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 EY261327 Inspection date 06/08/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 lives with her daughter in the village of Dunchurch, on the outskirts of Rugby, Warwickshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, except the main bedroom, and there is a fully enclosed, accessible garden for outdoor play. She has a dog, three rabbits, a hamster, tank of fish and stick insects as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children under five years at various times on the Early Years Register. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year- olds.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is outstanding. The childminder is very well organised, providing high quality care for many families, effectively balancing the needs of each child with all those attending at any particular time. She ensures that all aspects of their care and education are very well promoted as part of her ongoing commitment to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a pro-active approach to inclusion at the core of her practise. Excellent relationships with parents, and others involved with the children, underpin the provision and demonstrate her respect for their views. This results in true partnerships, so that detailed information is exchanged about each child. The childminder works very hard to maintain high standards, demonstrated through many recent improvements, including looking critically at all aspects of her provision and identifying areas for continuing improvement in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing the opportunities provided for parents to add information to children's individual learning journeys. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of her role in safeguarding children and considerable experience of liaison with other agencies to protect them. She is confident about what situations cause her concern and the action to take, always putting the welfare of each child first. The childminder is very aware of keeping children safe, with comprehensive risk assessments used to identify potential hazards in the premises and on their many outings and appropriate measures then put in place to minimise the risk. A daily check is completed and any action needed recorded, with regular reviews for example, when new children attend to ensure they are updated if necessary. During activities, children develop their understanding of keeping themselves safe, demonstrating an excellent awareness of why they only use the trampoline one at a time and why it is sunk into the ground in a grassed area. She maintains a balance between direct supervision and

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provision

allowing those children she knows are sensible a greater degree of autonomy.

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provision

All records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS and to ensure that the needs of all children are met are in place, well maintained and up-to-date, including the minor improvement recommended at the last inspection. Most of this documentation is made available to parents which ensures they are well informed about the provision in general and particularly about those aspects that impact on their child, such as day-to-day activities and care, recorded in daily diaries. New parents are encouraged to visit several times before deciding if this is the right setting for their child, with all existing parents made to feel extremely welcome and involved in decision making, such as for the recent garden development. Particularly evident are the close links the childminder has with other settings and practitioners working with many of the children. Parental views are used effectively as part of the childminder's self-evaluation, as

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provision

she reflects regularly on her current practise, identifying strengths and weaknesses and using the process to drive forward improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children access a wonderful learning environment, particularly in the newly created outdoor area which provides opportunities for gardening, a sensory area and large sunken sand pit and is an integral part of their everyday space. They engage in a wide range of interesting activities, with the childminder skilfully ensuring resources and equipment are accessible to all. She provides an excellent balance between activities she plans, following children's individual next steps in learning and considering the planning from local pre-school provision, and ideas that the children develop for themselves. For example, children have experience of a variety of pets and associated activities first hand, such as a visit from the vet and watching chicks hatch from eggs in the incubator. During activities, children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing, often linking to the current theme; for example, they discuss the smell of dough and the shapes they make as the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder supports their learning through appropriate interaction and questioning. They demonstrate high levels of skill with tools such as scissors, or the mouse on the computer as they independently access information. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder maintains detailed assessment records on all the children in the EYFS age group based on her frequent observations, in the form of learning journeys. These clearly show what they have learnt, what they need to do next and that they are all making very good progress. Information from parents which provides their starting points is updated termly to ensure the childminder is fully aware of children's current interests and abilities, although parents do not contribute directly to the learning journeys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is well promoted. They are encouraged towards healthy lifestyles through regular access to a variety of physical play both in the garden and adjacent park, so that challenge is provided for all. They walk to activities within the locality and experience growing plants and helping to choose what is purchased when the fruit and vegetable delivery comes each week. The childminder tries to encourage a healthy, varied diet, for example, they have fruit and jelly as a treat when biscuits were requested. Robust policies and hygiene practises help to protect children from the risk of cross infection, for example, paper towels are used after hand washing. Children' behaviour is generally very good as they are actively engaged in activities which capture their interest. Positive behaviour is promoted through praise which recognises both children's achievement and their effort and consistent reinforcement of the boundaries.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Social activities help children to develop strong self images and provide many opportunities to learn about taking turns and sharing resources. The childminder has a very good understanding of the triggers which cause many behaviour incidents and uses distraction, often to more physical activities, effectively to handle these. 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? 2 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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