Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY442454 Inspection date 22/08/2012 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 two children in a residential area of the town of Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The childminder uses the ground floor area of her home for childminding, which consists of a lounge, playroom/conservatory and kitchen. There is also access to toilet facilities on this level. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for five children, four of these are in the early years age group. The family has a dog, two guinea pigs and two hamsters.

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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 are happy and settled and develop a strong sense of belonging as their individual needs are supported well. They benefit from accessing a welcoming, safe and accessible learning environment. This along with the childminders positive interactions helps them to make good progress in their learning. Parents receive detailed information about the service the childminder provides. Some opportunities are offered to share information about children's learning with parents and with others providing care for the children. The childminder has established secure systems to help her review her own practice and make positive changes. This means that her capacity for continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities to share information about children's learning and development with other settings which children also attend  provide more opportunities for parents to review their children's progress and contribute to their child's learning and development record.

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the early years provision

The childminder is vigilant about safety. She has a comprehensive safeguarding policy to refer to should she have a concern about a child's welfare to help ensure appropriate action is taken. Children remain well supervised at all times and positive steps are taken to ensure safety is maintained when in the home and on outings. For example, the childminder teaches children about road safety and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clear expectations and boundaries to help keep them all safe. Effective use of records means that information is accurate and quick to access, helping the childminder to support children's welfare and safety. Children's health is supported well. The childminder follows positive practices which reduce the risk of cross infection and ensures children are provided with healthy snacks, meals and plenty of drinks throughout the day.

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the early years provision

Areas within the childminder's home are used well to support children's enjoyment and development. The environment is comfortable and welcoming. Examples of children's own creative work are displayed on the walls and each child has their own box to safely store any precious items from home. The childminder understands children's preferences and interests and ensures a wide range of equipment and resources are available. This includes some resources that promote children's awareness of the local community and the wider world. Children have lots of choice and freely explore the resources that are stored in accessible and clearly labelled boxes in the playroom. They move freely from indoors to outdoors, enjoying the experience of playing outside in the fresh air. The childminder constantly chats to the children as they play to challenge their thinking and learning. This means children are interested and motivated.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and provides a highly flexible service to suit the needs of individual families. Parents receive detailed information about the service the childminder provides and activities their child is involved in. However, parents are not provided with sufficient opportunities to share information about children's learning and development to keep them fully involved. The childminder builds up informal relationships with others who also provide care for the children. However, this does not include information about children's learning to help promote consistency. The childminder is keen to provide the best service she can for children and their families and uses self-evaluation well. She regularly completes training to increase her own skills and seeks feedback from early years professionals to help her identify and make improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's welcoming home. They respond positively to the childminder's support and constant attention. They show increasing independence as they make choices about what they want to play with. They respond well to the childminders use of praise and encouragement. This helps them to manage their own behaviour and respond positively to boundaries and expectations. Children are forming positive relationships with each other, learning to share and cooperate. They learn to value and respect differences through the resources they use and their involvement in community groups. They feel a strong sense of belonging as they see their own creative work displayed on their boards, making them feel proud of their own achievements. Positive support from the childminder helps to improve children's language and communication. They constantly chatter about what they are doing and are introduced to new

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 vocabulary as they play. They enjoy books and stories, using increasingly detailed language to explain what they see. 'That's the shiny bus' one comment showing their increasing confidence and understanding of language. They see text and written information on display, helping them to understand that print carries meaning. As they engage in a creative activity they choose whether to use the big or small circles for the wheels of their tractor, learning about shape and size. Their imaginations and individual creativity is encouraged and valued as they use a wide range of tools and materials to create their very own pictures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of each child's interests and learning needs. She uses this information well to support the children in taking the next step in their learning and development. She plans some activities but also quickly picks up on children's interest as they play independently, providing additional resources to enable them to extend their learning in this area. For example, as they water the garden and the seeds they have sown they show an interest in the flow of the water. The childminder provides bowls, cups and a colander to enable them to explore and experiment to increase their understanding. Each child has their own learning diary that includes written observations, examples of creative work and photographs of them engaged in play. Next steps are identified which are then generally used to inform future plans. The childminder obtains detailed information from parents about children's interests when they first start, which

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's welfare well. Children follow positive routines to encourage them in leading healthy lifestyles. They enjoy daily outdoor play in the garden or the park and get plenty of fresh air and exercise. As well as enjoying healthy snacks, meals and drinks, some children help to plant their own fruit and vegetables, encouraging them to enjoy fresh produce. Gentle reminders and guidance from the childminder helps children to follow safe practices. They learn about road safety, discussing how to keep safe when out-and-about and take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures. These beneficial routines and support helps them to develop important skills 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 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 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 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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