Childminder in Shropshire

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 506630 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 lives with her husband and adult son in a cottage in a rural area of South Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the house is accessible and is used for childminding along with the first floor bathroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a cat and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time, she presently has 10 children attending on a part-time basis throughout the week. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They make suitable progress in their learning and development because they are well-supported; the childminder provides interesting and stimulating activities and works closely in partnership with parents in most areas to meet children's individual needs. Everyone is warmly welcomed and given equal chance to succeed. Some routines and areas of documentation, however, are not fully developed to ensure children's well-being. The childminder has a realistic awareness of her own provision and is keen to make improvements where necessary.

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further?

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

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further?

 liaise with parents further to sensitively meet the needs of each child; this particularly relates to toilet training procedures (Organisation)  develop the risk assessments to cover anything with which a child may come into contact; this particularly relates to the temperature of the premises; hygiene routines and the maintenance of equipment and outings

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure in respect of every person aged 16 or over who lives on the premises (Suitable people) 12/01/2009  display the certificate of registration. (Documentation) 08/12/2008

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's vast experience as a carer and the knowledge she has gained throughout her career and while undertaking an NVQ3 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 qualification in early years. They enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works in partnership with their parents, discussing most of their children's routines and interests and ensuring that they are well-informed about their welfare, achievements and progress. However, the arrangements for toilet training have not been discussed or fully considered to ensure that they meet children's needs. The childminder is developing partnerships with other early years providers who share the care of her minded children to promote consistency.

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provision

The childminder has taken action to minimise most risks to children, including making low glass safe and the fireplace inaccessible. She has conducted risk assessments on some aspects of her provision, however, these are not yet fully developed to take account of outings or of the effectiveness of everyday routines and everything that children come into contact with during their care and are not wholly effective in ensuring children's welfare in all areas. For instance some items of equipment, although well-loved, are worn and unclean, and hygiene routines are at times ineffective in preventing cross-infection. The childminder is able to provide constant supervision while children are being cared for in her home as only the ground floor facilities are used. However, relevant vetting procedures for her family members have not been updated to promote children's safety. Children are protected because the childminder has a suitable knowledge of local child

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provision

The premises are child friendly, and the childminder's calm and reassuring nature ensures that children are settled and secure. The ambient temperature of the premises is adequate for mobile and active children but is not suitable to ensure the comfort of those who are non-mobile. Most of the required documentation is adequately maintained, but at times is difficult to follow. Policies are available to underpin the practice and are available to parents so that they understand how the provision operates, however, the certificate of registration is not displayed.

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provision

The childminder is very proactive in the consideration of her areas for development and is sincere and realistic about her plans for improvement. She recognises her weaknesses and seeks guidance from the Local Authority's development staff to help her improve, particularly in the areas of documentation and the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have suitable opportunities to learn and develop through a balanced range of adult and child-led activities that reflect children's interests and capabilities. They can access toys and resources easily and are encouraged to make choices and explore. They are supported well by the childminder as she has a sound understanding of how children progress towards the early learning goals and how to provide a broad range of activities and experiences to support all areas of learning. She has initiated observations and assessments of children and keeps examples of their work to document and celebrate their achievements, but she has yet to use these most effectively when planning for the next stages in their learning or to involve parents in establishing children's starting points. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children become aware of the importance of fresh air and exercise as they benefit

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

from an interesting range of outings with the childminder in the rural locality, during such trips children learn about the importance of road safety and particularly the hazards they may encounter in the countryside. The natural environment plays an important part of their time in the setting with visits to farms to observe farm machinery and paddling in the nearby shallow stream. They explore the countryside, climbing on a collection of logs and observing fauna and flora and the seasonal changes. Counting, colour and shape recognition is built into routine activities and children's early language skills are supported well as the childminder recognises the need to listen carefully and allow children opportunities to express themselves. Children are confident in their play, they have built warm trusting relationships with the childminder, which enables them to feel secure and confident to explore their surroundings. They are developing a good understanding

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of how to behave responsibly and respectfully through clear and consistent messages provided by the childminder who is calm and considerate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to understand and adopt healthy habits such as suitable hygiene practices as they wash their hands at appropriate times for instance after handling the pets, although these are not consistently effective; their interest in wiping and cleaning the toys is harnessed as they take it in turns to wash the tea-set in a bowl of soapy water. Children enjoy a varied diet and any special dietary needs are sensitively met. 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? 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure the premises and equipment are safe and suitable (this also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register)(Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 12/01/2009  display the certificate of registration.(Documentation) 08/12/2008 To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 display the certificate of registration (Documentation) 08/12/2008  ensure the premises and equipment are safe and suitable. (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 12/01/2009 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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