Childminder in Staffordshire

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 EY292916 Inspection date 02/12/2008 Inspector Christine Holmes

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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, five and three years in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have two cats.

p.3

Description of the childminding

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and who speak English as an additional language. The premises are accessed via a step into the hall. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a child care qualification.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is supported well. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service and she has already highlighted weaknesses in her provision relating to meeting learning and development requirements but she has not yet addressed this. Children generally make sound progress in their learning and development because the learning environment is inclusive and accessible to all children with a range of activities on offer. This is supported by established links with parents and other settings. However, this is hindered by weaknesses in systems for planning and assessment and the childminder's experience and knowledge of the matters, skills and processes which are required to be taught in the EYFS.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 draw on the full range of quality improvement tools available, for example, The National Strategies Early Years Inclusion Development Programme Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs; Letters and Sounds: Principles and Practice of High Quality Phonics; Practice Guidance and CD-ROM- EYFS  continue to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form as the basis of ongoing interval review, assessing what the setting offers against the robust and challenging quality criteria.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  use observations to identify what children can do in order to plan to support their individual development (Learning and development) 23/12/2008  provide an action plan detailing how you will develop knowledge and understanding of the educational programmes: the matters, skills and processes which are required to be taught to young children (Learning and development). 23/12/2008

p.3

provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to providing children with an inclusive, accessible environment with the use of child-sized furniture, low-level storage of resources with children's work and positive images of diversity attractively displayed. She is actively striving to further develop her knowledge in a number of areas which leads to better outcomes for children. For example, she is undertaking the Level 3 Diploma in Home based Childcare and she is working towards Quality Assurance Certificate. However, she is not yet drawing upon the full range of resources available to childminders to address weakness she has identified through her emerging self-evaluation systems.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a very caring nature with children which supports their well- being. She spends her time with children giving them praise and encouragement. She has obtained information from the other settings that children attend in a bid to promote continuity for children. She encourages parents to become involved in the life of the setting and their children's learning, for example, she sends regular newsletters to parents to keep them informed of her plans and progress of the new play room which is currently being built. Daily diaries are sent home with a record of the general well-being of each child and activities they have taken part in. However, she is not always clear about how to support all areas of children's learning. She has begun to make observations of children at play but this is not yet used to plan to support their individual development. This means that children's learning is not fully supported.

p.4

provision

Children are kept safe and their health needs are well met. The childminder keeps and shares with parents well maintained records and effective polices and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting. Children are well protected from harm and abuse because the childminder is knowledgeable about safeguarding guidelines and procedures.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a learning environment that is interesting, colourful and fully inclusive. Displays and resources provide opportunities for them to learn about similarities and differences. They have access to a varied range of suitable resources which they use to initiate their own play and follow their own interest. As a result, children are becoming active learners, spending their time purposefully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 occupied, developing confidence and independent skills. However, the childminder does not always engage sufficiently well with them at this time by using open questioning techniques that encourage children to think, express themselves and solve problems in order for them to make as much progress as they can.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The attention given by the childminder to ensuring the environment and activities are safe supports children's understanding of their own safety. Children's good health is supported appropriately. They enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and have access to drinks throughout the day. Daily routines include outdoor activities and opportunities to develop personal hygiene skills.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a varied range of adult-led activities that help them to learn skills for the future. For example, the childminder takes children to local library where they choose books to use in the setting and to take home, which helps to develop their interest and enjoyment of books. Children attend a number of groups and social occasions that help them to develop social skills and build early friendships with other children. They make visits to local shops and parks, this provides opportunities for children to learn about nature and their local environment and road safety. However, the full potential of these experiences are not yet utilised by the childminder. She is not yet effectively using observational assessments to find out what children can do in all areas of learning in order to plan to support their individual development. 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? 3 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? 3

p.6

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?

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