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

p.1

Unique reference number 209545 Inspection date 15/09/2009 Inspector Jasvinder Kaur

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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her partner and three children aged five, seven and 13 years in the Brewood area of South Staffordshire. All areas of the property, except for the main bedroom, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access is via a step up into the provision. The family has two dogs and six chickens.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This provision is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is able to take and collect children from the local schools.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good and effective for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). A well planned daily routine ensures all children enjoy their time with the childminder and make progress in their learning. Good partnerships with parents and a commitment to liaise with other providers delivering the EYFS to the children ensure that their needs are met effectively. All policies and procedures are inclusive and implemented successfully to promote children's welfare. The childminder continually endeavours to improve her knowledge and practice in most areas to provide a good quality of provision to all children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 improve the use of information gathered from records of observation and assessment of children to plan the next steps in learning  promote the good health of children particularly in reference to hygiene of toys and equipment  take reasonable steps to minimise hazards to children, with particular reference to the drain in the back garden.

p.3

provision

The childminder is dedicated to making continuous improvements in order to provide quality care and education to children. She has attended a number of relevant courses since the last inspection, and targets have been adopted to further improve the provision and outcomes for children. Planning includes liaise This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on with nursery staff for any prospective child. All policies and procedures are under continual review, and information is shared with parents. The complaints procedure and children’s records are well maintained and readily available for inspection and for parents. Information is exchanged with parents about their child at admission and on an ongoing basis. Children’s progress towards the early learning goals is shared with parents verbally on a daily basis and regularly through documentation. This contributes to parents becoming involved in their

p.3

provision

Children are protected from harm or neglect, as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. All adults within the provision have undergone the effective vetting procedures. This ensures adults are suitable to have regular contact with children. The childminder promotes a working partnership with parents to safeguard children through sharing comprehensive policies and procedures. A thorough risk assessment of the premises and of prospective outings and daily safety checks are carried out in most areas to eliminate hazards, although a drain in the garden is not safely covered. There is a good procedure to protect children from the spread of infection, as arrangements are in place to exclude children who have any infectious illnesses. However, hygiene practices for keeping children’s toys and equipment clean are not optimum. This potentially

p.4

provision

compromises children’s safety and health.

p.4

provision

Toys and resources are deployed well to provide free choice and encourage children's independence to participate and learn alongside their peers, including different age groups and genders. Children’s individual interests, learning styles and ages are taken into account in the planning of activities. Currently there are no children attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, the childminder is able to demonstrate that she has a good awareness of how to support such children. She has attended relevant courses such as ‘Awareness of Inclusion’ and ‘Autism awareness’. To help children to understand and respect the values of others, a good selection of resources is available depicting positive images of diversity. At their pre-school groups, children have opportunities to mingle with children from minority ethnic groups and to celebrate different festivals all through the year, create linking art work and taste oriental foods.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are contented and confident in familiar surroundings, as the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. They are well settled, as they play happily in the secure environment with self-selected toys. Good maintenance and organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use the resources imaginatively and follow their natural curiosity as learners. Children are provided with good play opportunities to help them make progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder has set up a system to maintain children's individual profiles, though her observations and assessments of their play are not sufficiently followed through to help her plan activities towards next steps in learning. Nevertheless, she plans purposeful play and a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to use phonic knowledge to read and write simple words and their own names. They extend their vocabulary by sharing their thoughts and experiences. Older children use speech to explore real and imagined situations, as the childminder engages them as partners in conversation. Regular visits to the local library to attend story sessions and routine activities such as singing nursery rhymes, reading stories and making marks enhance children’s communication skills. They enjoy and repeat words and phrases while listening to stories like ‘Splash’. Children use imagination and express thoughts whilst using a good range of art materials to develop their creative skills such as drawing a spider with a number of legs and eyes. Children also attend music and art and crafts sessions at their library. A range of musical instruments, listening to music, role play and texture experiences including play dough, finger painting and water play support

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children demonstrate a developing understanding of numbers and shapes through daily routines, play and number games. They refer to personally relevant numbers like their sibling’s or their own ages. They use some number language such as ‘big’, ‘small’ and ‘tall’ while building a tower. Children expand their simple calculation skills and learn about differences in size and pattern during role play and planned activities. They are supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding will help them to make sense of the world and environment. They regularly walk for exercise and to learn about the countryside and have been involved in topic activities including farm animals. Children enjoy feeding the chickens at the childminder’s house, learn how to take care of them and how they benefit humans. They acquire basic skills in operating simple equipment to develop their understanding of how technology can help them in their everyday lives.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Most aspects of children’s health are promoted appropriately. They enjoy a good range of both indoor and outdoor physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They go out in the fresh air most days, play regularly at their local park and take part in physical play at their pre-school groups. The resources in the back garden provide sufficient challenge for a varied age group. This ensures they understand the benefit of exercise. They enjoy freshly made sandwiches and nutritious meals. Fresh fruits and drinking water are available and accessible throughout the session. Children are confident and make a positive contribution in the setting, as all enthusiastically take part in self-chosen activities. They are all well behaved and have a good awareness of right and wrong, responding positively to directions from the childminder. They happily support the younger children and help the childminder to tidy up toys, feeding the chickens and helping

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

at snack times. 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? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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