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

p.1

Unique reference number 210090 Inspection date 15/12/2008 Inspector Maxine Williams

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her family in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the home is via a level driveway.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children over five years old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary Childcare Registers.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of a local childminding group, a childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are treated as individuals and the childminder works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that their specific needs are met. The home is organised effectively to provide a comfortable and stimulating environment for all children attending. The childminder assesses her own practice on an on-going basis and undertakes additional training in order to improve her knowledge of child development and the outcomes for children attending. She has a secure understanding of her role within the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets all of the welfare requirements to a high standard. All children benefit from the exciting range of activities and play opportunities available, which maximise on individual learning experiences and children’s enjoyment of their time in the setting.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 improve ongoing observational assessments and ensure they are used to inform planning for each child’s continuing development through play-based activities.

p.3

provision

Children’s welfare is promoted well within the home. The childminder has attended training in child protection and has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s procedures. This helps to protect children from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 harm and neglect. Suitable safety equipment is fitted around the home and the childminder carries out daily risk assessments to maintain children's safety. Fire evacuation procedures are in place, fire drills are carried out on a regular basis and a written record is made. Consequently, children are developing awareness of how to protect themselves in an emergency.

p.3

provision

Children’s welfare, care and safety are promoted effectively because the childminder is proactive in updating her knowledge of child development and early education; both through attending appropriate training courses and participating in activities through her local childminding group and network. A system to monitor and evaluate the provision and to ensure that improvements are made is in place. When any weaknesses are identified the childminder ensures that action is taken to remedy the flaw and enhance the quality of care she provides for children. The childminder has experience in providing care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and displays a positive attitude towards providing an inclusive environment for all children who attend the setting.

p.4

provision

Records, policies and procedures are well maintained and are used effectively to promote positive outcomes for children. Parents provide the childminder with a range of information when children start to attend the childminding setting. A daily journal is used to record information on each child's day and this is actively shared with parents. In addition, each child has a folder in place to detail their educational progress, along with photographs featuring their participation in activities; these folders are readily available to parents. This ensures that parents are aware of how their children are progressing and enables them to support children’s learning at home. The childminder has also started to develop links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, in order to identify individual learning and development targets and ensure children’s further progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Garden games, trips to playgroups and regular visits to local playgrounds and attractions help to progress children’s physical abilities. The childminder has a sound knowledge of healthy eating and good nutrition guidelines, which contributes significantly to children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle. She takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s preferences to provide healthy meals that appeal to the children and meet their nutritional needs. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Children learn to keep themselves safe through conversations and daily routines, during which the childminder actively promotes their understanding of how to protect themselves from danger. For example, teaching

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

children about road safety during the school run.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are involved and enthusiastic and they enjoy taking part in the available activities. They are secure with the childminder and have good levels of self- esteem. They are confident in initiating their own play and learning, and are consistently well occupied by the interesting activities. Space and resources are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well organised to enable children to participate enthusiastically in a wide range of stimulating activities that meet their play and developmental needs. Two-year-olds are absorbed as they use the iron to carefully iron all of the dolls’ blankets and they concentrate well as they carefully fold them up. The childminder extends children’s learning well, naming the instruments and demonstrating how to use them, then enabling children to independently make music, while they dance to the melodies they produce. Children are encouraged to develop their

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of numbers and shapes as they read Christmas stories with the childminder. She explains how the jigsaw figures in the book need to be turned to fit in to the holes and that they don’t have to be pushed very hard. She asks how many spaces there are for the figures, two-year-olds are able to correctly say there are six spaces.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel highly valued because the childminder sees them as individuals and adapts her routines to meet their needs effectively. She has started to introduce some written planning to organise the learning and development opportunities she provides; along with observational assessments of children’s progress. However, planning is minimal in detail and assessments are not completed regularly for all children attending. The childminder has identified that this is an area for improvement and is committed to ensuring that her documentation reflects the good service she delivers for the children in her care. Children are able to independently access an extensive range of toys, equipment and activities to help them make good progress in all areas. They are confident in their communication and language skills; explaining that their dad drives a fire engine while playing with the toy fire engine and that the hay is for the cows, while piling bales of hay onto

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

the toy tractor. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and there is a very strong emphasis on focusing on good behaviour. Children interact well with each other, responding appropriately to the childminder’s gentle reminders to share and wait their turn. Their self-confidence and sense of worth is developed well with the use of encouragement and praise during their play. Children benefit greatly from the warm, affectionate and positive interaction with the childminder, who is dedicated to ensuring their enjoyment and continuous progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.8

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.

p.8