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 209671 Inspection date 10/03/2009 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 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and ten in a village near Wolverhampton. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. A step leads up to both the front and back doors of the property. The family has eight cats, two rabbits, a rat and a hamster as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, four of whom are in the early years age group. All attend part-time. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local schools and pre-school group to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group.

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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 a safe and secure environment where they are all offered a balanced range of adult- led and child-initiated activities. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure all children's specific needs are met. She is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets most of the specific legal welfare requirements. The childminder continuously reflects on her practice and receives regular information the childminder area coordinator to support her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations and assessments of children's achievements to identify learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child, matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.  gain an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues in order to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance and procedures  promote the good health of children further by impoving their personal hygiene with regard to washing their hands before mealtimes and ensure that the cats' proximity to children and food does not pose a health risk.

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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 risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken with children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 25/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is able to recognise possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and is committed to safeguarding children. However, she does not have an up-to- date understanding of safeguarding children in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures and therefore is not fully aware of the procedures to follow if concerned about a child. She maintains a current first aid certificate, enabling her to offer children appropriate care in an emergency. She has a suitable understanding of how to assess and modify the service she offers in order to include children with specific needs. There is a clearly maintained record of the risk assessment which the childminder carries out to ensure children remain safe whilst at the setting. However, she does not complete a risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken with children which limits how effectively she can identify and minimise hazards to children away from the setting.

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provision

The childminder has developed positive partnerships with parents who appreciate the quality of care she provides. She makes time for the regular exchange of information. This ensures she understands parents' wishes for the care of their children and they, in turn, are informed of what the children have achieved at the setting. The childminder has also formed effective links with other settings children attend such as nurseries and playgroups, to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information.

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provision

The childminder effectively evaluates the service she offers to children and their parents. She recognises areas for improvement and has identified suitable ways to address these. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to meet the recommendations made at the last inspection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. There is an adequate range of easily accessible and well-maintained toys to promote purposeful play. The learning environment is organised well to meet the needs of the children. The childminder organises her time to give children individual attention so that each child feels special and valued. She provides good support to children as they play, making acceptable use of incidental opportunities to consolidate their knowledge of colours, shapes and counting and talking to the children to develop their speech. The children show a keen interest in books and concentrate well as they look at books with the childminder. They identify and name letters and discuss what they see on the page. The childminder asks open-ended questions to make them think and introduces new words to extend their vocabulary. Children are encouraged to talk about familiar events in their lives as the childminder talks to them about their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

morning at nursery. They concentrate well and persevere for some time to complete alphabet jigsaws. They are taken on regular trips into the local community, where they visit the library and play park or walk to see the horses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is familiar with the children's interests and abilities and provides a range of play resources and activities to meet these. She has begun to develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systems for undertaking observational assessments, linked to the different areas of learning, to clearly identify what children can do. These assessments are not yet used to identify and plan the next steps in children's learning. As a result children are not necessarily fully supported to extend their individual learning and development towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are mostly protected from illness and infection through effective policies and procedures. However, children do not always wash their hands before eating and cats are not always prevented from being in contact with the children during mealtimes. The childminder ensures that children have regular drinks and eat their main meal and fruit before they have any sweets that may be included in their lunch boxes. Children have regular opportunities for active physical play and daily walks to and from nursery and school help them develop an active life style. Children develop their social skills as they mix with other children in playgroup or nursery. The childminder involves them in simple card games such as snap to encourage concepts of taking turns and playing fairly. She manages behaviour so that children learn what they ought to do and they are beginning to respond positively to her realistic expectations and age-appropriate explanations about how

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they need to behave in order to keep themselves and others safe. She praises and congratulates the children's efforts and achievements and encourages them to share toys and help tidy up. 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? 3

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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? 3 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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