Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208359 Inspection date 12/11/2008 Inspector Olwen Pulker

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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.

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Introduction

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.

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Introduction

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).

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Introduction

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. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and three children, of whom two are adults, in a suburb of Telford. The house is within walking distance of two local primary schools, local shops and play park. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and access is via a step into the hall. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play during the summer months. The family has three dogs, two cats and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children. She regularly takes children to toddler groups and meets with other childminders. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She organises space and resources to provide an inclusive environment and plans and provides experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development. Planning for children's next steps is not always effective as the childminder is not informed of what children are able to do when they initially attend the setting. The childminder evaluates her practise to identify areas for improvement. However, children are not fully safeguarded because she does not always comply with the conditions of her registration.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 extend the information gained from parents before children attend the setting with particular reference to what children already know or can do in order to inform initial assessments and planning

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 comply with the conditions of registration at all times with particular reference to adhering to the number and ages of children who may be present at any one time (Organisation) 12/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has recently completed training to update her awareness of child protection issues. She knows how to recognise, record and report concerns about children's welfare in order to protect them from harm or abuse. She maintains a current first aid certificate, enabling her to offer children appropriate care in an emergency. The childminder maintains risk assessments for the premises and each type of outing undertaken with children to help identify and minimise hazards to children. However, children are not fully safeguarded because the childminder does not consistently comply with the conditions of her registration in meeting the specific legal requirements for ratios of adults to children.

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provision

The childminder has developed positive partnerships with parents who appreciate the quality of care she provides. She makes time for the regular exchange of information. This ensures she understands parents' wishes for the care of their children and they, in turn, are informed of what the children have achieved at the setting. The childminder has also formed effective links with other settings children attend such as nurseries, to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information.

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provision

The childminder receives regular visits and guidance from the local authority early years support worker. She shows positive commitment to further develop her knowledge through attending various training courses aimed at improving her childcare skills. Recommendations leading to improvements are acted upon such as the introduction of fire drills to help children understand how to keep themselves safe in an emergency situation.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. There is an adequate range of easily accessible and well-maintained toys to promote purposeful play. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment that is organised well to meet the needs of the children. The childminder organises her time to give children individual attention so that each child feels special and valued. She provides appropriate support to children as they play, making acceptable use of incidental opportunities to consolidate their knowledge of colours, counting and talking to the children to develop their speech. They explore texture and colour when doing leaf rubbings and enjoy playdough. Children concentrate well and persevere for some time to complete jigsaws. Children benefit from suitable outings to explore the local environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is familiar with the children's interests and abilities and provides a range of play resources and activities to meet these. She is beginning to plan for the next steps in children's learning using observational assessments of what they can do so that children are sufficiently challenged and supported to fully extend their learning and development through play-based activities. However, she does not request information from parents regarding what the children may already know or can do when they first attend the setting in order to inform initial This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment and planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are appropriately protected from illness and infection and begin to understand and follow a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy the food and drinks provided by their parents and the childminder is satisfied that they are all provided with a nutritious, balanced diet. There are regular opportunities for active physical play in the park and children walk to and from school or nursery. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills when playing with other children as a group of local childminders get together weekly for group activities. Children behave well as the childminder employs effective methods to manage behaviour so that children learn what they ought to do and they respond positively to her realistic expectations and age-appropriate explanations. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s 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.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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