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

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Unique reference number EY365286 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Ann Winifred Harrison

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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 2007. He lives and works with his wife, who is also a registered childminder and their two children aged 10 and 14 in Lichfield. Local shops and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor, along with the first floor bathroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. Although, the premises are easily accessible, they may not be suitable for children with mobility issues as the toilet is located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. He is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder minds with his wife and currently they are caring for six children between them. All of the children are under five years. He drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends local community facilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a level three qualification in Early Years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder works closely with his wife to implement effective procedures to ensure that children's welfare and learning is supported well. He establishes a good partnership with parents and other providers to ensure that individual needs are met. The majority of necessary documentation is in place. The childminder shows a strong commitment to improving his practice through on going training and development. He provides a warm and caring environment where all children are included and make good progress in their learning and development. Effective planning and organisation ensures that children experience a wide range of stimulating and exciting activities taking into account their own preferences.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for self evaluation to identify the settings strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  obtain information about who has legal contact with the child and who has paretnal responsibilty for the child.

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provision

The childminder implements a broad range of policies and procedures to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements and ensures that children are always safe and well cared for. The majority of the required documents contain This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comprehensive information with the exception of the record of who has parental responsibility for the child which means records are not complete. All records are shared very actively with parents and the childminder works with them to ensure that individual needs are met. Parents provide detailed information on their child's individual routine which enables the childminder to individualise each child's care. Regular communication about children's learning together with information on notice boards and details of the weeks plans help parents to understand their child's progress linked to the learning framework. Close relationships have been

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provision

instigated with other settings providing for children in the EYFS to ensure continuity of care and education.

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provision

Children have a very healthy diet as the childminder provides very nutritious home cooked meals and snacks. For example, children enjoy a wide variety or fruit such as pineapple and mango, they enjoy a cooked lunch each day such as beef casserole and fresh vegetables. Children can drink whenever they are thirsty as drinks are available for them to access at all times. The childminder is beginning to use self-assessment to ensure continually positive outcomes for children. However, there is not a system in place to identify weaknesses and areas for development. The childminder actively attends a broad range of training on key issues such as first aid, food hygiene and equality and diversity to continually update his knowledge and skills to improve the service to children.

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provision

Children's welfare is continually safeguarded. The childminder has recently attended advanced training in child protection. Consequently, he is very aware of his role within Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has supportive literature readily to hand, thus ensuring any concerns can be handled in a swift and calm manner. Effective and ongoing risk assessments are in place to ensure children are safe in the home. Security in and around the home is good and the childminder checks to see who is at the door before allowing entry. Toys and equipment are checked frequently to ensure safety and cleanliness.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment. He allows the children time for free play and they can choose from a very good selection of toys and resources which are easily accessible to the children. The childminder has effective strategies in place to manage behaviour and uses praise and stickers to promote positive behaviour. The childminder and his wife plan their days and activities according to the weather and children's interests, plans cover all six areas of learning and show a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. The childminder makes regular observations to assess children's progress through the EYFS to enable them to plan for children's next steps in learning, this ensures that children's learning and development is effectively promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is caring and engages in the children's play, for example, he builds train tracks with the children and extends their learning through good questioning. He introduces early counting skills as they count the trains on the track. He develops mathematical language as they talk about the longest and shortest track. They enjoy outings to the local park and to local community facilities, which helps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to develop their physical and social skills. They are beginning to learn about the wider world as they listen to stories about children in other countries and discuss the food they eat. They try different fruit from other countries and discuss where it comes from. They take part in a charity collection for children from poorer countries and compare the differences in their lives. This helps children to value

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children explore their senses as they go out in the sensory area in the garden, they smell the lavender and look at the shiny mobiles. They learn about the natural world as they make bird cake to put on the bird table and grow strawberries, tomatoes and sunflowers. They have opportunities to use a computer with supervision from the childminder, to access suitable learning programmes. Records and documentation is in place to ensure children's health needs are met, the childminder follows children's dietary needs to ensure their individual needs are adhered to. Good hygiene procedures for nappy changing and individual towels for hand washing limit the risk of cross contamination. 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? 2 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? 2

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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?

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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 that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register 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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