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 EY379764 Inspection date 02/03/2009 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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 registered in 2008. She lives with her two children aged five and eight years in Water Orton, on the outskirts of Birmingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding as well as the bathroom and one bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access is via one small step at the front entrance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently looking after three children, of whom all are in the early years age range. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school group and to other community facilities. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare, learning and development is very well promoted in this family home where the childminder provides a secure and caring environment. All practice is inclusive and the childminder gets to know the children's individual needs well through discussions with parents and her own reflective observations of them. The childminder shows a good commitment to developing her knowledge and practice through attending a range of different training courses. She is establishing good links with the local pre-school and other early years settings to improve outcomes for children. She has sound systems in place to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision and to promote future development.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 review the risk assessment to take appropriate action to protect children from hot radiators.

p.3

provision

The childminder has settled into her role confidently and competently organises her day very well around the needs and routines of the children she cares for. She has compiled a good selection of policies and procedures which support her practice well which she regularly reviews. She has attended all the required courses since registration and shows a good commitment to maintaining her professional development through accessing others. She has effectively used the Ofsted self-evaluation form to review her practice and also regularly monitors her daily programme to ensure it is effective in promoting children's welfare and development. She seeks parents' views through regular discussion and has also started to use questionnaires. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents is strong and very comprehensive information is exchanged about the childminding business, both verbally and through her

p.3

provision

detailed portfolio. Useful information is gained about the children on the 'all about me form' enabling the childminder to get to know each child well from the start. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's development and progress through daily discussion, the sharing of the daily diary and their individual profile records as well as many photos and items of their work. This promotes a consistent working together towards children's next steps. The childminder has links with local childminders and attends their toddler group. She has established good communication with the local pre-school where she uses the open evening arranged especially for childminders to discuss children's progress and ways in which they can work together to improve outcomes.

p.4

provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder is alert to potential hazards and has taken appropriate action in most areas to keep them safe. She has rigorous procedures, such as the monitoring of sleeping babies and carrying out daily visual checks and completing comprehensive written risk assessment which is reviewed and added to appropriately. However, this does not fully address the control of the radiator temperatures. The childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibilities as regards protecting children from possible abuse or neglect and how to pass on concerns appropriately.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and devolvement are very well promoted by the childminder who has a very sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage(EYFS) and how to support and encourage the developing minds and bodies of young children. Children are learning about safety through on-going reminders, even for the very young, about how to play safety and look after themselves. They take part in regular fire drills and are encouraged to be aware of road danger. They have regular walks in the fresh air and constant opportunities for movement and physical play to support their mobility and co-ordination. Older children understand the importance of daily routines to promote their health such as hand washing before meals and learn about healthy eating as they share in the shopping or engage in fruit tasting sessions.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel valued and cared for as the childminder is very responsive to them, giving them lots of attention, eye contact and cuddles. They are learning to play well together as the childminder provides clear guidelines and encourages them even from an early age to think about each other. They are learning to develop social skills as they meet with other children and adults at the different groups within the community.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making excellent progress in their overall development as the childminder ensures she gets to know them very well through her own observations and a good partnership with parents. She is alert and responsive to them, instinctively attuned to the needs of young babies and their individual routines, such as when they need to sleep or feed. Young children are very secure and settled as they benefit from lots of positive attention and conversation, and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are provided with a spacious environment which encourages exploration and the investigation of new things. Children are offered an exciting range of different craft activities such as leaf rubbing, making home made musical instruments and hand and foot printing. They enjoy many stimulating sensory experiences as they explore the natural materials hidden in the beakers or the feel of different fabrics.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Their learning environment is well prepared in advance so they have a range of age-appropriate toys which are changed to maintain their interest and where role play is regularly used to extend children's understanding of their own health and safety, and the wider world. The childminder organises her day very efficiently around children's routines but also skilfully recognises and incorporates their individual preferences, such as making her own ball pool in the play pen where children are not only safe but enjoying new experiences. She carefully plans around certain themes ensuring that children have a wide range of learning opportunities, covering all areas of development and incorporating all ages. She uses her systems of observation and assessment very effectively to monitor children's progress and identify their next steps. Children thrive in this stimulating environment where the childminder spontaneously uses opportunities to extend

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

their learning and development, supporting and encourages them and ensures above all that learning is fun. 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? 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?

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: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

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.

p.7

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:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children). 20/03/2009 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 made to Ofsted since registration.

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