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 209695 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Olwen Pulker

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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 2000. She lives with her four adult children in a village near Wolverhampton in South Staffordshire. There are local shops and a park within walking distance. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access to the house is via a step. She has two small dogs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children all of whom attend part-time. Of these, seven children are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children to and from the local school and nursery. She also attends a carer and toddler group regularly and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. In general, children's welfare and learning are supported adequately by the childminder who has a warm and caring nature and strives to include children and parents to make them welcome. Parents are kept well informed of their children's care and about most aspects of the childminder's service; however not all required documentation and permissions are kept. Resources are sufficient and accessible to children. The childminder demonstrates some commitment to improving her service although only tentative steps are being taken towards self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation systems to assess the setting against the criteria of the EYFS.  develop the use of observational assessments to plan the next steps in children's learning and developmental progress  maintain a two-way flow of information with parents with regard to operational procedures and children's developmental needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain records of risk assessments, clearly stating when they were carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 16/04/2009  request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment 02/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare).

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provision

Children are kept mostly safe because the childminder's use of safety equipment and awareness of potential hazards to manage risks to the children. She undertakes risk assessments to identify hazards within the setting and when she takes children on outings to various locations. However, she does not maintain a record of the risk assessment. The childminder's knowledge of safeguarding procedures helps to protect children from harm and neglect. Children's health is promoted well. Appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure suitable action is taken in the event of injury or illness. Children's dietary needs are met in partnership with their parents and they are able to get outside each day in the fresh air. Most records are maintained in line with requirements although the childminder has not obtained written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice for children in her care.

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provision

The childminder organises her home to give a warm welcome to children and parents. There is a low-level table and a selection of resources, books and toys within children's reach. Displayed certificates and posters conveys information to parents and they receive examples of children's work and Mother's Day gifts of calendars that contain photographs of the children. The childminder builds sound relationships with parents. She keeps them well informed about the children's well- being and what they have been doing; however, they are less well informed of some of the childminder's operational procedures. In addition, the childminder currently lacks systems for sharing information with parents regarding children's interests and what they can do when they first start attending. This means that children may not initially be provided with experiences which are appropriate to their individual stage of development.

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provision

The childminder has undertaken some training courses offered by the local authority which has enabled her to improve her childcare knowledge, but she has not yet attended training to support her to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has begun to make some observational assessments of children's achievements but she is not yet successfully matching these to the expectations of the early learning goals and to identify learning priorities in order to plan relevant learning experiences for each child. Whilst the childminder is committed to improving her practice she has not yet used the Ofsted self-evaluation form effectively in order to evaluate her practice. Consequently, she lacks a clear focus for future developments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They develop a sense of belonging and inclusion because the childminder and the environment are welcoming. Daily routines are used well by the childminder to include children in discussion about what she is doing and what they can do to keep safe. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages children to become aware of how they can stay healthy by encouraging them to use tissues to clean their noses and wash their hands. Children are able to help themselves to drinks as their cups and beakers are placed within easy reach and younger children are offered a drink at frequent intervals. The childminder prompts children to make healthy eating choices, offering fruit in place of chocolate and sweets. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming active learners who are included in activities such as visits to local groups where they mix with other children to extend their social skills. They enjoy going for nature walks to see the squirrels and birds and gain an awareness of their local community. Children demonstrate growing levels of confidence and self-esteem as they initiate their own play and confidently seek support from the childminder who spends time with them showing interest in what they are doing and saying, which also supports their communication skills. Children enjoy looking at books finding and naming letters and tracing the shapes with their fingers. They sing along with familiar nursery rhymes played as background music and 'march' in time to 'The grand old Duke of York'. They concentrate well for a period of time when exploring and playing with 'moon sand'. Opportunities exist for the children to paint, draw, bake and make collages with tissue paper and wool

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

which help them develop their creative skills. Whilst these activities support children in enjoying and achieving and learning skills for the future, their progress is not fully promoted due to weaknesses in planning and assessment. The childminder has begun to record some observations of what the children are doing. However, she has not yet used this information to identify what their learning priorities are. Consequently, activities are not always planned according to children's individual learning needs. 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

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment at least once in each calendar year, and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 16/04/2009  have a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 16/04/2009

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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 under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 16/04/2009  take action as specified under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 16/04/2009

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