Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363352 Inspection date 13/03/2012 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 16 and eight years. They live in a house in Benhall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom are used for childminding, the conservatory is used as a playroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, which is not on the premises during childminding hours.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding eight children in this age group, all attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-school to take and collect children. She attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 has a good awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively implements all requirements. Overall, the childminder shares good information with parents, which ensures she meets children's individual needs and no child is disadvantaged. Consequently, all children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder gives children's safety the highest priority and children develop an outstanding awareness of safe and healthy practices. The childminder attends regular training as recommended at her last inspection and most systems of self-evaluation ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the sharing of information with parents in the assessments, to include children's developmental starting points and other providers' contributions  review the system of self-evaluation regularly in order to identify more accurately the priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all 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 shares clear policies and procedures with parents and highly effectively implements them to safeguard children. The excellent organisation of robust documentation helps to protect and promote children's welfare. The childminder takes all reasonable steps to ensure that children are safe indoors and out. She carries out excellent risk assessments and maintains an accurate record of all actions taken to minimise risks. The childminder attends regular training on safeguarding children and has an excellent awareness of procedures. She keeps Ofsted informed of any significant changes so they can carry out appropriate checks. Extensive consent forms ensure the childminder meets parents' wishes and protects children's welfare. Children regularly practice the emergency evacuation procedures and display an excellent awareness of safety procedures. The childminder protects the younger children's health through exemplary nappy

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to continuous improvement. She is developing good systems of self-evaluation, which include an accurate analysis of her strengths and some actions for development. Although she does not review this frequently to use as the basis for ongoing reflection, the childminder attends training to improve her practice. For example, following a workshop on storytelling she now uses a wide range of props to engage all children and promote a love of books. The childminder seeks parents' feedback on a regular basis and reviews her practice following a consultation with the local authority advisers. She regularly attends network meetings to keep up to date with good practice and current legislation.

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the early years provision

Children access a good range of appropriate toys and resources, both indoors and out. Good resources promote a positive awareness of diversity. The childminder maintains her equipment in good condition and uses them effectively to support children's learning and development. Children have good access to an extensive range of books, which the childminder deploys very effectively. Through recent training, the childminder has a very positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. Every child has equal opportunities to reach their full potential through access to appropriate equipment and interaction. The childminder makes good use of the local community to promote children's interests and extend their learning. For example, a trip to the railway station promotes all areas of development through one child's interest in trains.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes gradual settling-in to get to know the children. Good communication with parents includes daily diaries and verbal feedback. This enables the childminder to meet children's individual welfare and learning needs effectively. Discussions with parents provide the childminder with some information on children's initial abilities. However, this information is not currently included in the assessments. Parents' comments at the inspection include how good communication enables them to help with their child's development at home. They describe the childminder as an amazing role model with a calm manner that puts everyone at ease. The childminder is developing good relationships with the local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nursery, which some children attend. This enables her to work in partnership when planning for children's development. However, their contributions are not included

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the early years provision

in the assessments to share with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, settled and happy in the childminder's home. The childminder values children as individuals and effectively supports them in developing a positive attitude to diversity. They access a good range of resources and experiences to help support this. For example, they enjoy listening to cultural music and making their own instruments. Children are encouraged to be thoughtful and to help each other in being included in all activities. They help take care of the environment and tidy up the equipment. The childminder promotes very positive behaviour. She is very calm and uses distraction with younger children. She praises children for sharing and when they display appropriate behaviour, which enables them to understand right from wrong..

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carries out regular observations of each child, providing written and photographic evidence to share with parents. She tracks children's progress and identifies their next stages of development. The childminder promotes children's learning through their own interests. Consequently, they enjoy their learning. The childminder provides good interaction, encouraging children to look for clues to solve problems and communicate their understanding. When children initiate their own learning, the childminder provides additional resources to move their learning on. For example, she provides a box of small world toys and accessories for children playing with a train track. They then talk about signal boxes and the role of all the people.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators and enjoy a wide range of books. The childminder uses books with props everyday to promote children's imagination, enable them to recall familiar events and develop literacy skills. They are inquisitive and enjoy investigating resources, promoting their skills for the future. Children develop good listening skills as the childminder encourages them to describe what they can hear. The childminder encourages children to do as much as they can for themselves but provides just the right amount of support to enable them to achieve. She makes good use of impromptu situations, such as the refuge collectors arriving. This leads children to confidently describe what is happening and why.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an excellent awareness of developing a safe and healthy lifestyle. On the many outings organised by the childminder children learn about road safety and keeping themselves safe. They have excellent opportunities to be outside in the garden and in the community. Children learn to climb safely and take responsibility for their own actions. Young children spontaneously sing songs about washing their hands and understand why they do this before eating. Drinking water is available at all times and consequently children do not get thirsty. Children thoroughly enjoy being active and have an excellent awareness of dressing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriately for the weather. Out in the garden, they enthusiastically fill and empty the watering cans, sort seashells and manoeuvre ride-on toys. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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