Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 223790 Inspection date 06/01/2009 Inspector Janette Elizabeth Owen

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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 son aged 13 in the village of Bucknell in Shropshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. The garden has a raised area which incorporates a steep drop which is fenced off, children only access the garden under supervision. Children have access to the local area and surrounding countryside on a daily basis. There are gerbils as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also provides care for children aged over five years. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. The childminder's practice is inclusive and children take part in a range of interesting activities that support their individual learning needs well. Most procedures are in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted satisfactorily. Information provided by parents is used effectively to ensure the childminder is able to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder has evaluated some aspects of her practice and identified areas for improvement these particularly refer to improving systems to support children's learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a culture of reflective practice, self evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 take steps to prevent intruders entering the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children’s’ welfare: also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/01/2009  conduct a full risk assessment, including for all types of outings and review it regularly, at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises ( Suitable premises, environment and equipment: also applies to 16/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 both parts of the Childcare Register).

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provision

Children are able to make good developmental progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) because the childminder is experienced and capable of providing good quality learning experiences for the children in her care. She continues to improve her knowledge and understanding through training. This contributes to positive outcomes for children. Weaknesses in the welfare requirements mean that children's welfare is not fully protected. Risk assessments are not effective in ensuring that all risks to children have been identified particularly in relation to taking children on outings and ensuring that the premises are secure. Although children are well supervised, doors and gates are not secured to prevent intruders entering the premises. The childminder has begun to develop a range of written policies to back her work practices and provide useful information to parents.

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provision

The childminder uses information provided by parents to ensure she meets their expectations in relation to how their child is cared for. The childminder is flexible in meeting the needs of parents and maintains a good two-way flow of information regarding children's daily routines and developmental requirements. A daily diary is completed by the childminder providing parents with a lovely record of the activities their child has been involved in each day and this notes the progress they are making.

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provision

The childminder takes reasonable steps to promote children's welfare in the home. They benefit from the healthy, freshly cooked meals and snacks the childminder provides. Children are encouraged to help prepare meals and regularly participate in cookery activities which provide good learning experiences which are enjoyable and fun. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect because she has a sound understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Safety equipment is fitted around the home and children are taught how to use tools and play equipment safely. The childminder has particular regard to ensuring toys are safe and suitable for the children's ages and stages of development.

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provision

The childminder has yet to develop a robust system to identify her strengths, any weaknesses and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. The areas for improvement which have been identified relate to the planning of activities and developing ways of sharing information more effectively with parents on their child's development thus enabling them to be more involved. Recommendations made at the previous inspection have been addressed appropriately improving children's safety and enabling them to access resources which promote their understanding of diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, homely environment where their individual needs are understood and positive steps are taken to ensure they are able to settle well and make good developmental progress. Regular access to physical activity both indoors and outside is used well to help children understand the importance of healthy lifestyles, and to learn about the world in which they live. This is complemented by the range of healthy food offered to the children. They are learning good attitudes towards being healthy. Children are learning to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks to children about safety during activities so that they develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The interaction between the childminder and children is very supportive, they are given opportunities to make decisions for themselves such as what food they want to eat or a choice in activities they enjoy. Children benefit from the calm approach used by the childminder; she allows children to try things for themselves and gently guides children in learning right from wrong by using positive strategies to manage behaviour. They receive lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Children's awareness of diversity is raised through activities such as celebrating events, using music, instruments and games with younger children and books and stories with older children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Cookery activities are regularly provided and used well as a means to help children develop their communication, language and numeracy; for example, the childminder talks to the children about what they are doing introducing the names of the ingredients helping them develop their vocabulary in relation to descriptive words about texture and taste as they touch and taste the food. They learn about quality and how to pour and mix as they stir the ingredients together to make tasty flapjacks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and is able to guide them towards acquiring new skills and understanding because she has a good understanding of the EYFS and child development. Children are engaged in a good range of interesting activities both in and out of doors with a balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities, resulting in children being active learners, creative and able to think critically. The childminder identifies the progress children are making through observations of the child, this information is used effectively to plan the next stage of the child's learning taking into account their individual needs and interests. 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? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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

 Keep a record of the home address of each child looked after on the premises (Records to be kept: also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 20/01/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children’s’ welfare and Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 16/02/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children’s’ welfare and Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 16/02/2009 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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