Childminder in Torbay

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY366306 Inspection date 12/06/2012 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 partner and three children in Heathfield near Newton Abbot in Devon. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a garden for outdoor play activities. The setting is open each weekday from 8.00am until 5.30pm all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently five children attending who are in the early years age group. Most children live locally and some also attend other early years settings. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in this extremely well-organised setting. They have established highly positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of their individual needs and provides a varied curriculum, which supports their learning and development very well. She provides a very enabling indoor environment and makes suitable use of the outdoors. Partnerships with parents and others are highly effective and used to support children in the setting. The childminder constantly reflects on and evaluates all aspects of her practice leading to continual improvement and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the garden area to offer children further opportunities to freely explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant across all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a very high emphasis on safeguarding. She has comprehensive policies and procedures in place which she regularly updates. She attends relevant child protection training to make sure her knowledge and skills are current. She has a clear awareness of action to take if concerns about children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 arise. She provides an extremely safe home environment, consistently using risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards in the home and on outings. She follows rigorous procedures when recruiting adults to work in her home and makes sure she constantly supervises children when unvetted persons are present. Children receive very high levels of supervision and support as they play and move around the home. They learn about safety through the daily routines, for example as they practise regular fire drills with the childminder. Well-established procedures

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the early years provision

help to make sure children are safe and secure when out and about. For example, the childminder carries detailed name cards with all emergency contact details and medical information with her in case of an accident when away from the home.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy playing in a bright, attractive, and enabling environment. The childminder very carefully arranges space within her home. There is a designated playroom, where toys and resources are easily accessible. Toys are stored in labelled boxes both in the lounge and play room, helping children to be fully independent and make their own choices in their play. The childminder organises her resources very well so that they are age-appropriate and relevant to the children in her care. For example, when children make Fathers' Day cards they have easy access to a range of materials to decorate their cards. She regularly updates and develops her resources. For example, she has replaced some of her plastic toys with wooden ones and has increased her range of natural resources. The childminder makes excellent use of her time, planning her sessions around general themes and topics, such as the Olympic Games and the Jubilee. She

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the early years provision

incorporates learning objectives within these themes; for example children learn about the number five and 'circles' when talking about the Olympic rings. Excellent use is made of local community based groups and outdoor attractions to provide variety and interest. The childminder promotes equality and diversity exceptionally well. Her thorough observations and assessments help to make sure she is fully aware of children's progress and development. She works very closely with parents and other professionals to make certain care is consistent. Children learn about diversity in fun and imaginative ways. For instance, they learn about Australia as they celebrate Australian Day and England when joining in Jubilee celebrations.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and others are highly positive. The childminder keeps them extremely well informed about all aspects of their children's care and learning. Regular discussions, newsletters, and emails help to keep them informed of daily routines as well as forthcoming plans. Learning journeys are shared regularly, helping to make sure that next steps are relevant and support children's interests at home as well as in the setting. Regular meetings and discussions with key workers at local schools and pre schools help to promote continuity of care. The childminder is a very driven and competent practitioner. She has high aspirations for quality and constantly reflects on and evaluates her setting. She has an excellent attitude to undertaking further training and has attended a wide range of courses since her last inspection. Parents are extremely happy with the care and learning their children receive and they provide highly positive feedback at

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the early years provision

inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in this stimulating and caring environment. They have excellent relationships with the childminder, adults in the home and the other minded children. They show an extremely strong sense of security and belonging as they interact with adults and each other. For example, they respond confidently when asked how old they are, holding up the correct number of fingers to represent their age and those of their younger friends. They work exceptionally well independently and with the childminder. For example, older children competently select coloured pencils and stickers to decorate their cards, while younger ones are encouraged and supported by the childminder to do the same. Children enjoy making choices about their play with older ones sitting to look at books while younger ones choose to play nearby with electronic toys.

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and outcomes for children

Daily sessions are very well structured and include a balance of free play as well as planned activities. Children enjoy helping themselves to toys and resources or sitting with the childminder to decorate cards. She skilfully supports their learning asking them to name the coloured pencils they select. For example when children identify the colour 'orange' she asks them to find one that is 'dark orange' helping them distinguish between different shades of colour. She helps young children to learn about numbers and counting as they select 'two' pieces of fruit at snack time. Children thoroughly enjoy learning about magnetic pull as they try magnets on a range of surfaces, noting that they 'do not stick on glass'. They develop extremely good communication skills as they talk about the things around them and respond to questions asked by the childminder. For example, children are asked 'What does daddy like?' when thinking about what pictures to select, and 'who is the card

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and outcomes for children

from?' when writing the inscription. They develop early writing skills as they draw and make marks and watch as the childminder models writing for them. They confidently begin to recognise familiar words as they pick labelled storage boxes and look at books.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They follow well- established hygiene routines, washing hands regularly during the day. They enjoy social mealtimes where they sit together to eat and chat. The childminder provides a healthy range of snacks and meals and makes sure children drink when they are thirsty. She keeps detailed records to record the administration of medicines or accidents in the setting. She makes regular use of the local environment for walks and outdoor play. The garden is undergoing development and the childminder does not yet fully use it to support learning across the curriculum. Children feel exceedingly safe and secure in the setting, and behave exceptionally well. They use a range of tools and equipment very sensibly and safely, such as glue and crayons, and they dispose of dirty laundry appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond very well to the childminder's positive and caring support and make extremely strong progress in their learning and development. She has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and undertakes regular observations and assessments to monitor progress. Children are very happy, settled, and have a positive attitude to learning. This equips them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 exceptionally well for the future. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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