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

p.1

Unique reference number 208424 Inspection date 24/11/2008 Inspector Olwen Pulker

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband and their adult daughter in a suburb of Telford. A shallow ramp leads to the front door of the property. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one cat.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare register and the voluntary Childcare register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has four children on roll. She walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends local carer/toddler groups on a regular basis.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and also of the local accredited childminder network.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes good outcomes for children in all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are happy and settled in a safe and secure environment where they are all offered a balanced range of adult-led and child- initiated activities. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure all children's specific needs are met. She is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets the specific legal welfare requirements. Planning of activities clearly meets the needs and interests of the children and her evaluative observations and assessments enable her to securely identify children's next steps. The childminder continuously reflects on her practice.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop further the systems of observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs.

p.3

provision

Children's care, safety and welfare are promoted well as the childminder continues to update her professional skills through attending numerous training workshops, for example, Child Development, Enabling Environments and Healthy Eating. She also attends various workshops on different aspects within the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a member of an accredited childminder network the quality of her provision is regularly monitored under the Children Come First quality assurance scheme. In addition, her own evaluation successfully identifies the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strengths of the setting and any areas of weakness are acted upon effectively to achieve improvements for the children and parents who use her service.

p.3

provision

Well-maintained records, policies and procedures are shared with parents and support the childminder to promote positive outcomes for children. The childminder provides a friendly and relaxed environment for parents and children, and this helps to ensure that children's individual needs are met on a daily basis. She liaises effectively with other childcare facilities which the children attend and has been informed of future topics and themes in which the children will be involved. Information is shared about children's current achievements to support planning to consistently enable individual progress towards the early learning goals. Verbal reports, the sharing of daily diaries and examples of the children's work keep parents well informed and contributes to their involvement in their children's learning at home.

p.4

provision

Children's welfare and safety is well managed within the home. The childminder protects children from harm or neglect as she has a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's policies and procedures. In addition, she has precise collection procedures and is also able to identify those with parental responsibility. Safety equipment is suitably located to promote children's safety. Risk assessments have been undertaken to ensure children remain safe during activities both inside and outside the home. The childminder maintains a first aid qualification.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is effectively promoted by the childminder. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy because they have frequent opportunities for both physical and outdoor play activities. They are taught to routinely follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands throughout their daily routines. A pictorial chart is pasted above the wash basin to act as a reminder of the correct sequence to follow and a step enables all children to independently reach the taps. Children eat well, enjoying both the fruit snacks and cooked meals provided by the childminder. They are involved in deciding the menu and contribute to the preparation of the meals through adding toppings to the home-made pizzas or mincing turkey meat to make sausages. Young children relish mixing cake ingredients, choosing which dried fruits and colours to add to the mixture. The childminder has provided a small water dispenser and children

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

are able to have drinks throughout the day. Younger children are prompted to have regular drinks to prevent them becoming thirsty. Children are helped to keep themselves safe as they learn how to use play equipment correctly and how to cross roads when out walking.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The play space is well planned and arranged to enable children to choose and participate in a range of stimulating activities that meet their play and development needs. The childminder is highly imaginative in producing a varied and interesting range of play resources using everyday materials to support an exciting range of activities for children to aid their progress in all areas of their development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's individuality is celebrated and promoted through the childminder's good understanding of child development and relationships with parents. She uses observational assessments and her knowledge of children's likes, dislikes and interests to offer simple, yet interesting activities and experiences which help children progress towards the early learning goals. This enables the children to maximise their learning whilst helping them to feel engaged and fulfilled.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to independently access a range of toys and equipment to help them make good progress in their personal, social and communication development. Numeric skills develop as they meaningfully use numbers in their play and during daily routines, for example, counting cars as they walk in the neighbourhood. Children visit the library for story time and have frequent opportunities to socialise with other children as they attend group sessions. They enjoy drawing and make valiant attempts at writing their names on their art work. When out-and-about they enjoy the challenge of finding familiar letters within street names and confidently point out their names that are displayed throughout the rooms they use. Children engage in a wide range of creative activities and develop their imagination extremely well in role play. Games of Bob the Builder evolve dramatically as the childminder provides protective clothing and building

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

materials and tools allowing children to cement bricks and hammer nails into wood. Children observe living things as they grow, tend and harvest vegetables and salad foods in the garden or track the movements of woodlice across sheets of paper placed on the floor. Children take part in a variety of craft activities and food tasting when celebrating different festivals to further promote their understanding of the wider world. They have excellent opportunities to learn about and appreciate diversity as they socialise with children who have disabilities.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have an excellent relationship with the childminder who regularly praises and congratulates them on their progress and achievements to develop their confidence and self-esteem. House rules help children understand boundaries and respect. The childminder acts as a good role model and children behave very well; they share and play companionably together and are mindful of other's feelings. They proudly award a star sticker when they recognise good behaviour in themselves and other children and a cuddly toy is used very effectively to manage any unacceptable behaviour. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8