Childminder in Coventry

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 504784 Inspection date 28/04/2009 Inspector Sally Wride

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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 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 1993. She lives with her husband, her adult child and two foster children, aged eight and 14-years-old, in a residential area in Coventry, West Midlands. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and three bedrooms of the childminder's home are used for childminding and overnight care. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local outings to nearby parks and playgrounds and regularly attend local carer and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), two of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years old. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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. Access to the childminder's home is via a step. The childminder holds an early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Coventry Childminding Association. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's inclusive care environment and enjoy a wide range of activities and play that cater for all areas of learning and development. With the exception of minor weaknesses, children's welfare, learning and development are promoted with success. Formal systems of self-evaluation are currently developing. However, the childminder does have a clear understanding of her strengths and the vast majority of areas requiring further development. Strong and supportive relationships between the childminder, children's parents and carers and other providers delivering the EYFS effectively promote children's well-being.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend systems of planning, observation and assessment to further extend children's learning and development  improve the organisation of the setting to include effective procedures to evaluate the provision and identify areas for improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  obtain written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 12/05/2009

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provision

Although systems of self-evaluation are currently in their infancy, the childminder is able to identify many of her strengths and areas requiring further development. However, one welfare requirement is not met in full. Although the childminder has developed a health and accident policy, which includes seeking medical attention following discussion with parents and carers, she has not ensured that full written parental consent is secured to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has ensured that the recommendation raised at the last inspection has been met in full and outcomes for children have improved as a result. She has completed many self-directed improvements such as extending her own knowledge through training. This demonstrates her strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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provision

The childminder is well qualified and demonstrates a strong commitment to extending her knowledge and skills through regular access to training. She has completed two relevant Level 3 qualifications and a wide range of short courses to support her childminding practice and the children in her care. This ensures that she remains fully informed of changes within the early years field. All written policies and procedures work to safeguard children and are reflective of current good practice and professional advice.

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provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has assessed all perceived risks and has taken action to ensure hazards to children are minimised. Children's welfare is safeguarded extremely well through the childminder's thorough knowledge and understanding of the known indicators of child abuse and the action that she should take in the event of a concern about a child in her care. Children benefit from the strong relationships that the childminder enjoys with their parents and carers. She works in partnership with them and other providers delivering the EYFS to ensure that children are supported in line with their individual welfare, learning and development needs. The childminder is aware of the advice, support and guidance that can be accessed to support her in the care of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and English as an additional language.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has implemented effective systems of planning and observation for each individual child within her care. This recognises their uniqueness as learners and ensures that activities are planned to meet their individual learning and development needs. The childminder successfully plans for each of the six areas of learning, but has not yet extended her planning to demonstrate which stepping stones children are working towards. Regular written and photographic This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations are made and are openly shared with parents and carers to encourage their involvement in their children's learning and development. The childminder has begun to formally assess the observations that she makes but has yet to use this information to feed back into her formal plans.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and enjoy spending time with their peers. They have good opportunities to socialise with wider groups of children through regular attendances at nearby toddler groups. Their developing language skills are encouraged as the childminder introduces them to new vocabulary and encourages conversation. They openly talk to her and their peers and chat confidently as they play. Their understanding of letters and their sounds is developed as they explore the letters that make up their names. They enjoy looking through books and reading stories and have free access to drawing and writing resources. This allows them to make marks and write for their own purpose. They see text displayed in their learning environment which helps to develop their understanding that print carries meaning. Children relish their time outdoors and enjoy hunting out garden insects such as worms. These they explore

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with the childminder and watch them move around in the soil. The childminder helps children to develop a sense of care for other living things as she reminds the children to be careful and not hurt them. They compare the sizes of two worms, using mathematical language such as 'big' and 'little'. They count during everyday routines and experiment with shapes as they slot a range of different objects into shape sorter toys. The childminder encourages children to name the colours and shapes that they are using and gives them hints and tips as to how they can fit their shape into the correct hole.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children use their manipulative skills as they use glue sticks to paste creative collage pictures. These they enjoy taking home to share with their parents and carers. They experiment with the different sounds that they can make with a range of musical instruments and use their imaginations well as they take on different roles, for example, fire fighters and police officers. Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and make excellent use of the childminder's garden for their play and games. They regularly visit the local park and playground to play on age- appropriate apparatus which develops and extends their physical control well. They are well nourished and hydrated during their time with the childminder and are encouraged to develop an understanding of good hygiene practices as they wash their hands at appropriate times and cover their mouths as they cough and sneeze. Children develop an understanding of safe practices as they follow road safety

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

procedures when out for a walk and crossing the road. They follow agreed house rules to ensure their everyday safety, for example, walking indoors. Children behave very well and enjoy warm praise and encouragement which positively fosters their self-esteem. They develop an understanding of the wider world through access to a good range of resources that promote positive images of diversity. Activities are planned to develop their appreciation of other cultures throughout the course of the year. 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: 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

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