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 EY377682 Inspection date 27/01/2009 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 husband and three children aged 10, eight and four, in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and the home can be easily accessed. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is able to collect and take children to local schools and pre-schools. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children when working alone and six with an assistant. There are currently 6 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. This provision is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends a local toddler and carer group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare is effectively promoted by the childminder. Children are well cared for, happy and enjoy their time with the childminder, taking part in an interesting and varied range of activities that support their learning and development needs very well. The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that children's individual needs are met and that her practice is fully inclusive. She is committed to maintaining good quality service for the children, regularly consulting with parents for their thoughts and opinions, and evaluating her practice to enable her to take positive steps to continue to improve the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the safeguarding policy to clearly detail the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the provider or a member of her family  improve the children's records in order to clearly show who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete a training course (also applies to the compulsory part of the childcare register). 27/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The children benefit from the childminder's many years of experience of working with children in pre-school settings and reception classes. She is a qualified Nursery Nurse and in recent months has attended several short courses and workshops that have helped her to refresh her skills and knowledge and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in an effective way. However, it is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage that childminders complete a training course specific to childminding and approved by the local authority within six months of being registered. The childminder has completed the coursework but due to time restraints has been unable to complete the exam, therefore the overall leadership and management of the early years provision is judged satisfactory. Now that the childminder has been minding for several months she has completed a paper copy of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has sought parents opinions to

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provision

enable her to make minor improvements to her practice.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good and valued by the childminder. They are kept informed about their child's day through informal discussions at the end of each day and detailed daily diaries which include photographs of the children having fun. Parents are provided with good quality written information about the setting and further information and relevant certificates are displayed on the parents' notice board. As part of the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has introduced learning journeys for each child. Parents have had the opportunity to see these and the childminder now hopes to involve parents more closely so that events and achievements at home can be part of the record.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder ensures that her home and the toys and equipment that the children use are safe, well maintained and child- friendly. Robust risk assessments are carried out regularly and the childminder checks daily to ensure that the areas used by the children remain safe and clean, allowing children to play safely and stay healthy. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, has attended training in this area and has a safeguarding policy in line with local guidance, although the procedure to be followed if an allegation is made against the childminder or a member of her family is unclear. Improvements to this part of the policy will ensure that children are fully safeguarded at all times.

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provision

The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures which reflect the good care provided. Copies of these are made available to parents so they have a clear understanding of the expectations of themselves, their children and the minder. The childminder is well organised and maintains written documentation to a high standard. Information from the parents with regards to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility is obtained verbally and any issues recorded. The childminder now plans to record this information more clearly for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development. They enjoy a well balanced and exciting selection of activities both in and out of the home. The childminder is skilled at observing children's play, noting activities that they enjoy and planning further opportunities for children to develop their interest and skills. For example, the childminder noticed that younger children enjoyed playing in spilt food on their highchair trays. She developed this interest by providing paint and cornflour for the children to explore the texture and begin to develop early mark making skills as they make patterns with their fingers. Before starting at the setting the childminder discusses with parents the stages of development that their children have reached and then by observing their play is able to assess the development of children's skills, identifying areas of strength

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and those that require more support. She then plans activities to support children in achieving the next step, consolidating their learning and encouraging them to become independent, inquisitive and enthusiastic learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home is well laid out and children are able to move between the playroom, kitchen and lounge diner freely. This space is particularly beneficial for children taking important steps in their physical development such as learning to crawl and walk. Children enjoy a large selection of good quality toys and equipment and they are encouraged to make their own choices about what they would like to play with from low-level storage. Activities are changed regularly to ensure that children remain interested and stimulated in their play and there is a good mix between adult-led activities and time for children to engage in free play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, literacy, numeracy and problem solving. The childminder talks to them continuously, encouraging them to respond with sounds and babbles and to repeat first words. They enjoy singing songs and rhymes many of which include the sequencing of numbers and counting. Children enjoy looking at books and sharing stories with the childminder. They are encouraged to be inquisitive, working out how electronic toys work and exploring a range of natural materials such as pasta, metal objects and a large bag of textured materials. Children learn about nature and the world around them as they play outside in the garden and go for walks in the local area. They have opportunities to learn to respect differences and other cultures through good quality play equipment and the positive attitude of the childminder when discussing diversity and cultural issues. Children are able to develop their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

imaginations and creativity through role-play, small world toys, music, arts and crafts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept healthy as there are robust procedures in place for nappy changing and encouraging children to develop good hygiene habits at mealtimes and when using the toilet. The childminder encourages healthy eating and provides daily opportunities for the children to enjoy regular exercise and fresh air. Children are safe as they are well supervised at all times and are checked regularly when sleeping. Good strategies for supporting positive behaviour are in place and children have opportunities to learn to share and take turns and are given praise and encouragement when they do so. The regular change of activities, introduction This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of new toys and good quantities of equipment such as construction toys and plastic balls ensures that children do not become bored or fractious and whilst sharing is encouraged there is plenty of equipment to go round. Inappropriate behaviour in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

young children is dealt with through gentle explanations and regular reminders of appropriate behaviour. The childminder recognises that children need to move through certain stages in developing their social skills and discusses these with parents to ensure that children have consistency both at home and in the setting. This enables children to learn right from wrong and develop a sense of responsibility and awareness of the possible consequences of their actions. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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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

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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 compulsory 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. 27/02/2009 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 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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