Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440833 Inspection date 05/07/2012 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 January 2012. She lives with her husband and four children on the outskirts of Chiseldon, Wiltshire. The family has a house cat and three guinea pigs. The majority of the property is available for childminding purposes. Children play downstairs with the upstairs being used for sleeping children. There is a downstairs toilet and an enclosed garden. The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school. The childminder works with an assistant who holds a level 2 qualification in Childcare.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working on her own, she may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may care for ten children, five of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children in the early years age range on roll. One older child also attends. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in this welcoming family home and relationships with parents are positive. Children are suitably cared for and make satisfactory progress in their learning. The childminder has sufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and most records are well maintained. The childminder has taken some appropriate steps to keep children safe, though children are occasionally left with an assistant who has no first aid qualification. The childminder expresses a positive attitude to improving her practice and demonstrates a sound capacity to improve. However, self-evaluation has not identified some weaknesses in her practice, or the need to develop partnerships with other providers.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children are in the care of at least one person who holds a current paediatric first aid certificate at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 06/08/2012

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further?

 maintain a daily record of children's hours of attendance and the names of the children's key workers (Documentation) 05/07/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to further promote continuity and progression in children's learning  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an adequate understanding of how to keep children safe. She has a suitable understanding of the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. She has assessed the risks to children in her home and on outings and takes appropriate action to minimise these. For example she has re-assessed the use of the trampoline for younger children and keeps the cords for the blinds out of reach. The childminder keeps most records necessary for the safe management of her service including children's personal details and written polices. Records of attendance do not include sufficient information and this is a breach of requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder occasionally works with two assistants but does not have a clear understanding of the requirements when working with an assistant. She does not keep a record of when they are working and which children they care for. Although one assistant holds a first aid qualification the other does not and has been left alone with children for short periods of time. This is a breach of a legal requirement and may compromise children's well-being. Both assistants are booked on courses to attain or renew their first aid certificate in the near future. The childminder understands the strengths of the provision. For example, outdoor activities are of high priority and children settle well in her care. However, monitoring systems are not yet fully developed and therefore the childminder has not clearly identified the weaknesses and taken appropriate action taken.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is kept clean and well maintained. Children choose from a selection of toys stored in open shelving in the large play room. The childminder offers a suitably inclusive environment. She has a positive attitude to meeting the individual needs of all children and takes some constructive steps to promote inclusion in the local community. The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents. She informs parents of her policies and procedures, helping them to understand her role and responsibilities. She shares information on a daily basis through verbal feedback and a daily diary. The childminder welcomes feedback about her provision. She invites parents to offer their own contributions about what their child can do and uses this information to support their care and learning. Some children attend other local early years settings, such as pre-schools and nursery. The childminder has not yet shared details about children's learning.

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the early years provision

This weakness in partnership working has some limitations in ensuring continuity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children appear settled and that they feel safe in the care of the childminder and her assistant. Behaviour is managed appropriately and children respond well to those around them using words and gestures. They begin to form attachments, and go to the childminder when they become tired and settle on her lap for a cuddle. Young children move confidently around the play room and take an interest in the objects around them. These attachments contribute to well to children developing the social skills necessary for in later life.

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and outcomes for children

Children are interested in exploring the toys and they examine the different shapes and are helped as they post them in the shape sorter. Children make adequate progress in their learning and development. This is because the childminder observes them to see what they are interested in and provides suitable activities to support their learning. The childminder shares her observations with parents and has begun to keep a written record of their progress, illustrated by photographs. Children enjoy outings to the park. They visit a shop and buy food for their picnic. They chose where to sit and afterwards feed the crumbs to the fish. Regular outings like this help children in learning about the wider world. Older children sit with the childminder and play counting games together, developing their understanding of numbers. Young babies enjoy the gentle movement of the garden swing. Older children search for leaves and flowers. They concentrate for

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and outcomes for children

some time as they stick them to paper. Children sing songs and become confident as they meet with other children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children well in leading a healthy lifestyle. She provides a lively role model and children keep active through many visits to local parks. They are helped to manage their personal hygiene and know to wash their hands appropriately. The children sit next to each other in their high chairs to eat their lunch. They confidently vocalise when they want another mouthful. They learn about how to keep themselves safe on outings knowing that they must use seat belts in the car, and they talk about walking safely. Indoors children learn not to open the front door and a stair gate are in place to stop children from going up stairs. Older children learn to consider their own safety and that of the younger children. For example, when they play with toys with small pieces they do so out of the reach of younger children. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 05/07/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the requirements of the compulsory part of the Chilcare Register (Records to be kept) 05/07/2012

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