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

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Unique reference number EY371729 Inspection date 05/08/2009 Inspector Janette Elizabeth Owen

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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 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged one year and two years in Ludlow, Shropshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range when working alone. She may care for four children under eight, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range when working with an assistant. She is currently minding two children in this age group. 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 is a member the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Partnerships with parents and other practitioners involved in the children’s care and education ensure that children’s learning and welfare needs are understood. The childminder uses information provided by parents to ensure she is able to meet the individual needs of the children. A balance of free-play and adult directed activities both indoors and outside enables children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Most procedures are in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted effectively. The childminder has evaluated some aspects of her practice and future plans are likely to bring about improvement to the provision. However, the childminder's self-evaluation is not fully effective in identifying weaknesses referred to in the report.

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further?

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

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further?

 assess the risks to children in relation to the greenhouse and take action to minimise these  develop the educational programme for children’s knowledge and understanding of the world by providing opportunities and practical activities that enable them to improve their understanding of their own culture and beliefs and those of other people  improve the organisation of the setting to include ongoing effective procedures to evaluate the provision and implement areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding 07/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and promoting children's welfare).

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provision

The childminder has satisfactory arrangements in place to ensure children are safe and well cared for. However, the childminder has committed an offence caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the provider did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of child development, she holds a Higher National Certificate in Childcare and Education and uses her knowledge of how children learn and develop to provide generally good learning opportunities for children. Systems are in place to plan play and learning experiences for each child based on their interests and stage of development. The childminder has begun to make observations and record children's progress towards the early learning goals but as yet these are not fully developed.

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provision

The childminder obtains all required information from parents when a child first attends with exception of obtaining written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Consequently children's health is potentially compromised. Parents are provided with details of the activities their child is involved in and can discuss their child's day and any other information both informally through daily chats or by text or e-mail. Written details of policies and procedures are provided for parents so they are informed of how the setting operates. The childminder has in place arrangements for working in partnership with other practitioners and agencies involved in the children's care or learning. She has visited the local nursery with parents to discuss children's development in order to ensure a consistent approach is used by all involved in the children's care.

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provision

The childminder follows the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in relation to child protection. She keeps up-to-date with safeguarding procedures through training. All required checks are carried out on household members to ensure their suitability. The premises are safe and secure. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments on the premises and any outings but has not fully assessed the risk to children playing in the garden in relation to the greenhouse. Appropriate safety equipment is fitted around the home to ensure children are safe and procedures to manage accidents and for administering medication are in place. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate enabling her to administer first aid if required.

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provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate the quality of the provision. She has identified some areas for improvement but has not ensured that all specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are in place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children settle well in the childminders care. Their individual routines are respected particularly in relation to babies and activities based on their current interests are provided. For example, a child's interest in knights is encouraged to develop. The childminder provides resources, such as card and sticky tape so that the child can continue to make props to use in imaginative play. They work together to design and make a helmet which is proudly worn. A shield already made by the child is shown off and the pictures adorning the shield explained as pictures of Jedi Knights. During the activity the child is able to offer suggestions and talk about how the helmet should be made. The child's ideas are respected promoting good level of self-esteem and achievement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses initial observations and assessments to get to know children's strengths and any areas which need additional support. A high priority is currently given to promoting good social skills and behaviour management. The childminder uses positive strategies, such as consistent praise for good behaviour and reward stickers for eating meals. Children respond well and are generally well behaved and eager to please. The interaction between the childminder and children is very positive and encourages conversation. Older children use their communication and language skills confidently, asking for help when needed, offering ideas and especially during role play where conversation plays a strong role in the child's play. This enables the child to act out situations and make sense of ideas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy outside play and are developing new physical skills using the large play equipment provided. For example, older children use their developing coordination to move themselves on the swing and to climb up the steps to the slide. Children of all ages enjoy playing in the large sand pit, filling buckets with sand or exploring the texture of the wet sand. The regular access to outdoor play ensures that all children get lots of fresh air and exercise. The childminder makes good use of activities to introduce children to numbers, colours and shapes. They use construction materials and wooden blocks to build towers and structures, older children learn the names of the different shapes and are able to count confidently up to 10. For example, they recognise and name number shaped puzzle pieces and shapes. They learn simple science as they help make play dough.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are generally good opportunities for children to learn about the world in which they live and to develop skills for the future. Children help grow and tend plants in the garden, growing sunflowers and vegetables. Older children use technology equipment, such as cameras and tape recorders while younger children use push button interactive toys, which capture their interest and help them develop perceptual and spatial awareness. However, the childminder has identified a weakness in raising children's knowledge and understanding of different cultures and beliefs of other people. A limited range of resources hampers children's understanding and exploration in this area of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about safety because the childminder explains how to play safely with toys and equipment. They know that a mat placed at the bottom of the slide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 makes a safer landing. They help put away toys after play to make the play space safer. Healthy lunches and snacks provided by the childminder ensure children have sufficient food and drink to meet their needs. During meal times the childminder talks to children about healthy foods, this helps them learn what foods are good for them and what should be a treat. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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