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 EY257460 Inspection date 16/04/2009 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 2003. She childminder's from her parent’s house in the Nuneaton area of Warwickshire. There are shops and schools within the local area. The premises are easily accessible. The whole of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children attend a parent and toddler group within the local area, which is run by the childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. Five children attend before and after school and some of these children are cared for during school holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has an early years qualification to Level 3 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. Since 2005 she has been part of the 'Children come first' network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides highly effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is achieved through her excellent knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play and first hand learning experiences. Her practice is extremely effective in ensuring that all children are well integrated and achieving as much as they can. Exemplary partnerships between parents and carers ensure children’s individual needs are met and their protection is assured. Regular ongoing training and competent evaluation of her practice ensures that she continues to provide outstanding levels of care and education.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 reviewing the arrangements for morning snack time.

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provision

The childminder is exceptionally well-organised, very experienced and demonstrates a professional and committed approach to her role. She is committed to improving her practice in all aspects of childcare and has competently completed a vast range of training, which has enabled her to fully understand how she can best support children's welfare, learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. The childminder is very focussed and extremely committed to building on her professional skills by prioritising further training. She is a member of the 'Children come first ' network and values the robust monitoring and assessment process that she goes through in order to maintain her outstanding practice. Comprehensive written policies and procedures underpin her knowledge, ensure that parents are well informed and children's individual needs are fully met.

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provision

The childminder is able to identify her key strengths and set targets to ensure continuous improvement.

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provision

Children settle with ease and feel very secure because the childminder dedicates time to get to know them. For example, she visits families in their own home and, with parents support, has developed individual photo albums about their home life, significant people and familiar surroundings. As a result, children develop a sense of belonging. Excellent partnerships are established between the childminder, parents and other professionals involved in each child's care. The daily exchange of information, both verbally and written, ensures that children's changing needs are consistently supported. Extremely effective systems are in place for discussing and recording each child's starting points and ongoing progress and development. All records are readily available to parents, alongside daily diaries, assessments, photographs and examples of creative work. This means that parents are fully involved in their child's care and learning, and that all individual needs are

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provision

acknowledged and met. Children experience high levels of supervision and superb individual attention. The childminder dedicates time to ensure her documentation is up-to-date and well maintained.

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provision

Children are very well safeguarded as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care. Thorough vetting procedures are followed to ensure children are cared for by suitable people and regular robust, risk assessments are completed to make sure that children are kept safe at all times. The childminder has successfully completed child protection training and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home is warm, very welcoming and child-orientated, with easy access to toys and equipment. Each child is valued as an individual and receives lots of loving care and attention. The childminder works highly effectively with the children to ensure that their welfare and learning and development are promoted to a very high standard. The superb learning environment and the childminder's impressive knowledge of how to develop learning through play, ensure that children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals, given their capabilities and starting points. Children are very happy, enthusiastic and confident in the childminders care. They have built trusting and positive relationships with her and show high levels of self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planning for each child is detailed, purposeful, challenging and fun. It is also flexible, which enables the childminder to respond to children's interests and moods, maximising children's enthusiasm. For example, a child has an avid interest This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in trains, therefore the train track is readily available and to extend this curiosity, a train ride was included in the planning. The childminder accurately records ongoing observations of children's development and progress in their individual books. The information gained is effectively used to identify learning priorities and plan for their next steps.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to make free and independent choices in their play, which is skilfully supported by the childminder, who uses open-ended questions to challenge and build on what children already know. She is constantly fully involved in the children's activities, encouraging them to persevere and skilfully moving them on to keep them well occupied and interested in their play. Children show great delight when they choose an item from the 'prop bag' and sing a song that is linked to that object, such as 'Old McDonald had a farm' when selecting an animal. They confidently recognise their name from a selection of cards and can identify numerous shapes and colours.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered wonderful opportunities to socialise and learn about others and the wider world. They develop relationships with other adults and different children as they attend a parent and toddler group and meet up with other childminders. They frequently visit places of interest, for example, museums, exhibitions, the fire station and nature areas. The childminder has an excellent awareness of developing healthy life styles and is passionate about using the outdoor environment. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the garden, where they can experience planting, sand and water play and riding on wheeled toys. Outdoor learning experiences are linked to children's interests and ideas. A visit to the farm was organised when a child was eager to know where milk came from. Children have great fun making 'snow angels' and structures in the snow, and learn to explore the texture of sand and experiment with water.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are valued and treated with equal concern. They are learning about countries of the world and eagerly send post cards from their holiday destinations. Great imagination is shown as they dress up in traditional costumes and their creativity comes alive as they paint, draw and construct models. An excellent range of resources promote positive images of our multi-cultural world. Books, puzzles and play figures help children to understand about other peoples communities and celebrate the similarities and differences between them in a diverse society. Any specific requirements are shared and met sensitively in discussion with the children's parents. Although there are no children currently attending who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder is confident to provide care which fully includes them in the life of the setting. Consequently, children thrive in a very supportive environment where their learning and progress is maximised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn the importance of keeping themselves safe they practise road safety whilst out walking and follow strict guidance from the childminder when travelling in the car. Children's understanding is further supported by very good use of excellent resources such as books, posters and role play activities and visits from 'people who help us' such as the Fire Officer. Children are made aware of the emergency escape procedures and practise the fire drill regularly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted, as stringent procedures are in place to prevent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the spread of infection and encourage children to develop good hygiene habits at mealtimes and when using the toilet. Parents provide their own children with a range of healthy snacks and they have access to drinking water and a fruit bowl at all times. Mealtimes are well organised to ensure that children eat in comfort. They sit at the dining table with the childminder, who supports younger children and encourages good manners. She continually assesses her practice and is currently considering changing the organisation of morning snack times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Excellent strategies for supporting positive behaviour are displayed by the children, who show a deep respect for each other and the home, toys and equipment they use. Children behave in a manner that is supportive to their learning. They develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives regular praise and encouragement. 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? 1 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? 1

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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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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