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 EY342531 Inspection date 28/04/2009 Inspector Ann Winifred Harrison

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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 2006 and works alongside a co-childminder. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and ten years of age in Penkridge, Staffordshire. Access to property is via a flat driveway and one step up into the entrance hall. All of the property is used for childminding purposes. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently eight children attending of whom five are in the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is working towards a Level 3 early years qualification. She takes children to and collects them from local schools. Children are also taken on outings and to the local carer and toddler group. The family has one dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to effectively meet children's welfare, learning and development. She ensures that all children's needs are met so that they feel valued and included. Partnerships with parents, carers and other settings are good therefore providing consistency of care for all children. The childminder has started to evaluate her setting and has recognised areas she wishes to address to improve her practice. She is committed to improving her knowledge and skills through on-going training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the educational programme by using the assessment to fully suppport planning  increase resources that reflect diversity with regard to gender roles and disabilities to support children's understanding that people have different needs, cultures and beliefs that need to be treated with respect.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment for the children in her care. All documentation is kept on the premises and details required information regarding children's individual needs. Detailed risk assessments on the premises and of each type of outing are in place and are regularly reviewed. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 means any potential hazards to children are minimised, and their safety is promoted. The childminder continues to update her professional skills by attending required training and is currently completing a relevant early years qualification. This helps to improve outcomes for children and this enables her to implement new ideas into her practice. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her provision and together with her co-childminder has identified her strengths and areas for improvements, such as increasing resources and improving written planning.

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provision

The childminder establishes strong and effective partnerships with parents and carers to keep them informed of their child's routines, play and learning. Written observations provide information for parents about their child's progress and the childminder encourages parents to contribute their observations and comments. Photographs of children engaged in a wide range of activities are available for parents' perusal. Effective written policies are in place and are used in everyday practice. A wealth of good quality information is shared with parents and carers. They are aware of procedures should they be unhappy with any aspect of the service provided.

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provision

The childminder has comprehensive safeguarding procedures so that children are protected at all times. She is familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse and has a good understanding of her role in protecting children. A written statement is available for parents and carers who are made aware of the childminder's responsibility to report any concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and spends the majority of her time engaging and playing with the children. Resources are organised so that they are easily accessible to children to enable them to become independent learners and make decisions about what they want to do. Children are provided with a range of interesting and stimulating activities to help them make good progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder has started to implement written plans and to complete sensitive observational assessments. Although the planning is flexible and responds to the children’s interests and ideas, the information gained from observations and assessments is not being fully explored to plan for individual next steps in learning. This potentially restricts their progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which focus on children's interests. For example, children enjoy learning about the environment as they go on walks to the canal to feed the ducks and to watch the boats go through the locks. They visit the farm to see a range of animals and enjoy seeing the baby lambs. The childminder recognises the importance of books and children can access them at all times. They enjoy listening to stories and singing songs and rhymes and visit the library to look at books and attend a drama group. They have access to writing materials and have good opportunities to practice their mark making skills. Good questioning by the childminder helps children to problem solve, such as how many cars can you see and many bricks can you build. She builds children's confidence by supporting their leaning such as when completing puzzles she helps them to look at the shapes of the pieces and

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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 gives them praise when they complete the task. Children are learning about the wider world as they the childminder talks to children about other cultures and people's differences in books and stories, and they look at other countries on an interactive globe. They talk about food from other cultures and are learning how other cultures celebrate various festivals, such as Chinese New Year. The childminder has some resources that reflect diversity such as dolls and books, however the resources that reflect positive images of disabilities and gender roles are limited. This restricts children's understanding of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetable sticks and rice cakes. The childminder woks with parent to provide balanced and nutritious lunch boxes to ensure children are healthy. They learn about healthy eating as the childminder explains to them that fruit is good for them and that sweets are best as occasional treats. Children's health is further promoted through good opportunities for fresh air and outdoor play. They enjoy daily walks to the school and play in the garden on bikes, swings and a trampoline. Children learn about safety as they practice the evacuation procedures and they know not to throw toys and to be careful on the trampoline through discussions with the childminder. They learn about road safety as they walk to school which helps to keep them safe. 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

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