Inspection report for early years provision Unique reference number - removed for security purposes Inspection date: 03/10/2008 Inspector: Melissa Cox Type of setting: Childminder 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. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C. 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). 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. Description of the childminding The childminder was registered in 2008. He is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He lives with his wife who is a co-minder and their two children, one of whom is primary school age. They live in Bramley in Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding with children playing mainly on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is not accessible to wheelchair users. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and eight children under eight years when working together with his wife. There are currently seven children on roll on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Overall effectiveness of the early years provision Children enjoy a positive experience with the childminder. He welcomes all children and ensures they are very safe and secure at all times. The childminder meets children’s individual welfare requirements effectively and they progress well in their learning and development. Children have access to a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities, both indoors and outdoors. He builds effective relationships with parents to ensure the children's needs are well met. The childminder effectively develops his practice through regular reflection on current practice and taking steps to improve the provision for children. What steps need to be taken to improve provision further? To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: * further develop the system to share information about children's learning requirements with other EYFS providers to enhance children's learning The leadership and management of the early years provision The childminder takes a committed approach to childminding and understands the need to safeguard children at all times and to ensure all children are included. The childminder ensures that children are safeguarded through regular risk assessments. He is focused on helping children to make good progress in their learning and development, and promoting their welfare. All required documentation is in place and kept up to date to ensure accuracy of information. The childminder has an effective set of policies and procedures to underpin his practice. These are shared with parents, along with a good range of other information, so they understand his methods and what he offers the children. Required documentation is kept confidentially, securely and in good order. The childminder reflects effectively on his practice and shows good capacity to improve what he offers children. Good use is made of both formal and informal self-evaluation. He willingly undertakes training to improve his practice and awareness of changes to legislation relating to young children. The childminder establishes the initial care needs of children prior to them attending, though discussion with parents. Ongoing discussion and a daily diary ensures that a two way flow of communication is maintained, although this is still developing with other local Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providers. The quality and standards of the early years provision The childminder is highly effective at ensuring children remain safe whilst they are in his care. Resources are effectively used to maintain safety and aid their progress, both inside and outside the home. Comprehensive risk assessments help ensure children play safely. A range of effective practices the children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, when practising the fire evacuation plan. The childminder maintains children’s good health very well as their individual dietary needs are known to the childminder. Children enjoy mealtimes together and the childminder encourages children to try healthy foods, for example, potatoes, which they have grown themselves in the garden. The childminder has effective procedures in place to promote good hygiene practices. Children's exposure to illness and cross infection is minimised through sharing the formal sickness policy and the implementing of hygienic routines in the provision. Children make good progress in their learning. The childminder acts as a positive role model and his enthusiasm encourages children to show a positive attitude to learning. The high quality planning ensures children are suitably challenged with children’s individual interests taken into account. This ensures that there is a suitable balance between adult and child directed play. The childminder is building a sound knowledge of the learning and development requirements and uses this to guide children's learning. Regular observations and assessments are used to inform planning and children’s individual interests taken into account. The childminder offers good support for children to enable them to develop independence skills. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy being with the childminder and many of the experiences he offers them. The childminder’s home is organised to meet the needs of the children effectively. There is a wide range of age appropriate toys available to the children. Easily accessible storage units enable all children to easily self-select resources. The childminder has a good understanding of how to manage the behaviour of young children and uses this knowledge to ensure that children develop an understanding of right and wrong. Annex A: record of inspection judgements The key inspection judgements and what they mean Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Overall effectiveness How effective is the provision in meeting the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage? Good How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good Leadership and management How effectively is provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage led and managed? Good How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good How well are children safeguarded? Good Quality and standards How effectively are children in the Early Years Foundation Stage helped to learn and develop? Good How effectively is the welfare of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage promoted? Good How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good Any complaints about the inspection or report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk Annex B: the Childcare Register The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met Annex C: complaints made to Ofsted This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when: * we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or * we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or * the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register. We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider. Detail of the complaints Since registration no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. | ||
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