Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438040 Inspection date 31/05/2012 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 2011 and is on the Early Years Register and both compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and their two children of four and two year in Cheltenham. The whole of the house is available for childminding. The main areas used include the sitting room, kitchen, dining room/play room and downstairs toilet facilities. Upstairs bedrooms are available for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden with patio, grass and pebble surfaces for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for four children under eight years; of these, not more than one may be in the early years age group. She currently has two children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder has core hours of work between 7.30am and 5.30pm and works term times only. The childminder holds the Post Graduate Certificate of Education and Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Science. She has completed a diploma in Home-based Childcare.

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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 settle quickly with the childminder and demonstrate they feel safe in their surroundings. The childminder is calm and caring towards the children and meets their individual needs well. There is a good partnership with parents and detailed information is shared between them regularly. Partnerships with other early years settings are in their infancy. Personal hygiene procedures are not consistently reinforced with younger children. The childminder is aware that the self-evaluation process is ongoing and she has clearly identified areas in which she would like to improve and develop. She demonstrates a drive to improve the care she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to ensure links with other settings are developed, when children attend them, so practitioners from each setting can regularly share details of children's development and learning records and any other relevant information to ensure continuity and coherence  encourage and develop children's awareness of healthy habits, with particular reference to hand washing procedures at snack times. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear safeguarding policies and procedures and demonstrates she understands them well. She is confident about what she will do if she has any concerns about children in her care. She clearly records any accidents that may occur to children in her care and any medication that children may need when in her care. Records are shared with the relevant parents on the day. Detailed risk assessments help the childminder keep the children safe when at her home and on outings.

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the early years provision

Resources are easily accessible for all children and reflect the diversity within the community. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she provides an inclusive environment where children may learn and play safely. The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. Daily diaries are used to share information with parents. Parents regularly speak to the childminder about their child's day when they collect their child. Children's development records are shared with parents regularly, which helps keep them informed about their child's learning. All necessary parental permissions are in place. Regular parental questionnaires help the childminder assess the care she is providing and make any changes if required. Parents' comments indicate they think highly of the childminder and the care she provides. Partnerships with other early years settings are in their infancy, as not all the children in the childminder's care have started to

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the early years provision

attend other settings. She has made contact with the settings, but has not yet started to share relevant information about the children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection. She is able to clearly identify aspects to improve and realises this is an ongoing process. The childminder realises that it is important to evaluate her practice regularly to enable her to provide high quality childcare. This demonstrates the childminder has a strong drive and ambition to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate they are happy, comfortable and feel safe in their surroundings. The childminder shows genuine care and concern for the children as she interacts with them. She offers reassurance to the younger children when they get upset and understands what they need, such as a cuddle or a rest. Children enjoy being able to freely access the range of resources in the home. They are able to explore different textures of materials, as the range of resources includes toys made of natural materials, such as wood. Children enjoy exploring and developing their imagination. For example, they enjoy playing in the playhouse in the garden, playing with dolls and acting out stories they have looked at. The childminder provides a tray full of uncooked pasta, cups, small world models and animals. The children take great delight in exploring the different textures in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

tray, hiding the models and animals under the cups. Children sing songs about the animals and the childminder develops their play well. There are good interactions between the children and childminder. She uses open-ended questions to help them think and problem solve. The childminder sits with the younger children on the floor and speaks to them constantly about what they are doing and the resources they are playing with. She fully understands the younger children's needs and meets them well.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise and take part in regular outings around the local community. Children have free access to the rear garden, where younger children are able to sit on mats and crawl around exploring, under the watchful eye of the childminder. Children are encouraged to wash their hands and the childminder wipes the younger children's hands before they eat lunch, after being outside and after touching the animals. However, hand washing does not routinely happen before snack time. Separate hand towels used by children help prevent the spread of infection. Babies and young children appear content and settled, because their health, physical and dietary requirements are well met. 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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