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 EY316932 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

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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 2005. She lives in a house in Shropshire with her husband and three children aged nine, four and one years old. The childminder works with an assistant. She is registered to care for four children on the Early Years Register when working on her own, and up to 10 children when working with her assistant . Currently, the childminder and the assistant are caring for eight children within the early years age group. The children attend for various sessions throughout the week. All downstairs and upstairs areas are used for childminding and there is an enclosed outdoor play area. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has gained a CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare qualification. She is able to take and collect children from local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder works with an assistant each day. They work together to provide a warm and welcoming environment for all children and their parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure inclusion, consistency and that the children's on-going welfare is maintained. The childminder also liaises with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure that the children's needs are fully identified and met. There are systems in place to evaluate the provision. The systems ensure the assistant, parents and all children are included in the process. The childminder shows a sound commitment to improving her practice on an on-going basis.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations to plan children's next steps in all areas of their learning and development  develop the self-evaluation systems to clearly identify the strenghts and areas for further improvement within the provision  develop the safeguarding policies and procedures ensuring this includes what will happen in the event of an allegation against the childminder, the assistant or a member of the family.

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provision

The childminder works with an assistant who is in attendance each day. Both the childminder and the assistant are fully involved in the service provided. Contractual agreements are completed by the childminder and all parents. Comprehensive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 details on children's information sheets ensure children's needs are identified and acknowledged by all parties. Two-way diaries and daily exchange of information ensures everyone is fully aware of each child's on-going care and development needs. This promotes inclusion for all children on roll. The childminder liaises well with other settings providing for the children in the EYFS, thereby further promoting inclusion and continuity of care and learning for all children. The childminder has made a good start with regard to undertaking observations on individual children. However, the observations are not yet fully utilised to plan

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provision

children's next steps in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder and the assistant work together to evaluate the provision. However, the strengths and areas for further improvement of the provision have not yet been clearly identified. Parents and children are included in the process of evaluation. Improvement following the last inspection ensures children's safety and welfare is well-maintained.

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provision

The childminder and the assistant have a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. The safeguarding policy and all other policies are regularly reviewed, updated are made freely available to parents. However, the safeguarding policies and procedures do not yet clearly outline what will happen in the event of an allegation against the childminder, the assistant or a member of the family. There is a comprehensive risk assessment procedure in place undertaken by both the childminder and the assistant. Procedures include risk assessment of all areas, toys and equipment and also includes all outings undertaken by the children. Areas used by the children are well-maintained. The childminder and the assistant check all areas before the children arrive each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to form good relationships with their peers and the adults around them. They like to share the resources and enjoy a good range of outings to places of interest. This includes visits to the toddler groups where they enjoy being with other children and adults they meet. Other outings enjoyed by the children include visits to Cardingmill Valley and Attingham Park. Here, children enjoy using the large equipment such as slides and climbing frames and they look at the various farm animals such as the cows and pigs noticing what they eat and how they live. They also enjoy local walks where they notice the different transport passing by and the birds making nests in the trees. The children are beginning to move with control and use a range of equipment to develop their physical skills. They do this at the park and also in the garden where they use the small trampoline and the slide with confidence. During garden play, children also enjoy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

playing bat, ball and skittle games with their peers and the adults. Children use a range of tools to develop their small muscles. They do this as they paint and draw or use the glue stick when involved in creative work. Children's paintings and drawings are displayed for them around the play areas, thereby fostering their sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things that contribute to this. For example, they enjoy a good range of healthy meals and snacks, which includes meat, pasta and vegetables. They also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have fruit each day for snack time and water is available throughout the day. Children talk with each other and the adults during meal times about the importance of a healthy diet and the benefits of being physically active. Children know to wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. They discuss the importance of washing the germs off their hands. Children are learning about the importance of staying safe. They do this as they learn to cross the road on outings and while being involved in the fire evacuation practice at the setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children say and use numbers in familiar contexts and they count and recognise numbers. They enjoy looking at numbers as they walk to school and count the passing cars. They also count as they build with construction bricks and line up the cars during imaginary play. Children explore problem solving activities as they use the table top computer programmes. This helps children to explore various problem solving activities including shape recognition and thinking about what is missing or how many faces are on the screen. Children's interest in information communication and technology is also very well-fostered at these times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs. They do this as they play with a broad range of toys and activities that provide positive images of diversity such as dolls, books, puzzles and small world people depicting other cultures and people with disabilities. Children's interest in other cultures is further fostered as they explore various festivals around the calendar year. This includes exploring Chinese New Year and Divvali through arts and crafts and stories. Children's skills in arts and crafts is extended as they explore colour, texture, shape and form in two and three dimensions. For example, they enjoy using junk to build models and glitter and paints to create their own pictures to take home or display. They also enjoy exploring using their senses as they handle gloop and shaving foam and run their fingers through the corn flour and water, talking about how it feels.

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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 since registration.

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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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