Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY337268 Inspection date 01/10/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

p.1

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 08456 404040, 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.

p.1

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

p.2

T: 08456 404040 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

p.2

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.3

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.3

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Warwick. The property is in a residential area close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Most of the house is used for childminding, with the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder uses her detailed knowledge of the children, gained through promoting positive relationship with parents, to support their individual needs effectively. The environment, both within the premises and the local community, is fully utilized to provide diverse learning experiences for all ages. As a result children are making at least good progress in their learning and development, all aspects of their welfare are well promoted and all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are met. The childminder is well organised and continues to reflect on her own practise regularly so that she has a good understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. Her future plans demonstrate a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement to outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop assessment records to clearly show that individual children are making progress in all areas of learning.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is confident in her knowledge of how to safeguard children having attended additional training recently. She is vigilant about all aspects of their personal safety, including protecting them from cross infection. Effective risk assessments, covering all areas of the premises, outings and some activities help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect children from potential hazards and include daily monitoring of some aspects to ensure children stay safe. Relevant policies are up-to-date, shared with parents and reflect the childminder's commitment to promoting safety and health. All documentation necessary for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS are in place and well maintained so that confidentiality is assured. The childminder makes effective use of the setting to provide children with ample play space, good access to the garden and separate facilities to provide for their care needs, such as

p.4

the early years provision

toileting or sleeping. Resources are linked to their themes and rotated around so that children can easily access relevant books and toys. Excellent use is made of facilities within the locality, such as the library, various parks and places of interest to broaden children's experiences. The childminder acted upon the recommendation made at her last inspection and ensured that appropriate measures were put into place after she moved premises. She has used her self- evaluation effectively to highlight areas for improvement and shows her commitment to improve outcomes for children and her own knowledge by recently embarking on a childcare qualification.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity through her practise, ensuring that all children partake in activities, that individual needs are considered in her planning and that they have access to positive images of diversity in her resources. A welcoming service is provided for all children and their families. Parents are provided with detailed information about the childminder, her policies and procedures, a daily record of their care routines, the activities their child engages in and their progress. In return they update the childminder regularly, discuss any concerns affecting their child in confidence and ensure that she has information about their child's routines and any medical information with necessary consents for treatment. Partnerships are being developed with other settings that some of the children attend, and the childminder has accessed specialist medical training to enable her to meet children's individual needs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children engage in a wide variety of activities which provide them with opportunities to learn across all areas of development and as a result they achieve well. Outdoor role-play around shopping, for example, involves handling of small pieces of money, discussion about what to buy and use of realistic props such as a till. Children paint with water, also outside and visit the library to choose books connected to their topic of food and harvest. The childminder plans some of these experiences weekly in advance according to the next steps she has identified for individuals, but allows flexibility to follow what the children get engrossed in and so providing for effective learning and development. There is always a balance of activities, some indoor, others outside or in groups, some adult initiated but mostly child-led with the children driving their own learning. The childminder constantly observes and provides support when needed. She maintains ongoing assessments

p.5

and outcomes for children

of the children's achievements alongside her planning, with some of this information then transferred into individual diaries. It is evident that the overall activities provide opportunities to learn in all areas, but the current format does not clearly show that individual children have done so to enable the childminder to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 track their progress.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children very much enjoy time with the childminder, many parents commenting that they do not want to go home. They are comfortable in their relationships with the childminder and others attending and feel safe in the child friendly environment. They are encourage to start taking some risks, such as on the climbing frame, but under close supervision. The childminder ensures that taking part in fire drills and regular routines for outings enhances their understanding of keeping themselves safe. Child learn to adopt healthy lifestyles through daily access to fresh air and a variety of physical play. They adopt excellent personal hygiene routines which are supported by the childminder's thorough understanding of how to protect them from cross infection. Children's behaviour is very good as the childminder ensures they understand what is expected of them, using praise and simple rewards to reinforce desired behaviour and dealing consistently with

p.6

and outcomes for children

any incidents that occur. As a result children learn to play together, share and take turns, developing necessary skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8