Childminder in HerefordshireOfsted inspection, 15 Apr 2009

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 223438 Inspection date 15/04/2009 Inspector Janette Elizabeth Owen

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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 has been a registered childminder since 1992. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder in Hereford city. The whole of the property with the exception of the cellar is used for childminding. The property has ease of access with toilet and washing facilities located on ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone and 10 children when working with another childminder and is currently minding six children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also provides care for three children over five years. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nursery. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary part of the childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is actively involved with the local support group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children develop behaviour appropriate to good learners and enjoy a programme of free play and planned activities both indoors and outside that support their learning and development towards the early learning goals. The childminder is able to use her knowledge and understanding of inclusion to enable all children to participate as fully as possible in the setting. Procedures to safeguard children have been much improved since the last inspection resulting in arrangements to promote children's welfare being implemented effectively in a caring, homely and secure environment. The partnerships with parents and other agencies are generally good ensuring that children’s learning and welfare needs are met. The childminder has reviewed and updated her self-evaluation identifying further improvements that can be made to enhance outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a systematic approach to using observations, use assessments to plan the next steps in children's developmental progress and regularly review this approach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is experienced and knowledgeable. She continues to update and improve her skills by attending regular training courses and workshops. Recent 'Letters and Sounds' training enables the childminder to support children's communication and language development well and safeguarding training ensures she is up-to-date with current information. This contributes to the quality of care the children receive.

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provision

The childminder has improved the welfare and safety of the children by addressing actions and recommendations made at the previous inspection. She continues to evaluate the quality of the care provided and has identified areas for further improvement. For example, obtaining Information Communication and Technology equipment, which is used to help children develop skills that contribute to their future economic well-being. All records, policies and procedures are in place and support the childminder in promoting positive outcomes for children. She has reviewed her arrangements for planning activities and assessing the progress children are making in their learning and development. However, systems to support ongoing observations are not yet fully effective in clearly showing the progress children are making towards the early learning goals and any next steps in their developmental progress. The childminder shares information on children's

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provision

progress with parents using photographs of activities children are engaged in and by talking about children's progress and achievements on a daily basis. There is a good relationship between the childminder and parents. Information on children's individual needs is discussed enabling the childminder to follow parents' wishes in relation to their child's care and any specific needs.

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provision

Children settle well and enjoy their time with the childminder. The premises are generally well-organised allowing children sufficient space to play, eat and rest. It is well-resourced with a very good range of developmentally appropriate toys and activities which are used well to support children's play and learning.

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provision

Children's safety and welfare is managed well. Procedures to ensure children's good health and minimise any risk of cross-infection are implemented effectively. Safety equipment is fitted where appropriate and risk assessments are carried out, reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and all household members have been vetted to ensure their suitability to be in contact with children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy participating in the range of activities and experiences provided. They are generally confident and self-assured settling down to activities provided such as a painting activity or selecting activities independently such as role play or enjoying looking at books. They are becoming active learners. The childminder ensures that activities cover all areas of learning, are interesting and enjoyable and help children progress towards the early learning goals. This means that children are able to make sound development overall. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Activities to support children's communication, language and literacy such as stories, songs and rhymes are further developed by the good interaction between the childminder and children. She engages children in conversation using activities to encourage children to talk about their own experiences. Speech and language

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

training has enabled the childminder to more effectively use questioning techniques to encourage children to develop their vocabulary and to demonstrate what they know and understand. Children's understanding of numeracy is developed through activities such as weighing and measuring, songs and rhymes, sorting and matching games. They demonstrate their developing understanding by using numbers, shapes and positional language in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A very good range of developmentally appropriate toys and activities are used well to support children's play and learning. The childminder uses the toy library to obtain different toys for the children such as dressing up clothes and the library is used to obtain books including dual language books which help children learn about other countries. The children thoroughly enjoy imaginative play and express their imagination and creativity using the lovely dressing up clothes as they act out being animals or characters from children's television programmes. They are confident and self-assured. Children are able to investigate living plants and creatures, planting, growing and harvesting vegetables they use in cooking activities. Displays of art work show children are using a range of materials and media to express their creativity and mark making skills. They learn about the community they live in when they go on outings and visit toddler groups where

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes good behaviour and a caring, sharing attitude by guiding children to use good manners and to play harmoniously. They are learning good codes of behaviour. Children's good health is promoted because they are taught to follow good hygiene routines and to eat healthy. They are provided with nutritious freshly cooked meals. They are able to develop their stamina and agility using outdoor play equipment and games indoors such as dance and movement. Children learn about safety, practising the evacuation procedure and road safety when on walks. 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 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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