Home Childcarer in Wiltshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346549 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Helen Mary Ball

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 has been registered to care for children since 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives in a house in the Romsey area of Hampshire which is close to local schools and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding and access to the premises is good. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has one dog and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years of age, or eight children under eight when working with an assistant. There are currently 12 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. Seven of these children are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for a maximum of three children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have fun in the care of this childminder whose enthusiasm is infectious. She has a 'can do' approach and this means that children of all abilities take part in well-resourced activities which she adapts to meet their individual stages of development. The childminder has good relationships with parents and carers and as a result, children are happy and settled during their time at the setting. The childminder has a professional approach to childcare and is committed to developing her own knowledge through ongoing training; she evaluates the provision and successfully identifies areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop links with all settings that children attend so that children receive continuity of care, learning and progression  continue to develop systems for planning and assessment which are informed by accurate record keeping including information on children’s learning progress

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provision

Children’s health and welfare are effectively underpinned because all required policies, procedures and consents are in place. Children are safe because the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder conducts risk assessments within the home and for outings. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and has written a child protection policy which she would follow in the event of concerns about a child. This ensures that children are safeguarded.

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provision

Children develop independence as they choose their activities from a wide range of accessible resources. Daily routines ensure that children have ample opportunities to play and learn indoors, outdoors and on a variety of outings. The childminder observes and assesses children's development and builds on their skills by planning activities and resources to suit their individual levels of development. She is developing systems to record planning and assessment. Parents and carers are kept informed about children's progress through informal discussions and through the sharing of observation records. The childminder is developing systems to share information with other settings that her minded children attend.

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provision

The childminder continually evaluates her provision and effectively identifies areas she wishes to improve. She is committed to improving her provision through attendance at training courses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are incredibly settled and happy in this home where they are at the heart of everything the childminder does. She encourages children’s independence and has high expectations. As a result, children thrive in her care and they have fun within clear boundaries with a childminder who knows each child very well. All children are included and valued; the childminder adapts activities to suit each child’s stage of development and this means that they all experience a sense of accomplishment. The childminder has developed simple systems for planning and assessment; she has identified that this is an area for further improvement because the record keeping does not always reflect the good quality care and education children receive. The childminder confidently undertakes observations of children and effectively identifies their next steps in learning. This means that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder strikes an effective balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities. She encourages children to take the lead, and she then builds on their interests. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child development and uses this knowledge to provide activities to promote children’s physical development. For example, prior to eating, young children play with play dough so that they develop their wrist muscles in preparation for using a fork effectively at lunch time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a real love of the outdoors and they learn through self-discovery. They go out in all weathers and enjoy puddle jumping, den building and exploring the New Forest. Their creative development is very much encouraged, and children delight in displaying their art work in the childminder’s home. This increases their self-esteem and sense of belonging. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are safeguarded within the home. They play safely indoors because the childminder supervises their play at all times. She helps the children to learn about keeping themselves safe and they take part in fire drills. Children’s health is protected because the childminder encourages good hygiene routines and the spread of infection is reduced because children use individual hand towels when they wash their hands. Healthy meals and snacks are provided in accordance with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the parents' wishes. Frequent praise and the childminder’s calm approach to behaviour management ensures that children are gaining in confidence and that their well-being is assured. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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