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

p.1

Unique reference number 201157 Inspection date 13/07/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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 with Ofsted since 1993. She lives in Rugby with her husband and two adult children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder's mother and husband are registered as her assistants. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home, together with a bathroom on the first floor, is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder has systems in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Safety is afforded a high priority and children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. Children's individuality is fully recognised and the childminder offers them a wide range of experiences that are thoughtfully planned and resourced to encourage them to develop new skills, gain knowledge and have fun. Consistency and coherence for children is considered because effective partnerships are in place with their parents and sound links are fostered with other settings delivering the EYFS. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity for improvement, however, systems to evaluate her practice and encourage parents to actively share what they know about their children are not yet fully developed.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop methods to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process and encourage them to contribute to their child’s learning and development record  develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to further identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder is well organised and all required documentation is in place. Policies and procedures work extremely well in practice and effectively contribute to children's overall well-being. Children have ample room to play and rest and space is thoughtfully utilised to maximise children's learning and play opportunities. The childminder is very vigilant with regards to safety issues and comprehensive systems are in place to successfully assess and minimise risks within her home. Security is good and children are not left unsupervised with persons who have not been appropriately vetted. The childminder takes a wide range of steps to protect children whilst on outings and these include the use of appropriate car safety seats and assessing the potential risks at the venues they visit. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and has attended specific training in this respect. She has a clear

p.4

provision

written safeguarding policy that she shares with parents and this means that they are well aware of her role and responsibilities with regards to protecting children.

p.4

provision

The childminder demonstrates, through her enthusiasm and professionalism, that each child is valued and special. She takes the time and effort to really get to know children and their families so that she can effectively understand and meet children's individual needs. She has attended a variety of training since her last inspection and regularly meets up with other childminders to discuss and share good practice. The childminder uses a variety of methods to monitor and evaluate her practice and these include regularly reviewing policies, asking for parental views and assessing and checking her resources. She shows a sound appreciation of her own strengths and weaknesses and has suitably met a recommendation raised at her last inspection. However, she is not clear with regards to future plans that will help to improve the quality of provision for all children.

p.4

provision

Children are at ease in the setting and benefit from the good partnership that the childminder has established with their parents. Parents are provided with comprehensive written information about her service, for example, policies and procedures and additional information is shared through everyday conversations, daily diaries and individual children’s ‘Learning Journals’. However, the effectiveness of information gained from parents is reduced because they are not actively involved in the observation and assessment process and don’t currently contribute to children’s progress records. The childminder has forged links with other settings delivering the EYFS and this enables her to meet the needs of children attending these settings and extend and support their learning when they are in her care. The childminder regularly communicates with parents about home routines and family practices so that they can adopt a common and consistent

p.4

provision

approach that effectively helps children to settle and progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress and are supported well by the childminder who knows them well. She is aware of their individual needs and personalities and works effectively in partnership with their parents to enhance their learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. She observes them on a regular basis and records her findings in individual children’s ‘Learning Journals’ that she shares with their parents. These contain brief written observations, examples of children's artwork and photographs of the children involved in play and help to build up a picture of what children are doing now and where the childminder intends to move them on next. She refers to these observations when planning children’s future experiences and ensures that resources and activities are appropriate for all that attend. Children enjoy independent access to a variety of good quality toys and equipment. Resources

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

reflect diversity well and planned activities and a good partnership with parents help children to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others. The childminder borrows additional toys from other providers and rotates her resources to maintain interest and add variety to children’s play.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and having fun. They are at ease with the childminder and she encourages them to be inquisitive and active learners through offering choices and posing questions that encourage them to think and problem solve. Experiences available to children are varied and stimulating, for example, they engage in role play and craft activities and enjoy sharing books and stories. Children are provided with lots of opportunities to play and mix with other adults and children and these help children to develop social skills and confidence. Various topics are used by the childminder to act as a stimulus for children’s learning and she organises outings based on these to enhance children’s fun and experiences. For example, children have recently visited a train station, gone on a bus journey and walked to the local canal and all were connected to the topic based around ‘Transport’. Displays of photographs taken on the outings, along

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

with memorabilia and children’s artwork, encourage children to remember and talk about their experiences and provide additional information for parents about what their children do during their time with the childminder.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Safety is routinely reinforced and children are learning to protect themselves as they are taught about road safety and ‘stranger danger’ and take part in regular emergency evacuation drills. House rules are clearly explained to all the children in a developmentally appropriate manner and are shared with their parents. These rules protect children and help them to become responsible and show care and consideration for others. The childminder provides children with a positive role model and has a very warm and caring manner. She motivates them to achieve and behave appropriately through plenty of praise and rewarding their good behaviour and effort. The childminder successfully promotes a healthy lifestyle through a combination of everyday conversation and carefully planned experiences. For example, visits to a local garden centre and an allotment have encouraged children to try fruit and vegetables and understand how they are

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

grown. Also, children enjoy plenty of physical play, fresh air and exercise and are learning about the importance of hygiene routines, for example, hand washing and cleaning teeth. 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? 2 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? 1

p.6

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?

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: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7