Childminder in Shropshire

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY383820 Inspection date 08/07/2009 Inspector Dianne Andrews

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine years and one year old in a village on the Shropshire and Staffordshire border. The whole of the premises, which is accessed over the front door step, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for up to five children under eight years, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range at any one time. She is presently caring for one child in the early years age group. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming environment in which children settle well and make good progress because the childminder has a secure knowledge of how to provide activities that support their individual learning needs. Partnerships with parents and other settings are effective in ensuring all children are included and their individual needs well met. The childminder follows some effective procedures to promote children's safety and welfare, although not all risks are recognised and minimised. She has recently started to carry out a self-evaluation of her provision and is beginning to identify areas for development that will further improve the outcomes for children in her care.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 improve the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvements  develop the current safeguarding procedures to include consideration of the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the household.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that all hazards to children are kept to a minimum, in particular this refers to the pebble display and low-level glass (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the Childcare Register). 06/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder has accessed relevant training opportunities to support her registration and her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is expanding her knowledge further through the completion of NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. She has begun to develop a system for evaluating her strengths and weaknesses in order to promote continuous improvement and the best outcomes for children. She has developed a range of policies and procedures to underpin her practice, which are made accessible to all parents to ensure that they are aware of how the provision operates. She reviews practices as a result of experience, for instance, following a recent contagious illness she has reconsidered the exclusion periods necessary to protect children's good health. Children's records are up-to-date, easily accessible and stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

p.4

provision

Children benefit from good continuity of care because the childminder works in close partnership with their parents. She finds out information about specific needs related to diet or health and ensures that she follows parents' wishes. In particular, she has sensitively supported and continues to support a family through a difficult and traumatic period. The childminder compiles a six monthly progress report for parents and shares a daily diary with them. She also develops working partnerships with other care providers involved with the children's care to actively promote consistency. Parents are very pleased with the service that she provides.

p.4

provision

The home is bright, welcoming and the suitable range of toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to use. The childminder supports children's play effectively offering appropriate supervision to help keep children safe. There are some risk assessments in place, however, not all hazards in the home have been identified and minimised to ensure children's safety in all areas. The garden area, previously not available for use, has been made safe to promote children's accessibility to outside, active play.

p.4

provision

The childminder, on the whole, has an appropriate understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and is aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise regarding a child in her care to protect their well- being. However, she has not fully developed her procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a household member. She encourages parents to inform her of children's existing injuries and keeps a written record.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming aware of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They access drinks regularly from age-appropriate cups and enjoy a range of nutritionally balanced meals, prepared by the childminder. They are supported to learn basic personal hygiene routines such as hand washing prior to eating. As children go for walks in the locality they learn about road safety and in the home or at the park the childminder encourages them to use equipment and toys in a safe manner. Toddlers explore their environment confidently and readily approach This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder for reassurance, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure. However, the accessible low-level glass in the hallway where they use wheeled toys is not of a safety type to ensure that they can play actively and remain safe; similarly, small pebbles displayed in the lounge are a potential hazard.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Warm, caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. Children are valued and are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder frequently provides positive support, praise and encouragement for their efforts. They are encouraged to be kind to one another as they share the resources and through this they learn to take other's needs into account. They have books available and watch television programmes which help them to begin to understand about diversity within society, for instance, how some people use sign language to aid communication.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in an interesting range of activities, provided by the childminder or chosen by themselves from the inviting range of toys and equipment accessible within the playroom. When they are not interested in the planned activity, for instance, to explore shaving foam, the activity is abandoned and free choice is given, which helps to promote their independence. Children show a positive disposition to learning. The childminder uses her knowledge and observations of the individual children to offer experiences that they will enjoy and will help them to move on in their learning. Activities are based on children's interests, for instance, resources are available and expanded to allow a child the opportunity to empty and fill receptacles; using boxes of different shapes and sizes and containers within sand play. Children develop their language skills as they chat with the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

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.

p.7

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:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises) 06/08/2009

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises) 06/08/2009

p.7