East, Sandra Joy

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 201130 Inspection date 18/03/2009 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 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 1990 and lives with her husband and two adult children in a residential area of Bedworth in Warwickshire. She co-minds with her husband, both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The premises are easily accessible and the whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a small fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 seven children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. There are four school aged children attending for various sessions. The childminder currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder and her co-worker provide a happy, welcoming environment, in which children’s welfare is successfully promoted. All children make good progress towards the early learning goals given their individual starting points. Excellent partnerships with parents and effective links with local schools ensure that the needs of all children are well met. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are well supported and are effectively included and thrive in the childminder's care. The childminder and her co-childminder have an accurate understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and take effective steps to improve their practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 match children's assessments with the expectations of the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures ensures that children are well protected. For example, she has attended training and information regarding Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is displayed. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate records. All required documentation is in place and is well maintained and up-to- date. Robust risk assessments have been conducted by the co-minder and both demonstrate a clear understanding of how to minimise hazards by putting safety measures in place. For example, socket covers and effective use of stair gates. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Excellent relationships are formed with parents and carers to ensure children’s individual needs are fully met. Extensive information is gathered about their child before they start so that they settle readily and feel secure. Each child has their

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provision

own book which contains an 'All About Me' sheet which is completed with parents before care begins and includes information such as favourite books and toys, members of their family and details of what the child likes to do, as well as anything they are scared of or do not like. This means that children's individual needs are thoroughly known and can be effectively met by the childminder. The daily exchange of information ensures that children's changing needs are consistently supported. Children experience high levels of supervision and excellent individual attention. The childminder and her co-minder dedicate time outside of their minding hours to ensure that documentation is up-to-date and well maintained.

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provision

Self-evaluation and monitoring systems are in place and the childminder shows a strong commitment to developing and improving practice. For example, she identifies her training needs and is keen to access courses. Systems are in place to develop links with other providers in order to ensure consistency. The childminder and her co-childminder have an accurate understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and take effective steps to improve their practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as the childminder and her co- minder warmly welcome them into their home. Children are shown care and affection and treated as part of the family. They are familiar with the well- organised learning environment and confidently find toys and resources from low- level shelving and storage. The childminder knows the children very well, she uses this information with her secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to provide exciting activities to promote learning. She observes children regularly and uses these observations to enable her to assess children's progress and development. However, the observations are not linked to the early learning goals and as a result children's next steps are not clearly identified across all areas of their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are engage in their play for long periods of time such as during imaginative play, they become engrossed as they act out scenarios, for example, cooking the co-minder breakfast in the play kitchen. They make sure that it is attractively presented on the plate and nothing falls off. The childminder supports their play by joining in spontaneously and offering ideas. Children's communication and language skills are developing well. They chat about what they are doing and have plenty of opportunities for mark-making as writing materials are always to hand. They enjoy listening to their favourite stories and have a good repertoire of songs. Children use the local environment to learn about nature. For example, they explore the snow and discuss and observe the changing seasons. They show excitement as they talk about the bulbs they are going to plant and will be growing seeds in the near future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very creative, for example, designing Mother's Day cards, using 'scrunched up' coloured tissue paper to make the flowers. Their pictures and drawings are displayed in the play room and they show great pride in their work. Children are well behaved and the childminder supports their behaviour in a positive way, calmly explaining her expectations and praising children when they have done well. They play together happily and are beginning to learn about sharing and taking turns because the childminder offers gentle encouragement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A strong commitment is shown to inclusive practice and the childminder and her co-minder are skilled in including each child in the activities according to their ability. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are warmly welcomed and their individual needs are sensitively met. All children are included in planned activities and have free access to a vast assortment of toys. Children are developing a good understanding of the diverse needs and beliefs of others around them, with access to resources and activities such as play figures, books and puzzles. They describe how they make Chinese lanterns and find out about the Chinese zodiac.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a clear understanding of how to be healthy. They explore and learn about the outdoor world through walks in the park, shopping and meeting with other childminder's and their children. The garden is regularly used as a learning environment because toys and activities are taken outside to ensure that children benefit from fresh air. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene, and hand washing is incorporated into the daily routine. Discussions about germs help children understand the underlying concept of good hygiene practices. They enjoy a range of healthy packed lunches which their parents provide and snacks of fresh fruit. Good information is gathered about children’s dietary needs to ensure that they can eat safely

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder and the co-minder help children to develop an excellent understanding of how to stay safe. For example, whilst out walking children learn about road safety as they talk to the children about the highway code, using patrolled crossings and reinforcing the children's understanding of 'Stranger Danger' in a sensitive manner. They are actively involved in making the 'safety rules' which help to keep themselves safe. Children have a secure understanding of why they must clear away toys when they have finished playing, for example, to prevent tripping hazards. They know that they cannot play with small toys such as beads when babies are around because if they put them in their mouth there is a risk of them choking. The co-minder has a vast amount of knowledge about fire safety. She ensures that children are fully aware of the evacuation procedure and regular fire drills are practised, which develops children's awareness of fire safety.

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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? 1 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 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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