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 209565 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Lynne Milligan

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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 1993 and works with two assistants. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 11 years in Staffordshire. A large, purpose room has been built which is next door to the childminder's home. Access is via the main driveway, with a step up into the building. All areas are on one level, with rear French doors to the outdoor area. There is also side access to the enclosed rear garden from the side of the building.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for three children in the early years age group, and is registered on the Early Years Register. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for children in the later years age group. The childminder is currently working with two assistants. Whilst they are present she is registered to care for six children in the early years age group. She is currently caring for six children in the early years age group, all of whom attend full and part-time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drops off and collects children from local schools. She attends the local childminder network group, takes children to the local library, shops and the local park. The childminder is a member of the Stafford childminder's network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely well cared for whilst at the childminder’s setting. Her purpose built extension provides an exciting and inviting environment that fully includes all parents and children. Her evaluation of her setting is substantial and clearly demonstrates the childminder’s knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and her further commitment to providing the best care and education possible. Plans for the future are extremely well thought out. Comments from parents, children and assistants, inform her highly professional practice, ensuring she meets the individual needs of all who attend. Children excel in every area, with purposeful, well-resourced, planned activities, that adults thoroughly support.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the complaints policy further to identify the timescales in which to respond to a written complaint in relation to the different registers.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full written risk assessment for each type of outing and for the outdoor area of the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 30/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Documentation required to meet all the regulations under the EYFS is mostly in place. Risk assessments have been carried out on the new building and are thorough, taking all scenarios and hazards into account. However, these have yet to be done for the large outdoor area or for any outings such as, the walks to and from school. Children’s records are securely stored, with an excellent understanding from both the childminder and her assistant of the need to maintain confidentiality under current legislation. Furthermore, both are aware of those parents who have parental responsibility, ensuring only those with legal contact collect children in her care. Policies and procedures are comprehensive and are extremely well-presented. Some are displayed in the entrance to the building, with posters for parents that inform them of contact details for the regulator, alongside fire drill procedures that ensure the safety of any visitors. Complaints policies are

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provision

concise with the childminder understanding the timescales in which she needs to respond should she have a written complaint. However, this is not clearly identified in the written policy. Safeguarding procedures are robust as systems are in place to ensure children’s safety are reviewed regularly, with policies that clearly state the procedures should they identify an incident. Furthermore, links with other settings the children attend further reinforce the importance of sharing information around such matters as existing injuries.

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provision

The childminder has successfully assessed her practice, with excellent plans for the future in order to create a more rewarding experience for all children and parents. Great efforts have been implemented to skilfully use the evaluation process as an effective tool to self-assess and self-reflect, offering the childminder a valuable insight into her strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, questionnaires to parents inform her practice as she makes changes to suit the individual needs of both parents and children. Regular meetings with her assistants enable the childminder to ensure all are kept up to date; policies reviewed and practice shared and celebrated. Links with the parents are exceptional as the childminder often goes out of her way to help parents and their changing childcare needs. Parents comment on how flexible she is, that they are very well informed, understanding the EYFS and how it impacts on her setting. Furthermore, they add that their

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provision

children have developed in their independence, self-esteem and confidence and as a result are happy to send all their children there. The childminder has purposeful links with other settings the children attend, sharing information, good practice and themes that the nursery or school are taking part in, which reinforces learning at her setting. Her approach to inclusion is extremely positive as she views all children as central to what she does. She ensures their individual needs are met at all times, valuing and respecting all. Her vast experience in the area of inclusion affords the childminder the ability to swiftly identify any child with developmental difficulties, along with secure systems to ensure they are closely monitored so the child is supported and listened to. This is extended to the parents, whom she supports whole heartedly, helping them understand the process, with the security that their child does not have a problem, its just that they learn differently from

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 others. Children develop their understanding of others as they celebrate differences such as other cultures, traditions, languages, religions and beliefs through many activities and conversations, supported by a wealth of visual stimulation that is constantly on display. Her understanding of how to adapt her practice in order to ensure all are included is comprehensive. Her dedicated and proactive approach allows all to be fully included.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident, knowledgeable and extremely self-assured individuals as they benefit from the outstanding support from both the childminder and her assistants. Children are encouraged to question, problem solve and negotiate as the childminder offers exciting learning experiences for all. Planning is simple, yet extremely effective. It is aimed at each child’s individual level of ability, learning style and personality. Children are assessed as they enter her provision based on information gathered from parents and initial observations that inform the childminder of what they can and cannot do, including their likes and dislikes. This is then used as a base to inform future planning and how adults will interact with the children, including what support they will be offered. A balance of outdoor and indoor play is offered with a degree of adult initiated activities to assess children’s learning against the early learning goals. Children experience such themes as,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

colours, shapes, making marks through writing names, letters and numbers in different formats, the textures and changes in leaves as they look at trees during the year, including the weather and the changing colours of autumn fruits. Children’s development is tracked through ‘learning journeys’ that look at the activity, what resources are used, areas that links to the EYFS, learning intentions, specific language they would like the children to develop, including implementation and evaluation. The childminder is extremely skilled at observing children, using many methods to gather her evidence then recording what she has seen. Observations are clearly linked to the individual child and are accurately evaluated to ensure their next steps are identified and aimed at a level that will securely challenge children further. The childminder has expertly passed on her knowledge through many years of experience and a secure understanding of the EYFS to her

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

assistants which ensures all children are monitored and tracked across the early learning goals. This is further underpinned as the childminder refers to current documentation such as the EYFS practice guidance and offers many alternatives to activities and outcomes for children, depending on their age. Opportunities for children to develop their skills are further extended as the childminder is successful at questioning children as they play with the Geo Stack. Children use their thinking skills to solve problems as they match shapes and colours. They identify the shapes as they carefully stack them onto the corresponding shape, with the childminder reinforcing their learning, confirming their success at completing it. Children negotiate their play as they share resources, helping each other to empty the tubs of programmable and musical toys. They understand concepts that enable them to use up-to-date technology, dancing around as they play music or press

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

buttons on the mobile phones, imitating conversations that are familiar to them. Children’s understanding of the wider world is explored as they look at a map of where they live, talking about the differences between land and sea and how far their relatives live from them. Language skills are abundant as children constantly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 chatter, using key words to request toys or drinks, asking questions to gain further understanding or reassurance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children flourish in the care of the childminder who offers secure yet flexible routines that help the children feel happy and secure. Relationships are extremely well-supported as the childminder helps children feel valued, respecting their wishes and offering guidance should they become upset or frustrated. Behaviour is well-managed, with any incidents quickly dealt with as children are asked to talk nicely to each other, share and take turns. The childminder underpins her practice further as she offers children the chance to understand their behaviour and how their actions may have consequences. She kneels down to their level talking to them in a sensitive manner and in a language that they understand. Children are very independent as they help themselves to fresh water when they become thirsty; take themselves to their own toilets and fetching resources, with older children serving their own food. They understand why they should wash their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hands and often use wipes or anti-bacterial gel themselves after eating or messy play. Clear policies and procedures ensures children remain safe, with all medication stored correctly, recorded and regularly reviewed. Furthermore, children are helped to understand good practice as the childminder and her assistants act as excellent role models, offering the children explanations as to why they record such events. All children confidently explore their environment and are extremely well-supported which enables them to have the freedom to enjoy their play and the purposeful interactions they experience. 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? 1 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: 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 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/01/2009

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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 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/01/2009 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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