Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/03/2013 25/05/2010

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides a warm and welcoming family home where children are happy and feel secure.  Children take part in a broad range of activities that promote learning through play, both inside and out.  The childminder promotes positive partnerships with parents, which help her meet children's individual needs well, once children are established in the setting.  The childminder is proactive in developing her professional role to continue to improve children's learning experiences.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 the childminder does not request sufficient information from parents about their children's activities at home to enable her to plan effectively for their progress from the start of the placement  the childminder does not always make time for children to explore and investigate a full range of objects and materials independently following, and as well as, adult led activities.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities in the lounge and kitchen.  The inspector discussed observed activities with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled records and documentation, including children's developmental records.  The childminder took account of parents' views supplied by letter.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and three children, one of whom is in the early years age group, in Old Sarum, near Salisbury. The ground floor is mainly used for childminding, which includes a lounge, kitchen-dining room and toilet facilities. Sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has three dogs and two guinea pigs, to which the children have supervised access.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight years. The childminder holds a Diploma in Early Learning and Childcare.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 strengthen partnerships with parents by requesting sufficient information about their children's skills, learning and activities at home, when children start to attend

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend children's opportunities for exploring and investigating independently, for example by making time for them to explore colour texture and shape in a wide range of materials and sensory experiences and have available robust resources with knobs, flaps, keys or shutters.

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who attend

Children play and learn in a welcoming home environment. The childminder gets to know the children well as individuals over time through an overall effective observation and assessment system and ongoing communication with parents. She records her observations of children's play and learning in their 'Learning Journeys'. She uses this information to plot their stage of development and identify next steps to help them make good progress. However, the information she requests from parents when their children start to attend is not always detailed with regard to their learning and development at home. This means that the childminder does not start to plan for the children's progress straight away. The childminder is knowledgeable about her responsibilities in completing progress checks for children aged between two and three years. Children are keen to take part in activities both in the home and on outings. The

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who attend

childminder promotes children's language well by talking with them as they play, describing what they are doing, naming objects, people and actions. This also helps young children start to understand the world around them. Children enjoy looking at favourite books and listening to stories, attempting to say the names of familiar images they see. The childminder acknowledges their efforts and repeats the name back to them, which helps develop their vocabulary. The childminder regularly takes children to the library where they join in group singing accompanied by actions. The children like to choose books to take back to the childminder's home. This all contributes to children's keen interest in books. Children use a variety of equipment that encourages their curiosity about shape and measure. For example, from a young age they learn to fit shapes into the correct holes in shape sorter toys. They become aware of number through activities

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who attend

such as songs and rhymes and hearing the childminder count everyday objects. The childminder plans some activities for children to explore colour and media, such as mixing paint colours on paper with a paintbrush or sponges. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to use their senses to investigate and explore some objects and materials independently, in addition to the adult led activities.

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who attend

Children's days include a good variety of outings that enhance their learning and development. Regular walks encourage young children's curiosity about features of their local environment, such as animals, plants and vehicles. Regular visits to a children's group promote children's social skills as they mix with other children and develop confidence in exploring different play equipment.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are happy, settled and well cared for. Children develop warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. The childminder requests information from parents to enable her to follow young children's routines. This means they sleep and eat according to their individual needs, which supports their smooth transition between home and the childminding setting. Children behave well. They learn to take turns during their play and help to tidy toys away. Not only does this help the children to learn to play safely but it also helps them use their logic and reasoning to decide where things fit or are kept. The childminder encourages good manners by setting a good example. She regularly praises children's efforts and achievements, which helps boost their self-esteem and confidence.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have daily fresh air and exercise as part of learning about healthy lifestyles. They visit various venues where they are physically active. For example, the childminder takes children swimming on a regular basis, which develops their confidence in water and promotes their physical development. Children make choices, from healthy options, about what they eat and they practise good routines for their personal hygiene. Children start to understand about aspects of their own safety. For example, the childminder makes them aware of safe ways to cross roads when they are out and reminds them how to use equipment sensibly. Children are involved in regular practises of the emergency escape plan so they know what to expect in a real situation.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder organises her home well to meet the needs of the children in her care. Overall, she provides a suitable range of toys and resources, organised at child height, to support children's learning. She provides low level furniture so that children develop independence and access their activities safely. The childminder makes good use of resources in the local area to extend the range of play equipment and learning opportunities for children.

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provision

The childminder implements clear policies and procedures to promote children's welfare and safety. She shares these with the parents so that they are aware of her practice and responsibilities. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's good overall progress in their learning. She completes detailed risk assessments to help to provide a safe environment for children to play, both in the home and on outings. She has a good understanding of how to safeguard children, which includes recognising signs and symptoms, and she knows the procedures to follow if there are concerns. The childminder records children's existing injuries as routine. She has continued to keep her knowledge up to date by completing training on child protection issues. This all contributes to helping to protect children from harm. The childminder keeps the legally required records, which she completes clearly and

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provision

The childminder promotes positive partnerships with parents. She supplies clear information about her setting, which includes written policies and displays in her home. The childminder encourages daily exchange of verbal information, in order to meet individual needs. She also completes daily diaries, which record children's wellbeing and activities. Parents say that their children are happy and 'excited' to attend. They are pleased with the variety of activities, the childminder's professional approach and the good level of care and safety. Parents feel well informed and have noticed significant development in their children's communication skills and confidence. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of establishing dialogue with other practitioners when children also attend other early years settings.

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provision

The childminder has successfully addressed the recommendations set at the last inspection, which has improved children's health and wellbeing. She evaluates her provision well in order to identify areas for development to extend children's learning. For example, she plans to provide a 'self-registration' board with photographs and name labels to extend children's sense of belonging. The childminder also has plans to develop the garden area to enable children to have more control about whether they play inside or outdoors. The childminder continues to develop her professional role and she is proactive in updating her knowledge. For example, she has gained an early years level 3 qualification since the last inspection. This all contributes to good ongoing improvement in children's learning experiences.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396237 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 844769 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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