Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439452 Inspection date 07/06/2012 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and son aged three years in a two-bedroom, end-terraced house in a residential area of Churchdown, near Gloucester. The whole house is registered for childminding and children play on the ground floor in the playroom, kitchen and living room. They use upstairs bathroom facilities. There is an enclosed, rear garden for children's play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of five children under eight years may attend at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll in this age group on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered as a home childcarer. She offers childcare before, during and after school and in school holidays. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school and attends a toddler group

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Description of the childminding

on a regular basis. She holds a level 2 qualification in 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 achieve well in the nurturing and inclusive environment where the childminder successfully promotes all aspects of their safety and welfare. Overall, the strong relationships forged with parents, and the good partnerships with other providers, underpin the effective meeting of each child's individual needs. Children make good progress in their learning and development and the childminder is well aware of their achievements to plan for their next steps. The childminder is well organised and all required documentation is in place and detailed. She evaluates her practice effectively and demonstrates a good capacity for continuously improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance practice by supporting parents to regularly contribute to children's profiles to show they are fully involved in their children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well qualified and experienced in the care of children. As a result, she organises her childminding well to promote the care and education of each child. Her supervision is continuous so that children receive consistent adult support. Use of detailed risk assessment has minimised hazards for children in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 house and garden and on enjoyable, daily outings. Through renewed training, the childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children to respond effectively to any concern about a child. The childminder has comprehensive records, policies and procedures which are used effectively to promote children's welfare.

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the early years provision

As the children's key person, the childminder promotes equality and diversity well. She introduces stimulating craft activities to encourage children to appreciate similarities and differences, for example, based on homes around the world. She makes good use of her time and resources to effectively meet each child's interests and learning needs. Children move freely around the ground floor areas and garden, depending on which activities they choose. There is a dedicated playroom with a wide range of good quality toys and labelled resources stored at a low level. As a result, children enjoy independent access and choice in their play and learning. The childminder displays children's art work and writing to increase their sense of belonging and to value what they do.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops strong partnership with parents to keep them well informed of their child's daily activities and general progress. New parents are well encouraged to share information about their child. The childminder has developed systems to obtain parents' views on children's levels of development though these are not yet used robustly. Families receive details about the educational provision in conversation, daily diaries and learning journey scrapbooks to involve them in supporting their children's learning at home. The childminder has a good understanding of how to establish and develop links with external agencies and other providers. As a result, children benefit from effective continuity of learning and care.

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the early years provision

In-depth reflection on her practice enables the childminder to thoughtfully identify her strengths and areas for development. Since registration, she has successfully adopted a detailed system to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. She is committed to ongoing improvement through a programme of training and intends to work towards being accredited. Parents' and children's views are given positive regard so that the childminder's service is inclusive.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in all areas of their learning. This is because the childminder has a clear knowledge of their starting points, enhanced through discussion with parents. Children enjoy varied activities and experiences which meet their needs, engage them effectively and encourage the development of good skills for the future. Focused, observational assessment and regular sharing of information with parents enable the childminder to effectively monitor children's progress towards their next steps. Children are inquisitive and keen to learn, demonstrating good levels of concentration and a strong sense of personal achievement when they reach their goals. For example, younger children count the toy train carriages they join together, while older ones enquire about a notice and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 write their own 'shop signs'.

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and outcomes for children

Children successfully learn to play amicably together. They receive attentive support to extend their caring attitudes towards others, for example, to share books. Activities, such as painting, chalking and pattern-making with ingredients for pizza toppings, help children to mark-make in an enjoyable way. Children successfully increase their vocabulary and confidence in social situations through relaxed conversations with the childminder and other children. Activities, including making jigsaw puzzles or moulding play dough into different shapes, well promote children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Children enjoy role play, confidently copying what adults do and using technology toys, for example, in food and shoe 'shops'. The childminder always offers to join in their play. Her skilful use of open questions well challenges them to further extend their learning, for example, about relative costs. Children eagerly express their creativity through a

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and outcomes for children

Good use of the outdoor environment means that children have frequent opportunities to explore the natural world and the local environment. Children water seeds they have planted, labelling these to identify the different varieties of vegetables. Daily walks to a nearby park provide them with frequent opportunities to use larger, play equipment and develop their physical skills well. Children develop a good understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. They adopt good hygiene practices and know, for example, why they must remove the soil from their hands after playing outdoors. They make healthy, food choices from a wide variety of fruits at snack times, which contribute to their well-balanced diet.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel entirely safe and secure with the childminder. They seek her out for reassurance when needed and learn how to keep safe as they play. Children know how to use scissors and cutlery safely and pretend to take care when things are 'hot'. They regularly practise what to do in an emergency situation, such as a fire. Children develop a strong sense of belonging, because they respond well to the clear boundaries set for them. They are particularly well mannered and their behaviour is consistently good as the childminder has high expectations and sets a good example herself. They willingly take on responsibility, for example, tidying collage materials away so the table is available for other activities. Children eagerly make positive choices about their play as the childminder takes time to listen to their ideas and thoughtfully suggests how they can develop their interests. 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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