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 EY305198 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Christine Holmes

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years in a residential area in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is via a number of steep steps.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, cat and four guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has obtained a Level 4 in childminding practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled, happy and making sound progress in their learning and development because they are cared for within a welcoming inclusive environment. The childminder generally supports children's individual needs well and she has a clear understanding of good practice. However, although she has well targeted plans in place she is not yet successfully implementing all of the EYFS principles or requirements effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 make links with other settings that children attend to promote continuity and cohesion in children's learning  make a clear, achievable action plan to implement the full range of identified improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment of the premises identifies all hazards and risks to children in and outdoors and the steps taken to minimise them (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) 22/01/2009  match observations of children’s achievements to the expectations of the early learning goals in order to identify their learning priorities and plan relevant 22/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning experiences for each child (Assessment arrangements).

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provision

The childminder is a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner who interacts very positively with children at all times to support their learning and welfare. She has obtained a Level 4 in childcare practice and as a result is very reflective of her practice. She has begun to monitor and use self-evaluation which has resulted in well targeted plans for improvement. However, most of these plans have not yet been implemented into practice.

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provision

Comprehensive policies, procedures and records are currently being updated, available to parents and mostly implemented well to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted. For example, children are protected from harm and abuse because the childminder has is knowledgeable about safeguarding guidelines and procedures. Effective arrangements are in place to ensure children's needs are met in the event of illness or injury. The childminder has focused effectively on inclusion and equality of opportunity when organising space and resources and as a result the environment is welcoming and stimulating for children and parents. However, the current risk assessment of the premises is not fully effective in identifying and minimises all potential hazards.

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provision

The childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and spends time exchanging information and offering advice and support and she has plans in place to improve the exchange of information relating to children's learning. However, she has no plans in place to make links with the setting that children in her care also attend to ensure continuity and cohesion in children's learning. The childminder knows the children's capabilities well but she is not yet using this information effectively to match children’s achievements to the expectations of the early learning goals in order to identify their learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child in order for them to achieve as much as they can.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making sound progress in their development because the childminder encourages them to take an active part on all that is going on around them. Children move freely and confidently between rooms independently selecting resources to initiate their own play and follow their own interest. They are provided with explanations about what is happening and what the childminder is doing, for example, children are included in greeting visitors and prompted to introduce themselves. They are encouraged to take turns and share and to become aware and considerate of the needs of others and animals. They do lots of things for themselves including collecting their personal items for sleep and nappy change times, as a result, children's independence, social and communication skills are progressing well. Children are making sound progress in developing skills for 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

the future. They enjoy looking at books, solving simple problems with shape and they are developing their understanding of technology through the use of small world toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is suitably supported. Arrangements are in place to ensure appropriate care is given to children in the event of injury or illness. The childminder is mindful of promoting healthy choices. She provides a flexible service to parents which enables them to bring their own food from home if they wish which the childminder stores and prepares in an appropriate manner. Children are helped to learn about their own and others safety when playing indoors.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy continuity of care regarding sleep, eating and some areas of development because the childminder is always on hand to exchange information and offer advise and support to their families. The childminder recognises how important it is to involve parents in their child's learning and has identified how she can improve this area, although she has not yet fully implemented this. However, children who attend other settings do not benefit from continuity and cohesion in their learning. Children's achievements and interest are acknowledged and valued by the childminder. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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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 (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 22/01/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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 (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 22/01/2009 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 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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