Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273402 Inspection date 12/07/2012 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two teenage children. They live in a house in a cul-de-sac in the rural village of Northlew, approximately eight miles from Okehampton, Devon. The ground floor is used for childminding and children have use of a living/dining room, a kitchen, a family bathroom/toilet and one of two bedrooms. There is an enclosed garden for outside play, which has a raised covered fish pond. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of whom no more than three children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children.

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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

The kind, caring childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where good procedures help to keep children safe. The childminder has not met a specific legal requirement but this has minimum impact on children's welfare. She builds good partnerships with parents and other providers in order to meet children's individual needs. The childminder deploys most resources effectively and provides good interaction, so that overall children make good progress in their learning and development. Children enjoy their learning and build secure, warm relationships with the childminder. The childminder has implemented all previous recommendations made at her last inspection; along with good self-evaluation, this demonstrates a capacity for continuous improvement. .

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide information for parents on the procedures to be followed in the event of a child going missing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 26/07/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the resources and experiences to promote children's early writing skills to extend and support their learning. 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 carries out good risk assessments and reviews them regularly to support her in taking appropriate action to help safeguard children. The childminder has good documentation and guidance to enable her to follow appropriate procedures with regard to child protection. All required documentation is in place to protect and promote children's welfare. The childminder ensures she maintains her first aid qualification and a good supply of equipment to protect children's health. She provides parents with good information on most policies and procedures. The childminder has not informed parents of her procedures in the event of a child being lost, which is a specific legal requirement. However, she does have a good understanding of the appropriate procedures to follow so as not to compromise children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her practice through self-evaluation and seeks parents' feedback to ensure she is meeting their family's needs. She assesses her own development needs and is currently seeking training to update her safeguarding knowledge. She has also researched childhood illnesses to improve her knowledge of signs and symptoms to help protect children from illness. The childminder attends regular meetings and reads the local authority newsletters to keep up-to-date with current legislation and good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the local environment and organises resources effectively so that children can initiate their own learning and make independent choices. For example, children visit the library van to select and enjoy books. Children have equal access to most resources and there is a good range that provides positive images of diversity. Children know where additional toys are stored and help themselves or confidently request the childminder's help. However, mark-making resources are limited and consequently children enjoy colouring but do not spontaneously make marks or use writing in their play.

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the early years provision

Children make good progress in their development because the childminder knows them well. She works with parents to identify children's interests and plan for their next stages in learning. Through good partnerships with parents, the childminder has an accurate understanding of each child's initial and ongoing development. The childminder communicates very effectively with other providers through the parents so that they may all provide consistent care and learning. The childminder has strong partnerships with the village school and sensitively supports children in their transition to school. Parents comment very positively on the childminder's provision, particularly mentioning her nurturing way with the children. They state that their children make good progress in their development and they receive daily feedback. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, settled and confident in the childminder's home. She provides a calm role model and consequently children behave well and gain a good understanding of making a positive contribution. The childminder praises young children's attempts at saying thank you, so they repeat it appropriately. Children learn to respect the elderly members of the village and attend the local toddler group to make friends and socialise. Good resources and appropriate interaction from the childminder promotes children's positive awareness of people's differences. For example, as one child closely observes the range of small world people the childminder engages them in conversations about people they know who wear glasses. Children build close relationships with the childminder and her family, enjoying cuddles and gentle interaction.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good skills for the future. The childminder enables children to do as much as they can independently and demonstrates the use of equipment linked with the correct words. She provides good interaction responding well to young children's one-word utterances and vocalisations. She encourages children to experiment with the sounds different objects can make. She makes sounds such as 'choo choo choo' while they play with the trains and children copy. This promotes their sound recognition, communication skills and vocabulary. Young children explore toys pressing buttons, pulling levers and lifting flaps to see what effect it has. The childminder counts one, two, and three as she pushes bricks together and a young child perseveres until they pull them apart again. They laugh and clap when they succeed clearly enjoying their learning. Children enjoy a range of books and take them to the childminder to share together. They respond with enjoyment

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and outcomes for children

to music, copying actions and playing instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a good awareness of safe and healthy practices. Young children demonstrate a strong sense of security through their body language. They are confident to explore their surroundings and go to the childminder knowing they will receive a positive response. Children have daily experiences outside and dress appropriately for the weather. Young children climb onto ride-on toys holding onto the handle to balance, while closely supervised by the childminder. They sleep and are active according to their individual needs. Children have regular drinks of water and young children make their needs known. For example, one child pushes the beaker away clearly indicating they do not want any more. Children practice the emergency evacuation procedures and learn about fire safety through their games. 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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