultures and those of other children using activities that introduce them to festivals. They begin to learn about diversity through play figures and books that reflect positive images of different children.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear confident and their sense of belonging is developing. Children spend their time in free play and make sufficient progress in their learning. For example, explore the pegboard and begin to make connections with the different coloured pegs and create patterns. Young children are beginning to develop their language as the childminder spends time repeating the name of colours to develop their understanding. Children develop their concentration skills and explore the different sounds of the musical instruments, which they shake in time to the music. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children choose from a range of resources that suitably support them in their learning and development. For example, young children enjoy exploring the remote controlled car and develop an understanding of simple information technology. They concentrate well, pressing the buttons to make the car move

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and outcomes for children

backwards and forwards. Children enjoy regular play and exercise in the fresh air. They visit the park to play ball and develop their climbing and balancing skills on the climbing equipment. The childminder has sufficient understanding of promoting children's progress across the six areas of learning and monitors the children's progress through observation. However, this does not take sufficient account of what children know and can do to enable the childminder to identify the next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of healthy eating. They complete a topic with the childminder on how foods keep you fit and healthy. They take part in games to develop their understanding making good choices in the food they eat. Children learn about effective hygiene routines and need little reminding to wash their hands using the automatic soap dispenser and their own towels. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe. They practise the emergency evacuation routine with the childminder and discuss road safety when they are out. The childminder has a clear understanding about behaviour management and frequently uses praise and encouragement to reward good behaviour and effort. Children begin to develop their understanding of responsible behaviour by helping to clear away their toys and helping to set the table. 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 2 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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