Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285087 Inspection date 19/04/2012 Inspector Hilary Tierney

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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 2004. She is on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 15, 10 and six years, in the St. Marks area of Cheltenham. The whole of the house is available for childminding with the main care taking place on the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden with patio areas for outdoor play. There are shops, play parks, library and parent and toddler groups within the locality. The family has a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She currently has 13 children on roll; of these, five are in the early years age range. The childminder's core hours of work are from 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

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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 provides a relaxed, warm environment where children's individual needs are met well. Children are very happy, confident and comfortable in their surroundings. There is a good partnership with parents and detailed information is shared regularly with them. Partnerships with other early years settings are in their infancy. The childminder demonstrates drive and ambition to improve her practice. She has completed the self-evaluation process and has clearly identified areas to improve and develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve links with other relevant providers, to ensure children's learning and development records are regularly shared, to enable continuity and coherence in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has detailed safeguarding procedures in place. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care. Detailed risk assessments contribute to children's safety both in and away from the premises. The childminder is careful to keep the front door locked when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are present. Detailed accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents. All necessary parental permissions are in place.

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the early years provision

Resources are balanced and easily accessible for all children. The wide range of resources is used highly effectively to support children's learning. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. The development of the children in relation to their starting points is good. The childminder offers good support to children who have English as a second language. She successfully supports the development of younger children by use of baby sign language.

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the early years provision

There is a good partnership with parents. Detailed information is regularly shared with them through verbal communication and daily diaries for the younger children. The childminder uses parent questionnaires to help her assess the care she is providing. Parent's' comments from the questionnaires are very positive about the care provided and how happy their children are. The childminder shares the child's learning journals with parents regularly. The partnership with other early years settings are in their infancy. However, the childminder has made contact with the providers, she has not yet started to share information with regarding children's learning and development. The childminder has completed a detailed self-evaluation. As a result, she has clearly identified her strengths and areas to improve. Areas to improve are well targeted to have the best impact to benefit the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder recently developed her planning, observation and assessment of children's learning. As a result, she is clearly able to identify children's starting points and next steps for development. Activities are well planned and challenging for the children attending. The childminder provides an interesting, well equipped, and welcoming environment where children may play safely. Younger children demonstrate that they feel comfortable and safe in the childminder's company. Interactions are good between children and the childminder and children's behaviour is good and managed well.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress in communicating; literacy and skills relating to information and communication technology is developing well. Younger children enjoy looking at books alone and together with the childminder. Children play well independently and are active, curious and inquisitive learners. They develop a good understanding of the wider world and are very well equipped with the skills they need in order to secure future learning. Younger children develop early fundamental skills and actively explore their surroundings with curiosity and interest. For example, children enjoy rolling balls along the floor seeing how far they can go. The childminder gets out a small table and children roll the balls through the legs using the table as a tunnel. They try and climb through the legs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves, laughing as they do so. Children look pleased with themselves as they

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and outcomes for children

successfully go under the table and are praised by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. They are beginning to understand about the importance of hand washing before eating and using the toilet. They enjoy sitting to eat meals and snacks together with the childminder. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise and are taken on regular walks around the local area. The childminder is sensitive and caring and ensures children sleep according to their individual needs. 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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