Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345168 Inspection date 18/07/2012 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 1997. She lives with her two teenage children in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the property with toilet facilities accessed on the first floor. Children have access to the rear garden for outdoor play.

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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 six children under eight years, three of whom may be in early years age range. There is currently one child in the early years age group on roll.

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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 cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, and the childminder meets their individual needs appropriately. She develops suitable partnerships with parents, although, they are not actively encouraged to contribute towards children's learning and development. The childminder provides children with a sufficient range of age appropriate equipment and resources. Children are making sound progress in their learning and development. There are fewer activities to involve children in creative and sensory play and they are sometimes distracted during their play. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She is beginning to evaluate her provision and identify some areas for development; however, systems are not yet fully effective to enhance outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to enable parents to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their child's learning and development record  allow children time to pursue their learning without interruption by, for example, limiting the use of the television  extend children's creativity, through providing a wide range of experiences and activities that children can respond to by using many of their senses  improve systems for reflective practice and self-evaluation to review and assess all aspects of practice to help improve outcomes for children. 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 recently completed a safeguarding course to update her knowledge and skills. She has a sound understanding of child protection issues, which helps her to promote children's well-being appropriately. The childminder has satisfactory systems of risk assessment and puts suitable safety measures in place around the home. She takes appropriate action to minimise risks to children, such as contacting the property owner to repair a loose socket. This contributes towards children being able to move around the premises safely. The childminder's front garden is due to be re-vamped soon to provide safer access so she closely supervises children at all times when accessing the premises to ensure their safety.

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the early years provision

Children are not currently able to use the rear outdoor play space at the childminder's home. However, the childminder takes children on regular walks and outings so they get sufficient fresh air and exercise. Children have use of a satisfactory range of age appropriate play equipment and resources. Many of the toys are stored in boxes in low units so older children can easily access them. Children are supported in learning about differences, through access to resources that are used to help raise children's awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has addressed recommendations from the last inspection. Children now gain awareness of healthy eating through discussion and activities, and written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment is now in place. The childminder has recently returned to childminding after a break, and shows a positive attitude to the continuous improvement of her provision. She has linked with other early years professionals to help her develop her childminding practice. However, systems of self-evaluation are in the early stages, and do not fully reflect the childminder's strengths and weaknesses to enable her to effectively prioritise areas for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder liaises closely with parents to help children settle in her care. Appropriate settling-in sessions are organised to support children's transition from home to her setting. Parents receive sufficient information about their children's care and well-being. This is through informal discussion at handover, and use of a daily dairy to record children's routines, such as sleep times, nappy changes and food eaten. However, systems to get parents actively involved in their child's learning and development are not currently in place. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other settings if the need arises.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a secure bond with the childminder, which helps them feel settled and secure. The childminder interacts with children in a warm and caring manner, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and follows young children's routines so they feel comfortable in her care. She recognises when younger children become hungry and feeds them a bottle of milk so they feel content. Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder has begun to carry out appropriate observation and assessment to help her support children's learning and development. She is still developing her systems to monitor children's achievements, and is seeking advice on how she can use these more effectively.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a clear understanding of appropriate behaviour management strategies and helps children to learn about the needs of others. She talks to them about the importance of sharing and taking turns during activities, offering praise to help promote positive behaviour. Young children are developing appropriate skills for the future as they show an interest in their surroundings. Their communication is suitably support by the childminder. She sings nursery rhymes, such as 'Row, Row, Row your boat' and children join in games of 'peek-a-boo'. Young children respond to the childminder's attention, as they make eye contact, vocalise and kick their legs happily on the play mat. However, the television is continually on in the background, which is distracting for children and does not allow them to pursue their learning. Appropriate use of counting in some activities introduces children to number names. For example, the childminder counts the

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and outcomes for children

younger children's hands as she wipes them. Some creative play materials are available to children. However, the childminder does not offer a varied range of experiences and activities to enable young children to use their senses to explore and investigate. The childminder takes children to various groups on a weekly basis, such as a local music group. This provides children's with appropriate play and learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder liaises with parents to follow children's individual feeding requirements. Parents generally provide food, and the childminder offers support as she discusses with parents about providing healthy options when they are weaning younger children onto solid food. The childminder offers children healthy snacks of fresh fruit. She talks to children about which foods are healthy to help raise their awareness of the importance of keeping themselves healthy. The childminder takes children to soft play centres where they can freely explore, which helps their physical development. Young children are closely supervised by the childminder, she checks them when they are sleeping to make sure they are safe and secure. 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 2 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: 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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