Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356165 Inspection date 16/05/2012 Inspector Karen Prager

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and their two teenage children in a house in the Nyth area of Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, a park, toddler groups, a library and other amenities are within walking distance. The childminder takes children to, and collects them from, local school and pre-schools. The family has a pet cat. Children may use the entire house but in practice, the upstairs is used for bathroom requirements and sleeping purposes only. A rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and volutory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three early years children on roll and one older child. Care is offered for children all year round.

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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 welcomed into the family home where they show that they are settled and included. The childminder organises activities so that all children are involved. Children are provided with a generally good range of play activities that take account of their individual interests and help them make good progress overall. There are effective links with parents, which help to promote children's welfare needs, and the required records are maintained appropriately. The childminder evaluates her provision and is well placed to maintain good continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the toy storage so that children can more easily see what is available and reach them independently  develop the garden area to provide a creative and stimulating space where children can explore and have first hand contact with the weather, seasons and the natural word

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the early years provision

The organisation of the childminder's service is effective. She ensures children are safeguarded well by her sound grasp of safeguarding issues. She is aware of the appropriate agencies to contact, and the procedures to follow should she have any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns about the welfare of a child. The childminder is effective at risk assessing both her home and any outings she takes the children on. She provides a safe and secure environment for the children in her care. The childminder has a wide range of policies and procedures in place to help keep children protected and supported, which she implements effectively. The childminder keeps her home clean and organises the space to give children free space to play. The garden is fully enclosed and easily accessible from the conservatory, which is set out for children's play. The childminder has recently moved home and although she has a suitable

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the early years provision

range of toys for the children, these are not easily accessible and the garden is not used in wet weather.

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the early years provision

The provision for promoting inclusive practice is good. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure all children are fully supported. Children learn about diversity in the world around them. They enjoy sharing stories and books about children different from themselves. The childminder has used the Ofsted self- evaluation form to formally evaluate her provision and thinks about how she can improve the outcomes for the children in her care. She is keen to improve her practice and has attended many short courses related to childcare over the years. She shows a positive approach to continuing to improve her provision in the longer term and has started to consider the forthcoming changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She welcomes input from local authority development workers and receives regular visits to support her in her role as an accredited childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes supportive relationships with parents. She talks to parents on a daily basis about what their children have been doing, and diaries provide a written record keeping parents well informed about their child's day. She shares her policies and procedures, helping them to understand her role and responsibilities. Children's development folders, which document their progress, are shared with parents and they receive invites to offer their own contributions about what their child can do. The childminder has built good partnerships with local childminders and the children's centre. She regularly shares information about children's development with the pre-school. This effectively supports continuity in children's care and learning and helps children's transition between settings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of learning and development. She talks to parents about what children can do before they start attending. The days are organised with a good balance of free play and planned activities. The childminder observes and assesses children's progress throughout the day. She keeps a lively record of their time in her care using photos, notes and samples of their art work. She shares these with parents on a regular basis and their comments are welcomed. The childminder uses her assessments of the children to identify and plan their next steps of development. She involves parents in supporting their children's on-going learning to aid progress and overall children make good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress in their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly happy and settled in the care of this caring childminder. They are sociable and confident with the childminder and visitors. Children behave well. They wait patiently when the childminder locks the side gate in the garden. Older children develop concentration as they play on their own with the small people and houses. They open and close doors, seeing what can fit inside. Children start to play together, chasing each others cars around the table. They learn to co-operate on the rocker, sitting one at each end.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore the sand tray in the garden. They spoon dry sand as they play in the play house, and form the damp sand into shapes. The childminder makes herself available to children through her friendly manor. Children are keen to share their favourite book as they sit with the childminder on the sofa. They show delight at the different animals and experiment with the different noises they make. Young children sit at the table and explore jelly or a corn flour mixture. They push cars through it and enjoy the texture and notice the marks they are making. They start singing familiar songs and the childminder gently supports them by joining in. Children learn about diversity in the world around them. They enjoy a range of craft activities linked to seasonal celebrations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses effective procedures to ensure hygiene standards are maintained and carefully wipes the table before children eat. Young children start to learn about the importance of routine procedures such as cleaning their hands before and after they eat. They are encouraged to wipe their own hands and face after eating. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure that children are offered food that is suitable for their needs. Drinks are kept within reach of the children. Regular walks around the local area provide children with further valuable opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the local parks. They take regular visits to the local children's centre where they play with a wider range of children of a similar age and become familiar with the wider community. Through the regular outings, children learn how to keep safe when walking along the pavement or crossing roads. They also know to sit on the floor to put their boots on before

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and outcomes for children

going in the garden. As a result they develop a good awareness of personal safety. Overall, the experiences available to children clearly help them to develop the skills needed for their future learning and development. 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 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 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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