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

p.1

Unique reference number 504782 Inspection date 03/02/2009 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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 1996 and works with her mother who is an assistant. She lives with her husband, two adult children and 15 year old child, in a residential area of Coventry in the West Midlands. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The premises are easily accessible via the entrance at the rear of the house. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local outings and regularly attend local childminding and carer and toddler groups.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a level 3 early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy, settled and having fun, in a friendly, well-organised and secure environment. The childminder is familiar with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has a good knowledge about the children in her care. Excellent relationships are established with parents and effective links are developed with other agencies involved in supporting children's individual needs. Practice is fully inclusive where all children are valued and treated with equal concern. The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation, all required documentation is in place and well maintained, although minor amendments are required to ensure that the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements are fully met.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 obtain written permission from all parents to seek any necessary emergency treatment or advice.

p.3

provision

The childminder is well organised and reviews documentation and procedures regularly to ensure they reflect current practice. A detailed self-evaluation document has recently been introduced and this is in the process of being used as a working document to identify areas for improvement. All recommendations from the previous inspection have been fully met and implemented. Safety is given a high priority to ensure that children have an appropriate learning environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Risk assessments are conducted on the premises and outings, with the childminder adding to these as new activities take place.

p.3

provision

Excellent relationships are established between the childminder, parents and other professionals involved in each child's care. Extremely effective systems are in place for discussing and recording each child's starting points and ongoing progress and development. All records are readily available to parents, alongside daily diaries, photographs and examples of creative work. This means that parents are fully involved in their child's care and learning, and that all individual needs are acknowledged and met. Links with other providers are extremely beneficial to the children, for example, the childminder supports children with homework and projects from school and has developed a 'link book' to enable teachers and nursery staff to comment on children's care and learning.

p.4

provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder clearly understands her responsibility to protect them from harm, for example, ensuring that those in her household have been suitability vetted. She has attended training and is confident in her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. This information is shared with all parents to ensure that they are clear of her role.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of each child she cares for. They receive individual attention and cuddles are freely given to help children separate from their parents. Planning is flexible and provides children with appropriate challenge and ensures that they have fun as they learn. The childminder responds to the children's current interests and includes them in decision making to maximise their enthusiasm. For example, children thoroughly enjoy role play, in particular playing 'shops'. They decide whether or not to be a 'supermarket' or 'ice-cream sellers'. She has begun to regularly observe children in their play and these observations are added to children’s individual assessments to help build on what children know and identify the next steps in their learning.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a wide range of good quality equipment available to the children. They have free access to well-organised toys and books which are clearly labelled and within their reach. Older children are learning to read the labels on the boxes and can request specific activities. Younger children are provided with a selection of toys which are age and stage appropriate. They are rotated to keep them interested and suitability challenged. The childminder joins in with children's spontaneous play, encouraging them to persevere and skilfully moving them on to keep them well occupied. The childminder 'chats' all the time to children, which effectively develops their speaking and listening skills. Babies join in with action songs with support and they are encouraged to explore their surroundings as resources are put within their reach.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are offered regular opportunities to socialise, learn about others and the wider world. They develop relationships with other adults and different children as they attend play and stay sessions and meet up with other childminders. Children are learning about nature and wildlife because they talk about the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 seasons and describe in detail what they feed birds and squirrels with when they come into the garden. Trips to places of interest extend the children's knowledge of the local community. For example, they enjoy bus journeys to museums, the fire station and experience picnicking at the farm. The childminder has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The very good levels of support ensure that all children are included and receive a great deal of individual attention so that their

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

needs are effectively met. The childminder is positive, consistent, firm and kind when managing the children's behaviour and clear boundaries are in place, which means they respond to her well and their behaviour is generally good.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are out in the fresh air daily, using the garden and going for walks. The childminder provides all meals, drinks and snacks. She gathers good information about children’s dietary needs to ensure that they can eat safely. Food is home made from good quality ingredients with lots of fruit and vegetables. Therefore, children are healthy and well nourished. The childminder ensures she can respond appropriately if a child becomes ill or has an accident and she has completed a relevant first aid course. Written consent from most parents has been obtained for seeking emergency treatment or advice, however, when contracts were recently changed, this information has been overlooked for some children. The good levels of hygiene maintained in the childminder's home and the clear procedures that are in place ensure that the children develop personal hygiene routines. For example, children learn to wash their hands before eating, selecting their own towel which is

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

colour coded. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. They have clear safety rules which they are familiar with, such as fastening car restraints before setting off on a journey and practising the emergency escape plan. 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 since the last inspection.

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