Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17/07/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 has made excellent attachments to support children's all round development and emotional well being.  Children experience a generally highly stimulating play environment both inside and outside and well planned activities effectively support children to make good progress.  Effective partnerships with parents are made to establish starting points for learning and continue the learning experiences at home.  The childminder is highly organised. All statutory policies and procedures are in place and she has a thorough understanding of the areas of learning and how children learn.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are few resources for understanding the world that represent different cultures and communities.  There is a limited range of resources to promote the development of early writing skills.

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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 a range of activities and routines inside and outside.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder and a grandparent.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documents including children's records, safeguarding procedures and the accident book.  The inspector took account of letters from parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with her husband and three school-aged children. The family has two cats. The whole ground floor, with the exception of the utility room, is available for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the home includes some steps. The childminder's husband is registered as an assistant to provide occasional help as necessary.The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for older children. She offers care on a daily basis, before and after school, and during school holidays. She walks to the local school and other early years facilities to take and collect children. She is able to provide emergency overnight care for one child. The childminder has previously worked as a Doctor of clinical psychology and holds a relevant degree in this field.

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

 extend the range of resources, media and materials to develop early writing skills

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

 provide a range of resources and experiences that reflect the diverse cultures in the community to support children's understanding of what makes them unique.

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who attend

The childminder has a thorough understanding of the education programmes and provides interesting challenges across the seven areas of learning. Children are effectively supported by high quality interactions and effective teaching to make good progress. When the children first arrive the childminder takes time to find out about their individual interests and routines. She is very skilled at making secure attachments that support the emotional needs of the children. She makes accurate assessments to inform their developmental starting points. Using observations of the children, the childminder plans a creative, stimulating environment for learning. The indoor and outdoor spaces are used effectively to motivate and engage children in play. For example, the bright 'wigwam' to create a den and the toy snake hiding in the flower border.

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who attend

Toddlers enjoy the freedom of space to begin to walk around with confidence. High priority is given to physical development and learning outside. The childminder organises trips in the local area every day, widening the learning experiences for the children. The children can choose from a range of high quality books and resources. This system promotes independence and encourages children to select their own activities safely. The children make marks in the sand but have a limited range of resources to develop early writing skills, in preparation for the next stage in their early education.

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who attend

The garden area is secure and carefully designed to support learning. The children delight in climbing in and out of the sand pit and explore the wide selection of natural materials available. Children are encouraged to experiment and play, ably supported by the childminder. She is skilled at teaching the children new vocabulary and encouraging early speaking by singing songs and rhymes. The children are supported in making friends and acquiring self-care skills appropriate for their ages. Overall, they are well prepared for the next stages of learning.

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who attend

The older children enjoy planting seeds and growing tomato plants in unusual containers, including a pair of walking boots! This promotes an understanding of caring for living things and working together. The childminder provides a range of toys and resources that cater for older children after school. These are chosen to support children's individual learning needs and interests, and children are making progress within their expected stage of development. The childminder is creative in the use of recycled and everyday resources for play; for example, by using saucepans and wooden spoons to make sounds. However, there are fewer sources that represent different cultures to help children's growing understanding of similarities and differences and what makes them unique.

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who attend

The childminder has a robust system in place to share the children's learning with parents. A daily diary of learning, including annotated photographs of the children playing and learning, is sent home after each visit. This approach encourages the parents to contribute their knowledge what the children are learning at home. This joint contribution creates a full picture of the children's all round development.

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

The childminder is very skilled in forming secure emotionally attachments. Children are confident and beginning to show developing independence. The childminder is in tune with toddlers' non -verbal communications; for example, by understanding that one toddler wished to return to her high chair for another drink. The childminder responded to this request and positively encouraged spontaneous play with water on a tray.

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

The home is secure and safe for all children. Regular risk assessments are carried out and fire drills are arranged. The older children have developed their own fire evacuation plan, as the childminder encourages them to think about their own safety. Road safety is reinforced daily on the walk to school. Children all have sun protection and hats in the hot weather. They are encouraged to drink plenty of water, effectively keeping them safe in the sun.

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

Children are learning about appropriate behaviour by helping to set the 'house rules'. These are reinforced with caring relationships with the childminder. The good partnership with parents helps to give consistent messages to the children. The childminder is an effective role model who gives lots of praise and encouragement, supporting children to understand right and wrong. The children are forming good relationships with one another and learning to be independent.

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

The childminder has high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. She provides a nutritious mid-day meal and snacks in the morning and afternoon and encourages hand washing before and after meals. This supports children's learning about a healthy life style. Nappy changing routines are sensitively carried out meeting individual needs. Older children are encouraged to be independent, responsible for their own personal care needs. The childminder keeps records on admission of different medical or dietary needs, and adapts menus appropriately. Parents are provided with a diary of the day including sleep time, meals and general well-being, keeping them well informed.

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

The importance of secure attachments and children's well being is a priority for the childminder. The children are forming close relationships and friendships that support and help them when new situations arise in their lives, such as the move to nursery or school.

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provision

The childminder has robust policies and procedures to meet her responsibility to safeguard children. All the necessary checks for the childminder and her family have been completed. She has a thorough understanding of child protection and the procedures to follow if she had any concerns about a child or any allegations were made against the childminder.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements and monitors children's progress effectively. This is based on a thorough understanding of the seven areas of learning and how children learn. She has started to monitor the quality of provision and practice identifying areas to improve.

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provision

Partnership with parents and other providers in the local area is effective. The support from the local authority has been valuable in helping the childminder prepare for her inspection and signpost to further training courses. She plans to attend training on completing the progress check for children aged two years, showing her commitment to keeping her knowledge up to date. The childminder visits a local pre-school where children experience 'messy play' and are encouraged to socialise with other children. As babies the children attended a 'Bounce and Rhyme' session to promote early language skills.

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provision

Parents are very happy with the provision and information they receive about the children's attainment and progress. One parent commented 'she is a committed, caring approachable person who listens to children needs.' This partnership is effective in meeting the needs of all children and appropriate interventions are taken for children to receive the support they need.

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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 EY456744 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 901575 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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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