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 EY371805 Inspection date 10/12/2008 Inspector Christine Holmes

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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 partner and three children aged 10, 12 and two years in Hockley, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding; there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and a step leading into the property.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently has two children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has systems in place to support 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

In general, children's welfare and learning are supported appropriately. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where children have access to a broad range of interesting, age-appropriate and enjoyable experiences which help them to develop and learn. She has begun to self-evaluate her service but this is not yet effective in identifying the required improvements needed. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents to provide consistent support for individual children.

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further?

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

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further?

 draw on the full range of quality improvement tools available, for example, Letters and Sounds and Inclusion Development Programme (Primary National Strategies)  include the garden in the risk assessment  develop self-evaluation systems to assess the setting against the robust and challenging criteria of the EYFS.

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further?

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

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further?

 match observations of children's achievements to the expectations of the early years goals to identify learning priorities in order to plan relevant learning experiences for each child (Assessment arrangements) 12/01/2009  develop further knowledge and understanding of the matters, skills and processes which are required to be taught to young children, particularly in relation to supporting children's communication and language ( Educational programme). 12/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder organises her time well to ensure children have daily opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and visit a number of organised play sessions which gives them a varied range of experiences. She provides a welcoming stimulating environment for children where they can initiate their own play and follow their own interest with a varied range of toys and resources. However, she is not always clear about the matters, skills and processes which are required to be taught to young children, particularly in relation to supporting children's communication and language. She has begun to make some observations of children's achievements and interests but she is not yet effectively matching these observations to the expectations of the early years goals or to identify learning priorities. This means that children's ability to learn and reach their full potential is some times impeded.

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provision

The childminder strives to improve her practice in order to improve outcomes for children. She attends training events and has become involved in the local childminder's network which has resulted in developing her understanding of how to meet children's needs. However, she is not yet using the range of quality improvement tools that are available to support providers in delivering the EYFS. She has begun to self-evaluate her service and is able to identify how she is able to support children. However, she does not yet assess the setting against the robust and challenging criteria of the EYFS. As a result, she does not fully recognise where improvement is needed.

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provision

The childminder builds sound relationships with parents and keeps them well informed about her setting, their child's well-being and what they have been doing. She is beginning to include parents in their children's learning by making their individual files available to them and by sharing information such as what colours children are learning. Children are protected from harm and abuse in this setting because the childminder is sufficiently knowledgeable about safeguarding guidelines and procedures. In general, she undertakes risk assessments effectively in order to keep children safe and secure, although she has not yet included the garden. Arrangements are in place and sufficient to support children's good health.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are included and able to take part in all activities. For example, booster seats are used at the dining room table to ensure all children are able to sit together and enjoy a sociable dinner time. Children learn about some of the dangers of the outdoors and how to keep themselves safe and daily routines help them to start to develop suitable personal hygiene skills. Daily fresh air and many opportunities for physical activity further contribute to children's good health. Written and verbal information is exchanged on a daily basis between the childminder and parents in relation to all care needs to support children's continuity of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled and play happily in the home environment. They are becoming This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sociable and beginning to understand the importance of developing positive social skills such as sharing and taking turns. As a result, the environment is harmonious which supports children's emotional well-being. Children are becoming active learners making choices and decisions as they initiate their own play. They become occupied for suitable periods of time in their chosen activity such as colouring and playing imaginatively with simple cause and effect toys and they take part in planned activities such as making salt dough figures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a varied range of activities outside of the home which provide opportunities for them to become more aware of their own local communities and to experience larger groups. For example, children feed the horses in the nearby field and watch boats and feed the ducks at the nearby canal. They attend local play sessions where they take part in a number of activities including large physical play equipment and arts and crafts. However, children do not always benefit from all the potential learning opportunities of these activities because the childminder is not always clear about how to support them. As a result, children are not making as much progress as they could in develop skill for the future particularly in communication language and numeracy. 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: 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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