Childminder in Shropshire

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 EY309986 Inspection date 16/03/2009 Inspector Juliette Jennings

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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 2007. She is a registered childminder in her mothers home, who is also a registered childminder at the same address, in a quiet suburb of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the co-childminder’s home is registered for childminding, though the downstairs generally is used, as well as the dedicated play rooms and the good sized garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, or 12 when working with another childminder or an assistant, and is currently minding eight children in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools and pre-schools and attends several childminding groups and other activities on a regular basis. She is a member of the local childminding network and the National Childminding Association, is qualified to Level 3 in an appropriate childcare qualification and is currently working towards her Foundation Degree status in early years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Thorough, detailed and effective procedures are fully implemented so that children's welfare and learning is supported well in this homely, caring, child-orientated environment. Partnerships with parents and others are strong and systems for communication work well to ensure that consistency of care is enabled at all times so that children's individual needs are met. Documentation is organised very well and consistently reviewed so that the children benefit from systems which work well in practice. All children enjoy access to a wide range of interesting, age-appropriate and enjoyable experiences, both indoors and outdoors, which help them to develop well towards the early learning goals with knowledgeable, sensitive and motivating support from the childminder. Procedures for reflective self-evaluation work well in highlighting any areas for ongoing improvement and this, combined with access to extensive

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

training opportunities, allow the outcomes for children to remain strong.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that the risk assessments on outings are reviewed each time they take place  implement the areas for improvement highlighted in the setting's self- evaluation to continue to improve outcomes for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are confident, calm and happy in the warm, welcoming and homely environment provided by the childminder. She works closely with her co- childminder to implement the strong and effective systems which support children's individual needs and requirements well on a daily basis. Clear, easy to understand and detailed written policies and procedures are in place which reflect the good practice. These procedures are readily available to all parents, are fully adhered to by both childminders and consistently reviewed to ensure that they remain working documents.

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provision

Children are supported very well on a daily basis because of the strong partnerships with parents. Activity diaries are completed for all children and these are sent home on a daily basis, alongside assessment records and learning journeys, so that parents have a good understanding of how well their children are making progress. Noticeboards, colourful displays and ongoing verbal discussions help to relay what all children have been doing during the day. In addition, ongoing discussions about future visits and activities mean that parents are well informed about what their children are doing, or are going to do, whilst they attend. This means that children can be cared for consistently, within a caring environment, in line with parents' wishes.

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provision

Children's safety is suitably ensured because the childminder has robust systems in place for security and safety. Daily visual safety checks and completion of detailed written risk assessments help to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. There were no safety issues highlighted at the time of the inspection. Security in and around the home is good and ensures that children remain secure in the childminders care. Written risk assessments are in place for any outings undertaken, although these are not currently reviewed prior to each outing. Detailed procedures for safeguarding are available in writing and the childminder ensures that she is up-to-date with current local safeguarding procedures, through training and local authority support, so that she can ensure that any concerns about the children in her care can be addressed promptly.

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provision

The childminder is proactive in accessing training to ensure that she is continually improving on and reflecting on her provision for children. She has clear aims and ideas for improvement in relation to what she wants to do to develop her service so that children continue to be well cared for and given good opportunities to develop and make progress. In particular, the childminder is looking at developing a formal system for developing close working relationships with parents and other providers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a range of healthy, balanced and nutritious homemade meals and snacks which are enjoyed in a social time, with other children and both childminders. For example, a meal of Spaghetti Bolognese followed by fruit yoghurts and drinks of water were relished by all children at lunch time on the day This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the inspection. Children are able to take a drink throughout the day when they wish as the childminder provides individual, age-appropriate cups and prompts younger children to take a drink frequently. Records and documentation are in place to ensure children's health needs are met, in line with the wishes of parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Organisation of the childminding setting is good and allows children to access a wide range of enjoyable and fun activities within a child-orientated, caring and relaxed environment. Colourful and interesting toys and resources are readily available at low-level so that children are able to access their favourite activities within a free play environment. Children enjoy role play activities, dressing up and looking at books within the playroom area in free play time. They are attentive and listen well at story time whilst helping to retell a favourite story. They relish their time in the outdoor environment, using wheeled toys with increasing skill, exploring the texture of sand in the sand tray whilst filling various containers and developing their early mark-making skills whilst drawing and colouring pictures of robots.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to become independent learners, develop their self- esteem and confidence and make decisions about what they want to do because there is a good mix of opportunities available for child-initiated play, alongside a range of adult-led activities which further support ongoing individual development. Activities and resources are provided which interest the children and help their development and progress towards the early learning goals. However, the childminder has highlighted that there is room for development in relation to developing links with other providers and she has highlighted this as an area for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures a broad range of activities are available to promote equality of opportunity and ensures that discussions and activities are woven into everyday activities, for example, a recent project looked at the Chinese New year. This helps to support the children to become aware of the wider world. In addition, the close partnership with parents, as well as her close working relationship with her co-childminder, ensures that children's individual needs and routines are accommodated very well within the well-organised childminding space. 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 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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