Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

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 208380 Inspection date 27/03/2009 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 1995. She lives with her husband and one adult child in a suburb of Telford. Her husband is also a childminder and they work together when he is not engaged in his full-time occupation. The childminder has overall responsibility for childminding practice. Her co-childminder works in a supportive role. The home is within walking distance of the local shopping area, community centre and school. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. Access to the home is via a step into the hall. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time when working alone and for ten children when working with her co-childminder. Currently they are caring for eight children between them, four of whom are within the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She 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 good. Children are happy and settled, supported well by the childminder who has a clear awareness of each child's individual needs. The partnership with parents and other providers contributes effectively to ensuring that children's needs are met. The childminder is putting systems in place to evaluate the practice and the recommendations raised at previous inspections have been suitably addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observational 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  maintain an accurate record of the names of the children looked after, the times of their of attendance at the premises and the names of the persons responsible for their care.

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provision

The childminder takes lead responsibility for maintaining appropriate records, policies and procedures which are shared with parents. Most required documentation is in place and appropriately maintained; however, records of children's attendance do not accurately reflect the time they spend in the setting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nor identify which childminder has care of the children. In addition, children are not listed by their names but by the initial of their given names which does not provide sufficient information to fully safeguard children. The childminder regularly reviews and updates risk assessments to cover all areas of the home and also outings children take part in. This ensures any potential hazards to children are minimised, and promotes children’s safety whilst in her care. The environment is well-organised and enables children to freely access a range of equipment and

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provision

resources. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection and a clear understanding of her own responsibility, which ensures all children are safeguarded.

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provision

The childminder continues to update her professional skills by attending required training and has completed a number of short courses introducing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This helps to improve outcomes for children and enables her to implement new ideas into her practice, for example, making detailed observations of children activities. However, she is still developing her planning and systems for recording the next steps in children’s learning and development. The childminder and her co-childminder have a close working relationship with parents, sharing information verbally on a daily basis with regard to children's care and activities. Parents can access their children's portfolios containing numerous photographs and examples of their work at any time to see the progress they have made.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her provision and has the capacity to make improvements; she has addressed the recommendation from her previous inspection and has identified the systems used for assessing children's progress to assist future planning as a specific area for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals in every area of learning. The childminder's constant engagement with the children encourages their sustained thinking and helps them to gain the maximum enjoyment and benefit from their activities. They are happy, well-settled and eager to learn. The children freely select their favourites from the range of toys, activities and equipment suitable for their individual needs. Individual routines for sleep and rest are fully incorporated into the childminder's day, promoting continuity of care for everyone. The childminder knows each child well and works closely with parents and other providers, such as teachers, to support children's learning. Their speech and language is promoted by the childminder speaking to them clearly and encouraging them to extend their vocabulary with new words, for example, when looking at books. Children enjoy mark making and following hand actions as the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder sings their favourite action songs. They develop their knowledge of numbers and counting when building brick towers and matching domino cards. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world through celebrating various festivals and visiting local places of interest such as the Cosford Air Museum. Whilst photographs and written observations mark children’s progress, their next steps for development are not clearly identified nor used to inform planning for their individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are kept healthy in the setting as they learn the importance of good hygiene, for example, they have their hands cleaned before they eat and tissues are used hygienically to wipe their noses. The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and encourages children to have healthy and appetising snacks of fruit

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

such as sliced strawberries and grapes. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle is further promoted as children access fresh air and exercise on a daily basis enjoying outdoor play in the garden or walks around the local area and visits to the park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well-cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has all systems in place to respond appropriately. Children are kept safe as the premises are very secure. The home is free of hazards and the children’s safety is further promoted because the childminder regularly practises fire drills with them. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out and know to abide by certain rules. Children's behaviour is good. They are learning to be considerate and polite and are encouraged to use good manners at all times by, for example, saying 'please' and 'thank you' and helping to tidy away. They also develop a strong sense of acceptable behaviour, which older children share with their friends. Children have regular opportunities to meet and play with others when the childminder takes them to visit other childminders and local groups. This helps them to develop good life-skills for the future.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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