Childminder in Shropshire

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 EY364285 Inspection date 07/01/2009 Inspector Juliette Jennings

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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 2007. She provides a childminding service with two other registered childminders in their home which is a detached house in a suburb of Shrewsbury. She has two daughters aged three years and seven months. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the property is via a small step to the front and rear entrance. There is a dog as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local carer and toddler and childminding support groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, is qualified to Level 3 in early years and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for four children, or 10 children when working with another childminder or an assistant, and is currently minding 16 children on a full-time and part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works closely and consistently with her co-childminders to implement well-devised and thorough procedures which ensure that children's welfare and learning is supported well in a homely, loving and caring environment. Partnerships with parents and other agencies are strong and this enables the childminder to provide consistency of care as well as a continued awareness and recognition of children's individuality. All documentation is well-maintained and in good order. Detailed policies and written information provides parents with clear information about the safe, secure and interesting childminding service provided for their children. All children enjoy access to a broad range of interesting, age- appropriate and enjoyable experiences which help them to develop, explore and investigate. The childminder has highlighted some areas for improvement so that outcomes for children continue to be strong.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children’s individual needs in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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 on all types of outings and review the assessment before each type of outing. (Safeguarding and welfare) 31/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder works closely with her co-childminders to ensure that children receive warm, welcoming, good quality and secure care within a homely environment. Strong and effective systems are implemented on a daily basis so that children's individual needs and requirements are fully provided for. Clear and detailed written policies and procedures reflect the good practice and caring relationships evident in the childminding service. The childminder works very well alongside her co-childminders and contributes to the overall pleasant, loving and sympathetic ethos of the childminding environment.

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provision

There is a strong partnership with parents and carers and this enables children's individual needs to be cared for consistently. Daily diaries are completed for all children and notice boards are available which highlight what all children have been doing during the day. In addition, ongoing discussions about future activities and current issues mean that parents are well informed about what their children are doing whilst they attend. The childminder also works closely with other childminders, development officers and other agencies to ensure that children's individual needs and requirements are fully supported and addressed.

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provision

Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder has robust systems in place for their security and safety. Daily visual safety checks alongside completion of a thorough written risk assessment help to ensure that children are cared for in an environment where they can safely explore and investigate. There were no safety issues highlighted at the time of the inspection. Security in and around the home is good so that children are secure in the childminder's care. Outings are frequently accessed by children, under the good supervision of the childminder, however, there are currently no written risk assessments completed for outings. A safeguarding procedure is available in writing and the childminder ensures that she is up-to-date with current local safeguarding procedures so that she can ensure that any concerns about the children in her care can be addressed promptly.

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provision

The childminder endeavours to access as much training as she can to help her to continually improve on and reflect upon her provision for children. She has worked hard on evaluating her service and has highlighted clear and achievable aims for the future, so that she can continue to develop her service for children. In particular, the childminder is looking at developing a formal system for completing ongoing assessments and using these to help plan for future progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet of homemade meals and snacks which they thoroughly enjoy. For example, a snack of orange and kiwi fruit is enjoyed, and younger children have this opportunity to try new tastes, with encouragement from the childminder. Children have free access to drinks of water or juice throughout the day because they are provided with individual, age- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate cups and are prompted to take a drink frequently. Records and documentation are in place to ensure children's health needs are met, in line with parents' wishes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a well-organised, homely and comfortable space where they can securely access enjoyable and fun activities which help them to learn and develop. Toys and resources are available at low-level so that children can reach them as they wish. The childminder ensures that children's toys are appropriate to their age and can extend their learning, for example, cooking activities are offered on a one to one basis for older children whilst younger children are resting. Younger children are provided with a range of toys, for example, musical instruments and discovery toys, and these are placed in front of them so that they can explore in their own time, with good encouragement from the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to become independent learners, to explore and investigate and develop their self-esteem and confidence. There are a good variety of opportunities available for child-initiated play and the setting supports learning through play as a valuable and integral part of the service provided. These opportunities are provided alongside a range of adult-led activities which sensitively support ongoing individual development. The childminder ensures a broad range of activities are available to promote equality of opportunity and is currently updating her knowledge of festivals, so that she can plan activities which will support children to become aware of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported very well in a capable, calm, relaxed and caring manner within a respectful, homely and friendly environment. They enjoy looking at books, pushing small wheeled toys, exploring discovery toys and having cuddles with the childminder. They spend extended amounts of time mixing together ingredients for cakes and icing these cakes when they have been baked in the oven. Older children take care whilst helping younger children to feed at lunchtime. The childminder provides a broad range of activities and resources which interest the children, whilst helping with their development and progress towards the early learning goals. However, the systems for providing planned activities for children using individual assessments has scope for further development to fully reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage and this has been highlighted by the childminder as an area she wishes to improve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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 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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