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 209539 Inspection date 30/09/2008 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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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 2000 and lives with her husband and two adult children in Staffordshire. There is good access to the property as the areas used for childminding are all on the ground floor. Areas used are: the conservatory, kitchen, toilet and garage and 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 and is currently minding four children in the early years age group on a part- time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local pre-school groups and has contact with other local childminders. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She works closely with the local school, nursery and parents to ensure all children's specific needs are met. Children are relaxed, settled and respected as individuals by the childminder and her family. The provision is well organised to enable inclusion in all activities for all children. The childminder is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets the majority of the specific legal welfare requirements. She is beginning to plan and assess her activities to show the rate of children's progress and next steps in their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the complaints procedure contains the contact details of Ofsted. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 increase awareness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's policies and procedures 14/10/2008  conduct risk assessments of outings and review regularly. 14/10/2008

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provision

Children's care, safety and welfare are promoted because the childminder regularly attends training courses, such as first aid and health and safety. She also attends This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 workshops on the Early Years Foundation Stage and training on managing disability in young people. However, she is still to extend her knowledge and understanding of all the statutory welfare requirements.

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provision

Records, policies and procedures that support the childminder to promote positive outcomes for children are well maintained. Parents provide detailed information on their children's needs to enable the childminder to plan and provide care and learning that is tailored to each individual child. Children's individual port folio assessment records are under development and shared with parents. Currently, aspects of the children's care are discussed with parents verbally, including the type of free play activities children choose each day. This contributes to parents' involvement in their children's learning at home.

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provision

Children's welfare is generally well managed within the home. The childminder protects children from harm or neglect as she has a sound understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse. However, she is not fully aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's policies and procedures. Fire detection equipment is fitted to both levels of the home and in good order. However, risk assessments have not been undertaken to ensure children remain safe during activities both inside and outside the home.

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provision

The childminder is developing systems to monitor and evaluate the provision and she frequently discusses her service with parents and adjusts where improvements are necessary. For example, policies and procedures are under review and updated information is shared with other providers. The complaints policy is still to be updated to include Ofsted's contact details for parents. Systems to monitor continuous improvement and self-evaluation are in place and used to inform targets in future plans. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their children's care as they are provided with photographs and examples of their children's work. Parents are encouraged to comment on the provision. Comments show how parents value the sound standard of care and learning given to their children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is consistently promoted by the childminder. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy because they have frequent opportunities for outdoor play activities and they walk to and from nursery each day. They are taught to routinely follow the good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before food and enjoy their nutritious healthy snacks. Children are helped to keep themselves safe as they understand safety rules, such as holding onto the pushchair and wearing wrist straps when out walking.

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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. Children's self-esteem and well-being is fostered as the childminder ensures children have individual attention. She adapts her plans for learning and care to take account of children's starting points and likes and dislikes as discussed with the children and their parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 as they learn to share and play companionably together. Numeric skills develop as they meaningfully use numbers with everyday tasks. Children choose to select books to read during free play. For example 'Who hiding in the house', which

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

supports them to extend their reading skills being developed at nursery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy activities based on their own travel to holiday destinations and look at pictures in travel brochures to further promote their understanding of the wider world. They discover the natural world outside in the garden by growing tomatoes and sunflowers and hunting for worms. The childminder is developing plans of activities and methods to monitor and evaluate her own practice and the children's progress. The childminder regularly praises and congratulates the children on their progress and achievements to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Older children react positively to the childminder's high expectations for good behaviour and help to plan and arrange their own activities. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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: Met

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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

 increase awareness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's policies and procedures 14/10/2008  conduct risk assessments of outings and review regularly. 14/10/2008 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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