Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY370757 Inspection date 23/04/2012 Inspector Sarah Wignall

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children in the city of Plymouth in Devon. Children use all areas of the childminder's home and there is a garden for outdoor play activities. The family has two guinea pigs that live outdoors. The childminder offers care on each weekday from 8am until 6pm all year round. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of four children under eight years may attend at any one time; of these, not more than one may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child attending who is in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children up to 11 years.

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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 has a suitable awareness of children's individual needs and she generally supports their learning and development. The childminder uses observations of children's play to guide her sessions, though she does not use these to assist her in planning and she does not fully involve parents in this process. The childminder provides a generally safe environment, though does not practise her emergency evacuation plan with the children. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to improve by addressing previous recommendations and responding to advice from the local authority. However, she does not have an effective system to evaluate all areas of her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop use of assessment to plan next steps in each child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach with parents  conduct regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of safeguarding. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has attended training on child protection, which has increased her awareness of action to take if concerned about children in her care. She has a policy in place to support her practice. Both adults in the home have undergone suitability checks. She provides appropriate levels of supervision as children play in the home and when outdoors. Good procedures are in place to monitor sleeping children and they are regularly checked. She provides a safe and secure home environment, making good use of safety equipment to limit young children's access to the stairs and kitchen. The childminder uses risk assessments to assess the suitability of the environment and to identify risks associated with routine outings. Emergency evacuation procedures are in place. However, she has not yet practised these

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the early years provision

procedures with children, limiting their awareness of how to react in the event of a fire.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home appropriately, providing children with suitable areas to play and rest. Most play takes place in the lounge and adjoining hallway, where the majority of toys and resources are stored. Resources are well presented and easily accessible to children. Toddlers enjoy helping themselves to toys from low-level storage boxes or sitting with older children to play. The childminder organises her day flexibly to meet young children's needs. For example, she makes sure that toddlers have time to rest as well as opportunities for more active play. She makes good use of her garden for physical play outdoors. Regular visits to local attractions such as the farm or aquarium provide children with variety and interest. She provides appropriate levels of support and interaction as children play and learn. The childminder promotes equality and diversity appropriately using some resources to support children's understanding of difference.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are sound. The childminder keeps them informed of children's daily routines and activities through discussions and use of a daily diary. Some basic discussion around children's development takes place helping to support continuity of care. The childminder provides parents with copies of policies and procedures. She displays relevant notices and posters. There are no children currently on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other setting if the need arises. The childminder has made some progress since her last inspection. For example, she has updated her risk assessments. She is beginning to evaluate her practice though her system is not effective in identifying all areas of strength and weakness. The childminder has attended training on child protection and is nearing completion of her National Vocational Qualification at

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the early years provision

level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. She enjoys her role as a childminder and is committed to developing her practice. She makes good use of advice and support from the local authority and demonstrates a sound capacity to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are settled and content in the childminder's care. They respond This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well to her, demonstrating a sense of security and belonging. For example, they settle quickly to sleep and wake up relaxed and happy. They are gaining confidence in the setting and move between the lounge and hallway independently. They show an interest in their surroundings helping themselves to toys and resources. For example, they select shakers and enjoy banging them to create sounds. They are forming positive relationships with other children and join them in play. For example, they confidently climb under the quilt to join older children in their 'den'. They show good levels of mobility and they are developing spatial awareness as they bend down to get under the quilt. The childminder offers suitable levels of support and interaction as children play. For example, she sits on

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and outcomes for children

the floor encouraging toddlers to add bricks to a tower or to knock them down. She promotes children's understanding of appropriate behaviour as she reminds them to share and take turns.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are developing generally good skills in communication and make their needs known to the childminder. For example, they hold their hands up when they want to come out of the high chair or they cry when they are upset. The childminder is responsive to them and ensures she meets their physical needs promptly. She promotes children's knowledge of healthy lifestyles well. They follow good hygiene routines and are encouraged to eat and drink regularly during the day. She offers a varied and healthy range of snacks and home cooked meals. She makes sure she is aware of dietary needs and toddlers home routines for sleeps. Daily walks to school and regular opportunities to play outdoors provide children with fresh air and exercise. Young children learn about safety, with reminders to be careful when crawling out of confined spaces and to use toys sensibly.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a flexible approach to each day using children's interests and moods to guide her sessions. She has a sound understanding of the early learning goals and provides children with a broad range of activities to support their development. She records observations of them at play, which she links to areas of learning. However, systems to assess children's progress and involve parents are not fully effective in ensuring that they are making good progress across all areas of learning. Young children respond well to the childminder. They make some choices about their learning and show an interest in things around them. They are learning how to play and interact with others. These fundamental skills support future learning. 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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