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

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Unique reference number EY262713 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and six years in the village of Wombourne in South Staffordshire. Parks, shops and local schools are within walking distance. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the premises with the exception of the front lounge. The areas used include a dedicated playroom, the rear dining room and toilet facilities. The property is accessed by a step up to the front door from a flat drive and the fully enclosed rear garden is laid out to patio adjacent to the house with gated steps down to a grassed area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll in this age group. The childminder also offers care for children aged from five to over 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a BTEC early years qualification and is a member of the Childminding Network with the Local Authority. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected by the childminder who is fully committed to offering exciting and stimulating experiences for all children in her care. The partnership with parents and the approach to inclusive practice are key strengths in the provision. This contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are well-met as they make very good progress in their learning and development. Ongoing self evaluation of the provision ensures that the childminder is able to recognise strengths in the practice and prioritise areas for future development, resulting in a service that is responsive to the needs of the children and families accessing it.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the strategies for fostering partnership working with other providers involved in the children's care, learning and development  review the child protection procedures to inform parents about the process to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against the childminder or others in the household. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is very organised and offers a professional but home-centred service to children and families. This enables children to feel very settled and secure in her care. Parents and carers express strong confidence in the arrangements as children's individual needs are at the centre of the experiences planned and delivered. The childminder demonstrates a very strong commitment and enthusiasm to training to help maintain continuous improvement and keep up- to-date with child care issues and changes to legislation. The provision is carefully evaluated by the childminder to assess all areas of practice in a realistic way, identifying key strengths and prioritising areas for further improvement. For example, the childminder has developed very strong partnerships working with parents to involve them in every aspect of their child's care and development and is currently working to improve partnerships with other providers involved in

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provision

Children benefit very positively from the approach shown by the childminder in the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Planning and assessments systems have been tried, tested and adapted by the childminder through her reflective practice and show an effective balance of adult-led activity contrasting with child-initiated learning through play. Assessment of each child's achievements and progress is recorded in their attractive and parent-friendly learning journeys providing a log of ongoing development using annotated photographs linking with the 'Every Child Matters' outcomes for children. This ensures parents and carers are made aware of the reasons behind the delivery of the various experiences in order to learn life skills for the future.

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provision

Effective safeguarding procedures are in place along with detailed contact information should the childminder have any concerns about a child in her care. This duty of care is explained to parents in the clear and detailed safeguarding children policy. Although the childminder knows the procedures should an allegation be made against herself or any one else in the household, this aspect is not shared with parents, hindering how they may be assured of such concerns being managed effectively. Children respond positively to the childminder as their needs for rest and play are anticipated, based upon knowledge of their individual characters and information supplied by parents and the knowledge the childminder has of their individual characters.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit very positively from the experiences and activities they participate in. The recent acquisition of some local frog spawn has sparked off a study of the life cycle of the frog with children referring to books to care for the tadpoles correctly. Younger children giggle with excitement as the tadpoles wriggle and squirm in the tank placed to enable them to see the activity easily and maintain interest. A toddler explores the properties of rice as various receptacles and tools are available to shove, move and sort the material in the small tray. The childminder alerts the child to the differing sounds and the vocabulary to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accompany this such as scattering, shaking, clattering. Such activities are planned to promote children's listening skills, communication and dexterity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities, as one toddler shows her feelings about the texture of cold wet paint on the soles of her feet when preparing to make footprints. Children's work and ideas are displayed around the setting, developing their self-esteem and confidence as they proudly share them with parents and visitors. Outings are planned to extend children's experiences particularly in their local area. They discover the crunchy leaves in the nearby park, build snowmen and snow angels and develop their confidence and skills in trying out the static play equipment with the childminder carefully supervising having carried out extensive risk assessments to minimise hazards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well-behaved and develop caring relationships as older children are praised by the childminder for their consideration of the needs of the younger children. The childminder is aware of the need for definite boundaries which makes them feel safe and teaches them about considering the needs of others as well as their own. They all develop their independence in self-care skills as they know the routines for personal hygiene and use individual towels to significantly reduce the risk of the spread of infection. They are aware of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle as they have daily opportunities for fresh air, walks and physical exercise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands the impact good planning and effective assessment has on children's progress. Daily diaries on the children's care needs are exchanged with parents and they are kept informed of achievements through the concise and focussed planning and assessments linked to promoting the next steps in their development. 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? 1 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? 1 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 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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