Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/05/2014 19/11/2008

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 1 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 1

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 The childminder works extremely well with parents to sensitively help children settle into her care and develops warm and caring relationships with them. This helps children feel safe and secure and supports their emotional well-being exceptionally well.  The childminder is warm and caring and is extremely attentive to the children who she places at the heart of her work. The children have positive and trusting relationships and are clearly very contented and extremely well motivated to explore and learn.  The childminder is innovative in extending thinking and learning by providing an excellent range of imaginative and engaging fun experiences based on exploratory play and the children's interests.  A high quality partnership and communication with parents ensures joined up thinking and promotes a united approach to the children's learning.  Behaviour is exemplary as a result of the continuous positive role modelling from the

p.1

This provision is outstanding

childminder.  The childminder demonstrates consistently high quality interaction with all the children.  The childminder assesses and monitors children's learning and development effectively to promote good progress.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main downstairs rooms and the garden and interacted with the children.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection and discussed activities with her.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to parents and children and also looked at written feedback and comments from parents about the provision.  The inspector looked at children's development records and a selection of policies.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her two children aged ten years and eight years old. They live in a terrace house in Corsham, Wiltshire which is accessible from the road, with a small step down to the front door. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding which includes a bright, purpose built playroom extending from the large kitchen/diner. Children are able to sleep in a room upstairs and there is an easily accessible fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She holds a diploma in Childcare at Level 3. The childminder provides care every week day during term time only and will care for children before and after school. There are currently 9 children on roll. he childminder visits the local shops, library, woods and play areas on a daily basis. The childminder has a very small family dog but she is kept separate from the

p.3

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

 consider ways to extend the existing relationships with local schools to include them more in transition processes in order to support the older children in their move into school.

p.3

who attend

Children progress to an excellent standard because the childminder uses her in depth knowledge of how children learn and links observations of the children at play to the seven areas of learning and development. This means she is able to identify children's next steps and use them to inform her planning. Children's excellent progress is evident and they are all developing the skills and confidence that will strongly support them for their future learning and their eventual move into school. When a child starts with the childminder she discusses their particular abilities, needs and interests with their parents so that she knows their starting points and can plan appropriately. Parents are given an 'All about me' sheet to complete with their child, and the childminder uses this information to help the child to settle. This can be having a child's favourite toys available for them to choose from in order to make them feel welcome and settle easily. This settling in

p.3

who attend

procedure means children can progress at their own level and in their own time and provides an excellent foundation to learning.

p.3

who attend

The childminder helps the children learn and develop through providing innovative, enjoyable, motivating learning experiences that are firmly based on her knowing the children extremely well. All children are given time to learn at their own pace appropriate to their age and stage of development. She knows the starting points of the children and understands how to support their learning and development so that they reach their fullest potential. The childminder is skilled in using information from observing the children to plan a range of excellent fun activities that are imaginative and engaging, based on exploratory play and the children's interests. These include engaging in water play in the garden where children enjoy playing with toys to see if they will float or sink, building the water toys up into towers, playing with bubbles in the water and then making snow showers by clapping their bubble filled hands together. Children also demonstrate their

p.3

who attend

excellent engagement and concentration when painting to different styles of music or making hand prints on paper on the painting easel. They accompany the childminder on trips out to the woods to enjoy such activities as pond dipping in a little stream. All resources are very well organised, labelled with pictures and words, making them easily- accessible to all children. This means that all children can choose toys and activities confidently. It allows them to engage in child-initiated exploratory play and develop their independent learning.

p.4

who attend

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents. They are able to view and contribute to their child's learning journal folder at any time and contribute frequently. The childminder also includes family themed planning which allows the children's families to take part in the activities the children enjoy. It helps them to understand how children learn and how they can play an active part in their children's learning, thereby promoting a united approach to their children's learning. Children are keen and very well motivated to learn and enthusiastically explore the exciting and challenging activities available. The childminder actively and with extreme skill, engages the children's interests by asking open-ended questions and extending children's vocabulary sensitively without disrupting the flow of play. For example, during an activity about animals, the childminder encourages children to think about their responses to her questions. The children talk

p.4

who attend

about different animals, their habitats and what they like to eat. The childminder seamlessly extends this activity into books and familiar songs that the children know, to extend their knowledge and increasing vocabulary.

p.4

who attend

Weekly cooking activities involve children making choices about healthy eating and the childminder extends children's learning by integrating conversations about words and numbers as the children weigh and use recipes.

p.4

who attend

The children enjoy singing favourite songs and rhymes and take part in Letters and Sounds activities often during the week. The childminder plans trips out every day to a variety of places that include the local park and woods, the library and shops.

p.4

who attend

The children are all very confident and clearly gain the skills they need in preparation for their next stage of learning at school.

p.4

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

Children settle well and develop confidence because the childminder's home is a well resourced, inviting and caring environment for young children. She works very closely with parents to sensitively settle children with the move from home into her care and carries on working successfully with all parents whilst the children are in her care.

p.5

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

Information gathered from parents and by observing the children helps her to get to know individual children very well. This means she is able to meet their individual needs and promote their well-being and independence. The childminder uses innovative and highly successful strategies to engage parents and families in their children's learning and development.

p.5

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

The childminder values each child's individuality and speaks to them clearly and respectfully. She is extremely attentive towards them and places the children's welfare at the heart of her work. The children respond well to her, enjoying a positive and trusting relationship and show respect and care for each other and visitors. They clearly feel secure with her and remain comfortable and at ease when a visitor arrives at the home.

p.5

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

The childminder is a very good role model to the children through her calm and reassuring manner Children's behaviour is exemplary as a result of the continuous and positive role modelling from the childminder and because the children are busy and enjoy what they are doing.

p.5

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

Children's healthy lifestyles are very well promoted. They rest or sleep according to their needs and individual routines at home in a quiet bedroom upstairs. This means they wake up refreshed and ready to resume their play. They learn how to keep healthy through trips out in the fresh air every day and healthy food choices of fruit and vegetables. The childminder is happy to work in partnership with parents to promote healthy eating for their children and does this very sensitively and effectively. Children's hygiene routines are very well supported. The childminder displays colourful, child friendly posters containing words and pictures around the home and in the downstairs bathroom. This helps children to understand why they need to wash hands before eating, after using the toilet and allows them to carry out tasks independently.

p.5

provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of the welfare and safeguarding and learning and development requirements. Children are kept very safe as the childminder fully understands her role and responsibility to protect them from harm. She has completed safeguarding training, has a clear and comprehensive safeguarding policy and understands the procedures to follow if she had concerns about a child's well-being. The childminder is inspirational in her commitment to ensuring children are kept safe in her care and that they experience a high quality of provision and achieve a high standard of learning and development.

p.5

provision

The childminder understands the importance of risk assessments and is vigilant in minimising hazards, enabling children in her care to play freely and safely. The childminder also has evacuation and fire drill procedures in place. A good adult to child ratio is maintained enabling children to receive high quality care and teaching.

p.5

provision

The childminder has a high level, secure understanding of child development and how children learn. She displays an excellent understanding of the seven areas of learning and development. The childminder closely monitors the progress of all the children and plans activities and experiences for them accordingly. She ensures that they are extremely well supported throughout their play. Activities and her response to children are appropriate to their age and stage of development, enabling them to learn at their own pace but be stretched through engaging activities and conversations. Careful assessment of the children at play aids the childminder in ensuring any gaps in children's learning can be closed.

p.6

provision

The childminder continually reflects on her practice and identifies any areas in which she could improve the provision she offers. She actively seeks and welcomes parents' views and feedback. She responds well to the views of the children in her care appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder attends regular training to keep up to date with relevant legislation.

p.6

provision

The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with other professionals to ensure that all children are able to meet their full potential. She maintains a successful partnership with the Local Authority, local Childminding Networks and the local Children's Centre.

p.6

provision

All required documentation is efficiently well maintained and readily available for inspection. Comprehensive details are gathered about each child and written parental consents are obtained to ensure children are cared for according to parents' wishes. Information such as training certificates, policies and other relevant information is shared with parents.

p.6

provision

The childminder establishes positive and trusting relationships with parents and promotes a regular and open exchange of communication between them. This ensures parents are well informed and individual children's needs are met and their welfare promoted.

p.6

provision

The childminder is unquestionably valued by parents. They all speak extremely highly of her and their children's experiences in her care and particularly of the care and concern she shows towards their children. All parents have come to the childminder via recommendations and are very happy and willing to confirm how they feel about her. One parent said 'how grateful they were to have found her for their child'.

p.6

provision

Parents like the home from home environment, and comment on how happy they are with the care she gives their children and the respect they both receive. Children are very happy too and comment on how 'Bryony's house is happy' and 'there is lots to with at Bryony's'.

p.6

provision

The childminder prepares all children exceptionally well for their future education and schooling.

p.6

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

p.7

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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

p.8

Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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.

p.8

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.

p.9

Setting details

Unique reference number EY359050 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 837954 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 9

p.9

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.

p.9

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.10

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,

p.10

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’.

p.11

Type of provision

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

p.11