Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

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 224624 Inspection date 03/12/2008 Inspector John Vernon

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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 1992. She lives with her adult son and daughter in a detached house in a residential area of Stoke-on-Trent, at the northern end of the city.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a toilet on the ground floor. All areas of the property are easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is register to care for six children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and two children in the later years age group. All children attend part-time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends parent and toddler groups and is currently involved in setting up a new group locally. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Each child’s development is supported well through a varied range of play activities and experiences. Children’s individuality is recognised and used as a starting point to begin to plan for each child’s learning through play. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and promotion of each child's learning and development needs. All children are included in activities through thoughtful adaptation and organisation of both activities and resources. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving her practice and self- evaluation is being developed and used as an effective tool for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure methods of assessment and observation are evaluative and use these to identify and plan the learning priorities for each child, matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals (Learning and development)  support and further develop children's understanding and use of technology and ICT to include for example, CD players, tape recorders and programmable toys (Learning and development)  help and further develop children's opportunites to explore and question differences in language, gender and disability (Learning and development). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children’s welfare is promoted well within the home. Effective systems are in place to safeguard children and the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures. Appropriate record keeping and suitable awareness of the latest government guidelines ensures children are protected from harm or neglect.

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provision

The childminder has started to assess her practice and evaluate the care and learning she provides. For example, she has completed a detailed self-evaluation form prior to inspection identifying some strengths along with some areas for improvement. Consequently, her proactive approach ensures that overall children’s needs are met well. The childminder fosters a positive approach to inclusion. Books, dolls, pictures and activities, along with conversation help to raise children’s awareness of cultural diversity, however, the childminder is aware that not enough is done to fully promote children’s learning in this area.

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provision

The childminder has produced a range of written policies to inform parents of her practice. She has also completed a range of risk assessments to ensure the children’s safety during indoor and outdoor play remains paramount. Partnerships with parents are good and regular discussion, along with daily diaries, ensure a valuable exchange of information to ensure the needs of all children are met. Each child has a scrapbook in which their art work is collated. The childminder records information about each child’s day in a daily journal and takes pictures of the children at play to share with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. Relationships with children are warm and friendly and lots of one to one attention is provided. The childminder talks to children about house rules and gently reminds them to be careful as they get out toys for play. Children are helped to understand the importance of being responsible for their own safety by being encouraged to hold hands and stay close when away from the home on visits.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the children which enables her to tap into their individual interests. She encourages all children to be involved and have fun, regardless of age by adapting activities. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating experiences that encourage their intellectual and creative development. The play space is suitably organised and children’s preferences are respected as they move freely to access resources and activities of their choice. The childminder is caring and engages in children’s play extending their learning well as they develop their imagination playing with the home corner equipment. The childminder’s sensitive interaction with the children during play helps to engender a positive attitude to learning. Children concentrate well as they sit together and look at pictures in a book. The childminder helps to develop language further through reading stories, singing together and asking questions. Young children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoy making marks on an aqua-draw mat and develop a sense of themselves This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through talking about parts of their body as they draw. However, currently children have limited opportunities to use electronic toys for example to fully develop their understanding and awareness of technology.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses everyday routines as a way of promoting children’s independence and social skills. She sets clear boundaries and acts as a positive role model to enable children to behave well and learn right from wrong. Concepts of shape, number and size are introduced through every day play and young children confidently identify colours as part of games, allowing them to learn in a less structured and relaxed way. Singing popular rhymes, such as ten green bottles, helps to reinforce the learning of number sequences. Children’s welfare is promoted through the provision of healthy diets and good hygiene practices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively organises resources and activities to meet their needs. Overall, planning is flexible to ensure children’s changing interests remain at the heart of the process. The system for observing children’s play and making assessments of their progress are in the early stages of development. Currently, the childminder does not make effective use of the EYFS documents to help track children’s progress. For example, observations made are not evaluative and are not linked to the stepping stones to enable the childminder to clearly identify the next steps in children’s progress towards the early learning goals. 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? 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: 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 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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