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 224585 Inspection date 07/04/2009 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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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 1996 and lives in Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor of the property and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and access is via one step into the home. 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 four 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 eight children some of whom attend part-time and three of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a positive and caring environment for all children and ensures that on the whole, their individual needs are met appropriately. Each child's learning and development is promoted adequately, although, the methods for observing and assessing children's progress are basic. External support helps the childminder to evaluate what the setting offers and as a result, the childminder demonstrates a sound capacity to improve further with the majority of welfare requirements met. The childminder develops positive partnerships with parents through having good procedures for exchanging information on children's individual needs. However, the childminder lacks knowledge of how to support children in different situations.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation and assessment process further through matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals, identifying individual learning priorities and involving parents in the process  use training made available by the local authority and other sources; this relates to developing knowledge of the EYFS; supporting children with English as an additional language and how to develop partnerships with other settings  develop children's progress further in health and bodily awareness through supporting their independence in toileting and feeding routines and helping them to develop healthy practices with regard to hygiene.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 05/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Following the last inspection the childminder has fully developed her knowledge of safeguarding issues through training. She now has a good understanding of the correct procedures to follow for reporting any concerns and demonstrates a secure knowledge of signs and symptoms that may alert to child abuse. All persons living the house have undergone required suitability checks. This helps to ensure that every child's welfare is safeguarded. Risk assessments are completed to ensure the premises are safe and secure and many safety precautions are taken such as a safety gate on the lounge to prevent children entering the kitchen. However, full risk assessments for each type of outing are not completed, although, the childminder does make visual checks of all areas to ensure children's safety. The home is organised appropriately and offers a welcoming environment for all children with good space for them to move around freely. There is an adequate

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provision

range of resources available which are easily accessible in the corner of the room and enable all children to make choices.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure new children settle quickly. Their individual needs are fully discussed with parents at initial visits and each child attends for short periods before they attend for a full day. As a result, the childminder has a secure understanding of all children. The detailed policies are fully discussed and daily discussion and a diary keeps parents informed of their child's well-being and daily progress. However, as the observation and assessment process is not sufficiently developed as yet the parents are not involved with planning the next steps in their child's learning. The children currently attending do not attend any other settings. However, the childminder has a limited understanding of how to build relationships with them in the future to ensure continuity of care and learning for every child.

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provision

The methods used for self-evaluation are reasonable. The childminder has regular support from the early years team to ensure that the requirements of the EYFS are met and that improvement is made. Consequently, all actions set at the last inspection are met. For instance, the childminder has increased the resources available to raise children's awareness of diversity. Documentation is organised well and records for medication, accidents and attendance meet requirements. Some training is attended; however, this is not extensive enough to ensure that the childminder's knowledge of the learning and development areas and how to support children with English as an additional language is fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's understanding of safety well. For instance, older children are told to be careful when they are using the scissors and not to leave them where younger children can reach. Good supervision ensures that children are made aware that they should not push each other and routines for walking down the stairs are organised well to ensure their safety at all times. Generally, children's health is supported appropriately. Meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious and the childminder works closely with parents as part of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the weaning process. However, children do not always wash their hands before they eat to develop their awareness of keeping healthy and to prevent the spread of infection. Children play outside regularly and have daily opportunities to be outside in the fresh air when walking to and from school. There are bikes, scooters

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and a bouncy castle for children to practise their physical skills which also helps them to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a basic system to record observations of children's progress with photographs and a description of what children are doing. However, the observations are not assessed in relation to the early learning goals and the next steps in individual learning are not identified to ensure each child achieves their full potential. All children are confident to make choices, getting the musical instruments out and they enjoy making sounds as they press the keys on the piano. Their language skills are developed well as they sit and share a story with the childminder, pointing to the pictures and repeating the words. However, the lack of suitable chairs for lunch time means that some children cannot fully develop their independence skills and sit together as a group and there is no equipment to support potty training.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's understanding of number through routines, encouraging them to count the stairs as they come down from the toilet. Creative skills are promoted through a suitable range of experiences such as painting, drawing and gluing and children happily play with the dressing-up clothes to develop their imaginative play. They are confident to explore the toys, experimenting as they press the buttons on the electronic caterpillar book to listen to the sounds. The childminder encourages children to learn and respect diversity through access to a varied range of resources. Behaviour is managed well and the childminder constantly encourages the sharing of toys. For instance, she asks children to give the toy back rather than letting them keep what they have taken off someone else. This helps them to develop a clear understanding of right and wrong and helps them to develop skills for the future. The childminder ensures

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

that all children are comforted when needed, particularly when they are not well, settling them down for a sleep. Interaction with all children is positive and praise is used to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Consequently, this helps all children to learn how to make a positive contribution to society. 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? 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? 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: 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 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

 provide an action plan to show how a qualification at a minimum of Level 2 in an area of work relevant to childcare or training in the core skills as set out in the document 'Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce' will be achieved (Qualifications and training). 05/05/2009 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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