Childminder 144786

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 01/07/2013 21/01/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are happy and secure because the childminder is exceptionally skilled in helping them form close relationships with herself and each other.  Children make very good progress because they enjoy a wide range of interesting activities and the childminder supports their learning well.  The childminder has organised her home effectively to allow children to be independent and follow their own interests.  The childminder critically evaluates her provision, develops her knowledge and makes ongoing improvements that benefit all the children.  The childminder works effectively with parents. She keeps them well informed about their children's progress and encourages them to share information about children's development at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder has not developed effective links with other settings that children attend to provide continuity in children's learning.

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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 the childminder's practice in her home and garden. She discussed this with her and talked with children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled documentation provided by the childminder, including policies, children's records, self-assessment and external assessment records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with and took account of written comments from parents and carers.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and three teenage children in a house in Devizes. The whole of the house may be used for childminding although mainly the ground floor is used. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family has three cats and three guinea pigs. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently cares for six children, of these four are in the early years range. The childminder is a member of the Devizes childminding group and the Wiltshire childminding network. She uses her car for childminding and may be able to take and collect children from local pre-schools and primary schools. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and has recently achieved accreditation to provide funded early education for two- three- and four-olds.

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

 establish stronger links with other settings that children attend to promote continuity in children's learning and development.

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who attend

Children have lots of fun with this experienced and caring childminder and make very good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder provides a wide variety of interesting activities and experiences that children want to take part in. She makes mixing paint colours more exciting by covering the painted paper with cling film. Children are delighted at the colours and patterns they create, proudly showing visitors and asking to return to the activity later in the day. The childminder explains the technique to parents and carers so children can enjoy the activity at home. Children have many other opportunities for messy play. They busily experiment with adding water to sand and gain an understanding of shape, volume and capacity as they fill different containers. They create patterns in shaving foam, which helps them develop pre-writing skills. They often enjoy cooking activities and the childminder uses the opportunity to help them develop a

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who attend

mathematical understanding by counting and weighing ingredients.

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who attend

Children benefit from a careful balance between their own chosen free play, when they have the freedom to explore and develop their own ideas, and activities planned and led by the childminder, such as cooking or trips into the local community. The childminder provides resources that children can move and use in different ways to spark their curiosity and imagination. Children use trays of leaves and hay to develop a complex story, based on their own experiences, about making dinosaur homes and feeding farm animals.

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who attend

The childminder asks parents what children can do when they first start and tracks their progress through regularly noting their achievements. She gives each child a high level of support matched to their individual needs. She works closely with parents to help children who are making less than expected progress catch up with their peers, for example in developing speech and social skills. She provides activities that challenge all children including those moving on to school, so that they continue to progress well. She uses a recognised programme to help children hear sounds in words and to begin linking these to letters in preparation for learning to read. Older children enjoy practising writing both in activity books and in their everyday play, such as writing their name on pieces of art.

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who attend

Children develop in all areas as the childminder plays alongside them, skilfully interacting and naturally directing their learning through play. Her playful approach, such as using puppets with songs and rhymes, encourages children to be fully involved and enthusiastically add their own ideas to the story. Children develop a love of books and enjoy sharing favourite stories with the childminder. She has created a comfortable area in the playroom where children can easily choose from the good selection of books on offer.

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

The childminder is exceptionally skilled in helping children settle quickly and feel secure in her care. She spends a great deal of time with parents at the outset to help her gain a thorough understanding of the child and their family circumstances. She is flexible so that she can accommodate children's home care routines and this ensures children are rested and well-nourished to help them enjoy their day. Children are extremely settled and confident in the childminder's home. They separate happily from their parents and soon become engrossed in their play. Children demonstrate a great sense of belonging and they enjoy pointing out photographs of themselves and friends displayed in the playroom. They remember enjoyable outings and proudly show visitors their paintings on the wall. The established daily routine helps children feel secure and young children settle down willingly for an afternoon rest after a busy morning of play.

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

Since the last inspection, considerable thought has been put in to planning children's play areas in the home and the result is a highly stimulating, bright and well-resourced playroom. This has benefitted the children enormously. They can easily choose for themselves from an impressive selection of stimulating resources. These are well organised on low-level storage units and clearly labelled with pictures so that even the youngest can find what they want. Children become highly independent in organising their play and managing their personal care. The toilet is adjacent to the playroom and this especially helps children only recently toilet trained to gain confidence. Children try putting on shoes themselves before asking for help and they find their sunhats before going outside. Even the youngest cooperate when the childminder applies sun cream and they understand why they sometimes need to play in the shade. Children develop an excellent

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

understanding of the importance of good hygiene. There is a spacious well-organised garden where children play every day. The childminder uses a large gazebo so that children can have fun outside, whatever the weather. They have plenty of exercise and frequently visit the park where there is larger equipment to practise climbing and balancing skills. Children learn about the natural world and healthy foods as they sow, tend and harvest vegetables.

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

Children behave very well. Older children show great maturity and tolerance of the younger ones. The childminder is exceptionally skilled in supporting those who are learning to share and take turns. She works closely with parents so that they adopt a consistent approach, which helps children learn acceptable boundaries for behaviour. She has plenty of toys, which reduces squabbles, and she helps children learn how to resolve conflicts amicably. Children learn to play safely and develop an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder uses everyday opportunities to help children understand more. After seeing a fire engine, they read stories, watch a favourite video about a fire fighter character, and talk about how this applies to their own lives. The childminder talks to the children about 'stranger danger' and who are 'safe' people to help them, such as police officers.

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

Children develop an excellent awareness of the wider world through interesting activities and positive discussions. Their family celebrations are included in the planning to celebrate what makes them unique. They become happy, sociable, confident individuals with a strong desire to learn. They are exceptionally well prepared for their move to nursery or on to school.

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provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has attended advanced training on child protection issues and knows what she must do if she has concerns for a child's welfare. All persons over 16 years old living in the home have had their suitability checked by Ofsted. Children are cared for in a home that is clean and well-maintained. The childminder checks her house and garden thoroughly for hazards and she has given careful thought to children's safety when on outings. She minimises any risks to help keep children safe.

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provision

The childminder provides a balanced and enjoyable variety of experiences for children that promote all areas of their development. She effectively monitors children's progress so that she can quickly spot any gaps in children's learning or the progress they make. She tailors her activities, and the support she provides to each child, so that all children progress as well as they can.

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provision

The childminder seeks to develop links with other settings that children attend so they can work together to ensure continuity of care and learning. However, this has not been as successful as she hoped and the childminder is keen to develop better links in the future.

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provision

The childminder is highly reflective of the care she provides. She actively seeks out training to develop her skills further, such as gaining a level 3 qualification in childcare and learning. She links with other childcare professionals to help stay up to date and shares good practice with her local childminding group. The childminder is very well organised. She uses challenging criteria to assess her provision and seeks advice from her childcare development officer to help set clear targets for improvement. She has recently achieved accreditation, enabling her to receive funding for early education. This demonstrates a clear commitment and strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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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 144786 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 846642 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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