Childminder in Warwickshire

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 201690 Inspection date 24/03/2009 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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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 1988. She lives with her husband, who is also an assistant, and two grown up children, in a residential area of Bedworth in Warwickshire. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The home is easily accessible and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), most attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. There are three children attending after school and some school holidays. 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 in the childminder's home and benefit from her friendly and caring nature. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and, as a result, confidently meets most of the requirements. Effective partnerships with parents and carers ensure that children's needs are met. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and successfully promotes inclusive practice so that children feel secure and valued. She demonstrates a good capacity for improvement and a strong commitment to training and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations to look at children's next steps in their learning and encourage parents to contribute to assessment records.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct and review risk assessments at least once a year and maintain a record of these checks (Safeguarding and Welfare, also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 28/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well organised and most required documentation is in place. Policies and procedures work well in practice and effectively contribute to children's overall well-being. Potential hazards within the home are identified and minimised through daily checks. For example, unused plug sockets are covered and safety gates prevent children accessing areas which are out of bounds. The childminder takes a range of steps to protect children whilst on outings and these include the use of appropriate car safety seats, teaching children about road safety and informally assessing the risks at the venues they visit. However, a full risk assessment of the premises and outings is not conducted or reviewed regularly as required. As a result, some potential hazards may not have been identified. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and has attended specific training in this respect. She has a clear safeguarding policy that she shares

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provision

with parents and this means that they are well aware of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm.

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provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers to ensure children's individual needs are fully met. They are provided with comprehensive information about her service. This includes a wide range of clearly written policies, details of her training and a general information file. Further information is shared through examples of children's work, written observations and photographs that are displayed in children's progress files. However, parents and carers are not effectively encouraged to contribute to these records to help build on what children know. The childminder regularly communicates with parents about home routines and family practices so that they can adopt a common and consistent approach that effectively helps children to settle and progress.

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provision

The childminder has a clear and realistic self-evaluation process in place to identify areas for future development. She regularly reflects and evaluates the provision to ensure that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has begun to forge links with other settings and this enables her to meet the needs of children attending these settings and extend and support their learning when they are in her care. The childminder frequently accesses training to keep her knowledge and skills updated. She regularly meets with other childminders to discuss and share good practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home, ensuring that they are happy and feel secure to be left in her care. As a result, children are at ease in her company. She understands how young children learn and this enables her to provide a good range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. Planning is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on children's interests. This enables them to make good progress across the areas of learning. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Individual assessment records help to identify what children can do, however, they do not look at the next steps in their learning, therefore some children may not be appropriately challenged.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy easy access to toys and equipment and demonstrate good levels of independence. Resources are stored in various places throughout her home and are frequently rotated to enhance their enjoyment and learning experiences. Children know what is available and older children are confident to ask for items that they cannot see or reach. The childminder encourages children's language skills through effective interaction. They listen intently to stories and eagerly answer questions about the content. Puppets and other props are used to hold children's excitement and to keep them motivated and interested. Children are encouraged to be active learners and they begin to problem solve as they operate programmable toys or attempt to place jigsaw pieces into the correct spaces. Mathematical concepts such as counting and number recognition are introduced in their play and through everyday routines. For example, counting how many cups,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

knives and forks are needed at mealtimes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder regularly meets up with other childminders and attends local community groups where children engage in an even wider range of experiences and are able to socialise with other adults and children. They learn about the wider world through activities based around a variety of religious and cultural festivals and they explore their creativity through craft activities, engaging in role play and singing and making music.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have lots of physical exercise and enjoy plenty of fresh air. They regularly use equipment in the garden and go for walks out and about in the local environment. Leaves and fir cones are collected to use in their creative play and children talk about wildlife and nature. The childminder provides meals and snacks for the children once they have been weaned; until then, parents supply ready- made bottles and food which is carefully re-heated. Good care is taken to ensure that the food provided is healthy, balanced and nutritious. Children are aware of the value of healthy eating because the childminder talks to them about it and she plans a menu taking into account their preferences and dietary requirements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children respond appropriately to the childminder’s house rules and expectations for their behaviour. Good manners and politeness are encouraged. They are consistently praised for their achievements and as a result they have good self- esteem. The childminder helps children to understand about keeping safe, for example, they learn about road safety and they practise the fire evacuation procedure so that they know what to do in an emergency. 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: 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 28/04/2009

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