Childminder in Herefordshire

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 EY370001 Inspection date 17/09/2008 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and nine years in Herefordshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding with exception of the main bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently minding three children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and two children in the older age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group and childminding support group. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted satisfactorily; their individual needs are understood and respected in relation to their daily routines. However, although children are provided with developmentally appropriate activities and opportunities for play and learning the childminder has yet to develop systems to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a homely environment which is generally safe and secure although risk assessments are not used effectively to ensure all aspects of safety are considered. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to further improving the service she offers and has attended a range of training to improve her knowledge and understanding. This broadens children experiences and contributes to the quality of care provided. She has yet to implement systems to effectively evaluate her practice in order to bring about continuous improvement and ensure all aspects of inclusion are considered.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet young children’s individual needs  devlop systems to evaluate the quality of the provision in order to bring about continuous improvement  develop practise to ensure provision is inclusive. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct risk assessments which are reviewed regularly and includes an assessment for each type of outing 17/10/2008  plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to 17/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child’s stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder organises her home to ensure that children are safe and well cared for. The childminder is flexible in meeting the needs of parents and works well in partnership with them to meet the individual needs of the children. There are good arrangements in place for obtaining information on children's daily routines and specific needs, parents' wishes in relation to the care their children receive are respected. This is particularly beneficial in relation to the care babies receive.

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provision

The childminders understanding of childcare and development is generally good and is beginning to develop ways to observe and record information on children's progress through a photographic record which enables parents to share in their child's learning and development. This information is not used to identify the next steps in the children's learning and to enable the childminder to plan activities and learning opportunities which are specific for each child's age and stage of development as they make progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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provision

The childminder uses sound practices to ensure children are generally safe and well cared for. Safety equipment is fitted where appropriate and the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection. Her practices are backed by written policies and procedures which are used to keep parents informed.

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provision

The childminder has not developed a robust system to monitor and evaluate the provision and ensure inclusion is fully understood and promoted. She has identified the need to improve her understanding of how the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) can be used to support the development of the very young children she cares for and is beginning to takes steps to do so.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to protect them from infection and takes appropriate action in the event of an accident or when they require medication. Although risk assessments are not routinely carried out the childminder has ensured the premises are safe for children by fitting safety equipment such as socket covers to prevent crawling babies touching the sockets and fire safety equipment is fitted. Even though the minded children are very young the childminder encourages them to be kind and considerate towards each other, showing them how to share and touch each other gently when showing affection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive a good level of attention from the childminder who demonstrates a caring and considerate attitude towards the children in her care. The interaction between the childminder and the children is good. Songs and rhymes are used to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help the young babies to explore their own movements, to begin to communicate and to develop an awareness of themselves. Babies receive comfort, are able to snuggle in and respond positively to the contact with the childminder. The daily routines of each child are respected, the childminder works hard to ensure that individual meal times and sleep patterns are discussed with parents and followed accordingly. The babies anticipate meal times with relish and express their need for food and drink with gestures and body language which is understood by the childminder who has got to know the children well. The childminder encourages

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their independence by providing opportunities for the babies to share control of their own food and drink.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A wealth of good quality toys are provided which are bright and interesting. The babies are placed safely on the floor where they can reach out for toys which capture their interest and begin to move independently towards what they want. They are responding to what they see, hear, feel and smell as they play with manipulative activities, soft animals and musical toys. The childminder takes children on outings both locally and further a field such as to parks, the woods and the sea-side. This enables them to use their senses to experience different environments. Visits to local support groups also enable children to become more sociable and confident. However, because the childminder has not fully developed her planning and assessments, there are no effective methods implemented to extend their learning taking into account their individual needs. 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? Satisfactory 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? Satisfactory

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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? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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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: 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 since registration.

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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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