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 209481 Inspection date 24/03/2009 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 1992. She lives in a house in Staffordshire with her husband and two adult children. The childminder is registered to care for six children on the Early Years Register and is currently caring for seven children within the early years age group. The children attend for various sessions throughout the week. All the downstairs areas and the upstairs bathroom is 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 and a member of the South Staffordshire Childminding Network. The childminder 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 provides a warm and welcoming environment for the children and their parents. She works closely with parents to ensure inclusion, consistency and that the children's on-going welfare is maintained. The childminder also liaises well 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 parents and children are all 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?

 develop the risk assessment procedures to include all outings involving the children  develop the safeguarding procedures ensuring this includes what will happen in the event of an allegation against the childminder or a member of the family.

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provision

The leadership and management of the early years provision is good. There are positive relationships between the childminder and the parents. Contractual agreements are completed by the childminder and all parents. The details on children's information sheets ensure children's needs are identified and acknowledged by all parties. 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 very well with other settings providing for the children in the EYFS, thereby further promoting inclusion. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder observes the children and plans for their next steps in all areas of their learning and development as agreed with parents. She also evaluates the provision well. The process of evaluation includes input from the children and

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provision

parents and outlines the strengths and areas for further improvement. Improvement following the last inspection ensures children's welfare is well- maintained.

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provision

There are clear safeguarding policies and procedures in place which are made available to the parents. However, the safeguarding policies and procedures do not yet clearly outline what will happen in the event of an allegation against the childminder or a member of the family. There is a good range of written policies available to the parents to ensure they are kept informed about the service provided. Risk assessment are carried out by the childminder and includes areas, equipment and resources. However, the risk assessment procedures in place do not yet include all outings undertaken by the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about their environment, identifying features and noticing the natural world. They do this through a range of outings to places of interest. For example, they like to go on local walks to look at the stream and collect leaves and snails to bring back to look at closely. To continue their learning the children paint the leaves and draw pictures of snails to take home. The children also enjoy looking at the cows and sheep in the fields around them. Other outings enjoyed by the children include visits to the toddler and childminding groups at the local children's centre. Here the children have the opportunity to build relationships with other children and learn to share and turn take with the resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to be independent and manage their own personal hygiene. They do this through routine as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children also talk about washing the germs off their hands. During meal times the children enjoy talking about healthy eating and why they need to be physically active. Children are also learning about personal safety. They do this through activities looking at people who help them such as the lollipop man they meet on the way to school. Children practise crossing the road safely under close supervision of the childminder. They also learn about the importance of personal safety because they practise the fire evacuation procedures with their peers and the childminder. Children are provided with a good range of healthy eating options which included meat, pasta, vegetables and a range of fruit for snack times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to move with control and use a range of equipment to develop their physical skills. They enjoy regular visits to the local park where they practise their climbing and balancing skills using the large equipment under supervision of the childminder. Children also enjoy using trikes and scooters in the garden. The children use a range of tools to promote their small muscle movement. This includes using rollers and cutters during play dough activities, using knives as they spread icing on biscuits and using paintbrushes and crayons during creative activities. Children enjoy a good range of creative activities. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 like to mix paint colours to make pictures and use a range of materials to make collages during cutting and gluing activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to explore problem solving and use numbers in familiar contexts. They enjoy putting together train tracks and experiment by balancing trains on top of the signs saying ' look, it doesn't balance'. They also explore problem solving and look at numbers as they use board games such as snakes and ladders. Children think about concepts of big and small as they watch the traffic drive past and notice small cars against the large lorries. The children explore numbers and problem solving activities through the use of the table top computers which provides opportunities for children to look at shapes and what's missing in the picture. This also supports children's interest in information communication technology.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs. They enjoy exploring a range of festivals throughout the calendar year. For example, during Chinese New Year, children made purses to take home to their family. Also, during Diwali the children enjoy dipping candles into glitter and colouring in pictures relating to the festival. Children play with a range of toys and resources that positively reflect diversity. They play with dolls that depict positive images of different cultures and of people with disabilities. 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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