Childminder in WorcestershireOfsted inspection, 2 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204571 Inspection date 02/02/2010 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 registered in 1992. She lives with her husband in Earls Common, Worcestershire. The lounge, kitchen, toilet facilities and spare bedrooms in the childminder's house are used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder provides part-time care in her home for two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She 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 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school and attends several toddler activities on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and enjoy being with the childminder. Parents really appreciate her care and support for their children and themselves. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement by broadly addressing actions from the last inspection. She has introduced appropriate policies and procedures, provided some resources to foster children's awareness of diversity and implemented suitable risk assessments. The childminder has sought advice and attended some relevant training but there remain aspects of her practice still to develop regarding record keeping, safeguarding procedures, assessment and planning and the use of self-evaluation as an effective monitoring tool.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that details are recorded regarding the address of every parent and carer who is known to the provider (Documentation) 23/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge of current Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  consolidate systems for making systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements and use these to identify their individual learning priorities and to plan and provide enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development  improve children's safety by carrying out regular evacuation drills and keep a record of these, including any problems encountered and how these are resolved  strengthen self-evaluation to more clearly identify areas for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children are satisfactorily safeguarded. The childminder has attended training and devised policies to help her protect children from harm, which she makes available to parents. However, she is not fully confident about the process of making referrals or how to respond in the event of an allegation of abuse being made, and does not have the most recent Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance to refer to. In other respects children's welfare is supported. The childminder ensures parents know how she is registered and how her and her husband's suitability is assessed. She has clear agreements with parents about children's care and education and ensures she knows who has legal contact and parental responsibility for each child. However, she does not obtain required details of parents who do not live with their children, but whom are known to her.

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the early years provision

The childminder has adequate procedures for driving improvement. Children and families very much appreciate that she gives priority to ensuring they are happy and settled and to establishing positive relationships with everyone. The childminder has attended some training and responded to advice from early years development workers and colleagues which have contributed to her, in the main, satisfactorily addressing actions from the last inspection. However, there are aspects of the childminder's provision relating to safeguarding, record keeping and children's learning and development which require further improvement. Overall her use of self-evaluation is in its infancy and is not yet fully effective in helping her to target areas for improvement and to accurately plan for her own personal development. For example, the childminder now has some suitable resources to foster children's awareness of diversity, but their effectiveness is limited because of

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the early years provision

weaknesses in planning and organising suitable activities and in assessing her own knowledge of different customs and beliefs. In other respects, children are offered a variety of toys, games and equipment, many of which they can help themselves to, and the childminder is usually involved in their play and routines.

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the early years provision

Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder recognises their interests, encourages their choices and creates a reassuring, comfortable atmosphere. She has positive relationships with parents and carers who appreciate her care and support for their children's learning. They feel well-informed about their child's progress as a result of regular discussions. The childminder's development of various written policies gives parents an understanding of her role and how she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 operates. Children also experience continuity and consistency because the childminder has generally effective relationships with providers of other settings they attend. The childminder does not currently look after any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities but she broadly understands her role to work with parents and other agencies.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being with the childminder, benefiting from the welcoming, homely atmosphere and affectionate relationships with her. Children settle well, their efforts are praised and they are able to make choices. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of children's learning and development as a result of her interactions with them and her discussions with parents. She informally observes children, but there is limited and inconsistent assessment of each child's progress. This inhibits the childminder and parents from having a clear overview of each child's development and learning priorities at any given time. This affects her ability to always plan accurately for each child, and to fully support and extend their development in all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop satisfactory skills for the future. Their independence is fostered during snack and meal times, and personal care and hygiene routines. Children generally get on well, and the childminder, in the main, effectively encourages sharing and turn taking. Children become articulate speakers and the childminder chats easily to them, helping them to talk about what they are doing, extending their vocabulary. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. Children's counting and shape and colour recognition are promoted during play and routines. They play with toys which help them to understand how things fit together and work. Regular outside activities enable them to be physically active and to explore features of the natural world. Children like to colour and draw, to play with dolls and domestic play items but their play is not always sustained, in part because of a lack of imaginative presentation of resources, toys and equipment to stimulate

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted satisfactorily. Their care, health and dietary needs are understood and met by the childminder. She has a current first aid qualification and ensures children have prompt suitable treatment if they have an accident, become unwell or need medication. The childminder keeps basic records of accidents and medication to discuss and share with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a sound awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, adopting good hygiene practices, making healthy choices about what to eat and drink and confidently take part in regular physical activities. The childminder ensures babies and children comfortably rest and sleep in accordance with their needs and routines. Children are kept safe as the premises are secure and free from hazards. They are well supervised and risk assessments are now used to effectively monitor their overall safety and to reduce risks, such as the removal of broken toys. It is clear children feel emotionally secure with the childminder. She teaches them how to manage toys and equipment correctly and to understand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about road safety. However, she has not regularly carried out and recorded fire evacuation drills to ensure she is well prepared for managing emergency situations

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and outcomes for children

with young children. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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