Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY435377 Inspection date 23/03/2012 Inspector Carol Cox

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 2011. She lives with her husband and two young children age three and five years in Patchway, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the childminder's home is registered for childminding. There is a secure garden for outside play. The family has pet fish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She may care for no more than four children under eight years; of whom, two may be in the early years age group, of these two children may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Overnight care is not provided.

p.4

Description of the childminding

There are currently four children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from local pre-schools and schools.

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 make good progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder has a secure understanding and knowledge of child development. She is developing a system to record their achievements and uses this to plan for the next steps in their learning. The childminder works in close partnership with parents, and other professionals involved with the children to provide consistent care for each child. All necessary records and documentation are in place and are regularly reviewed to ensure practice is current and relevant to children cared for. The childminder has not yet completed a formal self-evaluation of her practice; however, through thoughtful reflection and continual review she demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 build on existing systems to monitor the quality of the provision and identify areas for future development, for example by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and other quality improvement processes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are firmly embedded. The childminder has attended recent training and shares her clearly written policy with parents. She has experience of working in partnership with parents, social workers and the local authority to address child protection concerns. She is confident and able to follow Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Thorough risk assessments and daily checks are made of every aspect of the childminder's practice to provide a safe and secure environment where children are free to explore and play. All visitors are asked to identify themselves and their visit recorded.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a broad variety of interesting toys and resources to stimulate children's imagination and learning. Children choose resources independently. The toys and books provide positive images of a diversity of people. Through her strong partnerships with parents and others the childminder identifies and meets the individual needs of each child to promote their best progress. Children learn about others when playing at toddler group and becoming aware of their differing needs. They chat about the people they see when out and about; all toys are made equally available to all children. Each child is clearly valued and respected for their individual qualities and the childminder meets their needs accordingly.

p.5

the early years provision

Although having only been registered as a childminder for a short time, she draws on her ten years of experience of working as a nanny in a private family. She is highly organised and has established secure systems to record all necessary information about children. There are clear and well written policies and procedures which are shared in writing with parents. Parents enjoy daily diaries detailing their child's care, learning and development needs, as well as their progress. They have time to chat when they collect their children. One parent talks about her nervousness at leaving her child but now feels confident, and particularly enjoys the reassuring texts the childminder sends. The childminder has a clear vision to provide excellent childcare and is fully committed to professional development. She has attended several training courses since registration, these serve to improve her practice. Although there is no formal system yet in place to

p.5

the early years provision

monitor quality the childminder continuously reflects on her practice, addresses issues and plans future improvements. She clearly demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvements.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in the kind and loving care of the childminder who shows an obvious joy in their company. She uses her secure knowledge of how children learn to provide a wide range of well-balanced activities to stimulate and promote their learning in all areas. She observes and records children's achievements and identifies their next learning needs to plan for future activities. , Parents regularly share their children's learning records and add their own This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comments, and are happy with their children's progress. The childminder has a sensitive understanding of how best to support children allowing them to explore and experiment independently, while carefully observing and intervening to support them and progress learning. Children make very good progress in their language development. A toddler babbles happily while exploring the treasure

p.5

and outcomes for children

basket; the childminder recognises attempts to pronounce words and helps by carefully repeating them. The child enjoys the interaction and 'sings' 'twinkle, twinkle little star', making a good effort at the tune and cadence of the words. The childminder encourages this with well earned praise and shares her delight with the child who beams happily.

p.6

and outcomes for children

When children need extra support the childminder has a clear understanding of the role of professionals is more than happy to use her experience to work alongside parents and others to help children progress. On outings in the local community the childminder helps children name colours, spot numbers and observe the natural world. Thus children begin to understand and learn the geography of their own area. Children develop their physical skills when sorting and fitting shapes, completing puzzles and practising their walking skills. Children begin to express themselves creatively with a range of materials and media and make music through spontaneously occurring activities such as making rhythms with shapes from the shape sorter toy. Children learn very good skills in all areas to support their future learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn about keeping themselves safe from a very early age. The childminder explains to young children why they need to be clipped into their harness whilst sitting in the highchair at snack time. They are involved in regular fire drills and talk about road safety when on walks in the community., Through a carefully thought out settling-in period children quickly become confident and 'at home' with the childminder, demonstrating they are secure in her care. A toddler greets their mother happily at pick up time, but continues to play and is in no rush to leave. Children's health is assured through the provision of healthy and nutritious food, careful identification of medical needs and plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder helps children learn to consider others and teaches them about the simple expectations of good behaviour. Children respond positively, behave very well and delight in the well-deserved praise and

p.6

and outcomes for children

encouragement. Each child is clearly valued as an individual and they thrive in the kind and attentive care of the skilled childminder. 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