Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346662 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Lynne Bowden

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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 2006. She lives in Plymouth, Devon, with her husband and three children, of whom two are adults and one is still in school, and her nephew who attends college. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. The family has a pet dog and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age range. The childminder attends a local creche, and children regularly visit local play parks and go out for walks.

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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

Children are confident and secure in this childminder's home, which is well resourced. The childminder provides a range of activities which interest children and promotes their learning and development well, overall. Parents are kept well- informed about the provision. All necessary documents and records are available, though some lack detail. The childminder attends training and seeks advice to update her knowledge and improve her practice. She has met the recommendations made at her last inspection, indicating her capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on existing systems to record children's progress by consistently including when children have achieved their next steps  improve records of fire drills to sufficient detail to identify any problems.

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the early years provision

The childminder's training in child protection and her secure knowledge of safeguarding children helps her to keep children safe from harm. The childminder has comprehensive policies regarding safety and teaches children to behave safely. She carries out risk assessments to minimise risks and carries out and records her regular fire drills. However, these records lack sufficient detail to help her identify any difficulties. Children are protected in the event of having an accident, because the childminder has current first aid training. Records show that effective This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures are followed to treat injuries and administer medicines.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of local amenities, taking children on outings to parks and zoos. She provides a broad range of toys and resources to interest children, including resources showing positive images of people from other cultures. The childminder uses her knowledge of children's development and their individual interests and abilities to promote their development and engage their interest. Planning records show children's interests and attainments and children's next steps and how the childminder plans to promote them. The childminder identifies and closes any gaps in achievement, enabling all children to make good progress. Although the childminder has a good knowledge of each child's development, records do not clearly show when children reach their next steps. The childminder demonstrates a secure ability to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of her provision and drive improvement. For example, she has

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the early years provision

effectively met the recommendations made at the previous inspection. In addition, she has updated her knowledge and skills through training and meeting with other providers.

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the early years provision

Parents are well informed about their children's activities and achievements through discussion and learning journeys. The childminder is aware of the importance of partnership with other providers to promote continuity of care, but there are currently no children attending other early years settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and secure enough in the childminder's home. For example, tired young children are secure enough to quickly fall asleep and sleep soundly. Children demonstrate their growing knowledge by identifying and naming colours and shapes. Children thoroughly enjoy their imaginative play as they recreate familiar experiences and demonstrate their knowledge of good hygiene, health and safety in their role play. They ensure that dolls are securely strapped into their toy high chair and talk to them as they feed them pretend food and wipe their faces clean before tucking them into the dolls cot for a sleep.

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and outcomes for children

They learn about their own and other peoples cultures and customs, through discussion prompted by activities and their daily use of books, toys and dolls showing positive images of other cultures. They learn about and observe the natural environment, changing seasons as they enjoy trips to local play areas and farms. There and at a friend's garden children see and harvest fruit and vegetables, learning about where food comes from and enjoy helping to prepare meals and snacks. As they complete jigsaw puzzles and build with wooden blocks, children learn about and develop an awareness of size and shape, and solving problems.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy energetic play at exercise sessions held at the local children's centre, where they are also able to socialise with other children. They benefit from fresh air and build up their strength and stamina as they go on regular walks to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local parks and become familiar with local landmarks such as the road and rail bridges over the nearby river Tamar. Children learn about road safety on these outings and, at home, become familiar with the evacuation procedure, because they participate in regular fire drills. Children behave well, and demonstrate their growing awareness of good manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Positive reinforcement encourages children to develop good relationships with the childminder and others. 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 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 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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