Childminder in Warwickshire

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 EY379078 Inspection date 21/01/2009 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 in a village location on the outskirts of Rugby with her husband and children aged nine and 12 years. The ground floor, except for the office, and two first floor bedrooms are used for childminding. The bathroom is on the first floor. The back garden is secure, only a paved area adjacent to the conservatory is included in registered space. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working alone, she may care for six children, of whom three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, she may care for eight children and five may be in the early years group. There are currently 10 children aged under eight on roll and of these, five are aged under five. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She attends parent and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years qualification and she is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides very effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She promotes children's welfare and care needs successfully and meets their individual developmental needs well. The childminder ensures that all children are valued and included. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and her commitment to continuous improvement is excellent.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the written complaints information provided for parents  extend the risk assessment record to include measures taken to ensure the inaccessibility of the pond.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment that is safe and secure. She is fully aware of her responsibilities, with regard to supervision and ensures that all resources are appropriate to children's individual ages and stages of development. The childminder identifies areas for improvement, as she completes the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She intends to increase the space available for children and continue to update her skills. The childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment to improvement is outstanding. She already holds a Nursery Nursing Examination Board (NNEB) qualification, but because she completed her training in 1983, she is now working towards another Level three qualification in order to revise and renew her skills. She has attended a range of training courses since her registration in July 2008, including courses on first aid, behaviour, equal

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provision

opportunities and child development. Food hygiene and safeguarding training is booked for January 2009. The childminder has used EYFS documents to ensure that she is aware of all requirements and has extended her knowledge by accessing information on the Ofsted website.

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provision

Information requested from parents that links to the care of each child is thorough and the childminder makes sure that individual needs are met well. Written information provided for parents is good. Initially, they are shown a portfolio containing thorough information on policies and procedures, police clearance forms and insurance information. Parents are provided with complaints information, but detail on the required 28 day response period for written complaints is not included in the written procedure. The childminder is proactive in seeking parents views, as she provides a questionnaire twice each year. She asks parents to settle their child in gradually, to ensure that the child feels emotionally secure. Children's achievements are shared with parents and the childminder obtains information from them on what their child knows and can do. The childminder has developed positive links with other professionals involved in the care of the children.

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provision

Children's welfare is addressed well, as required measures are in place to ensure their health and safety. The childminder assesses safety each day and a written risk assessment identifies how potential hazards have been identified and addressed, inside the home and on outings. However, the record does not fully identify measures in place to ensure that children cannot access the pond in the garden, and potentially this has an impact on their safety. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility, with regard to protecting children from harm and a copy of the Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board Procedure is shown to parents. All required records are kept up-to-date and in good order.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress and the childminder is clear of her responsibilities, with regard to ensuring that all children are challenged effectively. She demonstrates a commitment to extending her knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements in order to ensure that all children are able to reach their full potential and make progress across all areas of learning. The range of resources and activities meet their needs well. Activities are planned each week and the childminder makes sure that all areas of learning are included. She records observations and uses these and photographic evidence to track children's progress and plan for individuals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Topics are planned and learning objectives are identified. Children benefit from learning and play opportunities through a variety of outings and visits. For example, they develop social skills at parent and toddler groups, develop skills and confidence when using large equipment at the park and at a sports centre and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they go to the local library and post office. Children learn to use money at the shops as they help the childminder to choose and buy groceries, particularly ingredients for baking. Cooking and baking is a favourite activity. Children count and problem solve, as they decide on how many cake cases they need for the number of cakes they want to make. They weigh and measure, develop manipulative skills as they use tools, learn about health and hygiene and explore change as they mix the ingredients and see the change after cooking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are sociable and confident and express themselves well. They play happily and their independence is encouraged, as they are able to select resources from very well organised storage. Children play cooperatively and behave well. They are learning to share and take turns. Children enjoy daily access to books, puzzles and construction toys. They use their imagination as they play with a very good variety of 'Small World' toys. The childminder promotes language development as she asks the children open-ended questions. She encourages the children to express their preferences and opinions. Books are always available and children confidently ask for favourite stories to be read. The childminder encourages children to recognise their name and learn the initial letter sound. Children make marks with a range of writing materials and paint, and they label their own pictures and write their own names. Children count and name shapes and colours as they play. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have access to books and toys that reflect diversity. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and all children cared for learn about their differences and similarities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes positive steps to safeguard children and promote their welfare because she has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. Children play in a safe and welcoming environment and they are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, why they must hold hands when out walking, looking and listening before and whilst crossing the road and the reason why the fire drill is practised. 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? 3 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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