Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201644 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 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.

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

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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

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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

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.

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and adult child in the Brookfield area of Bilton, on the outskirts of Rugby. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for minding and the location is convenient for schools, park and shops. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for play. The family has two goldfish and two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 group. She is currently minding nine children, six of whom, are within this age group. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. 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 attends several groups each week and regularly takes children on outings. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and content in the childminder's care. They enjoy participating in a variety of activities and outings and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder fosters positive partnerships with parents and other practitioners, ensuring that children experience continuity and consistency in their care. Children are safe and secure and well protected through thorough procedures and everyday practices. Children feel valued and included because the childminder ensures that routines and activities are planned so that all children are able to fully participate. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation and assessment arrangements to ensure that all areas of learning are sufficiently covered.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has effective arrangements in place which are robust and effectively managed for identifying any child at risk of harm. The childminder is aware of her roles and responsibilities in relation to child protection and demonstrates a good understanding of procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. Children have formed good relationships with the childminder and feel happy and secure. There are good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures to ensure children are collected only by authorised people, for example, passwords are used when necessary for extra protection. The childminder ensures children are supervised at all times and has assessed potential risks and put procedures and practices in place to minimise these at all times. She regularly carries out risk assessments of the areas accessed by children and for all

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a good range of written policies and procedures to ensure children’s welfare, care and learning is promoted. All of which are effectively implemented into her daily routine. The required written parental consents have been obtained; ensuring children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. The childminder works very closely with parents, other childminders and the local school to meet children's individual needs. Parents have clear information about the service offered and their child's progress through daily diaries, and discussions. The excellent relationships between the childminder and parents are honest, open and trusting. This helps ensure children are settled and secure. Parents are regularly asked for feedback and suggestions and any comments are acted upon if necessary. Parents are very appreciative of the level of care that their children receive. They particularly commend the way their

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the early years provision

children settle and the difference the childminder has made to their children's confidence. Space and resources are used well to support children's play and provide a stable environment for all children. Children access a good range of toy and activities, several of which provide positive images of diversity. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity to ensure children are supported to participate in all aspects of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows commitment towards her own personal development and holds a relevant child care qualification and improves her knowledge by attending training courses and workshops to improve her knowledge. She demonstrates a clear sense of purpose and direction and has implemented robust arrangements to monitor and evaluate her practice. As a result, she has identified the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and has addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection by introducing a record for complaints made by parents, which they can see on request and has reviewed the procedures for recording accidents to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a welcoming and child-friendly learning environment and are confident in initiating their own learning. They freely choose what they want to do and spend time forming strong relationships with the childminder and each other. Children are valued and the childminder helps them to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement while managing their behaviour very well; this helps build children’s self-esteem. Children are learning to respect each other and to share their favourite toys and resources. For example, they sit well together looking at books and have good opportunities to make marks and develop their early writing skills. They enjoy using their imagination in role play and willingly wait their turn to use the role play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are engaged and keen to join in all activities and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They benefit from planned, purposeful play, both in and outdoors. For example, they eagerly use musical instruments and the childminder encourages them to try out new skills such as blowing into the recorder. Children's learning is further enhanced as the childminder readily gets down to their level to interact with them, asking questions which encourage them to develop their thinking and consolidate their learning. Children develop collaborative skills and problem solving through construction play and are given time to develop their interests, enabling them to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. For example, they are developing skills in the use of programmable and electronic toys. Children have lots of opportunities to be active and enjoy using computer games, wheeled toys and joining in ball games. Children

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and outcomes for children

also benefit from activities out side the home. They visit the park and local playgroup where they get plenty of robust physical exercise using smaller and larger climbing equipment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has given good consideration to implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage and has introduced suitable planning and observations systems. These include the use of photographs, samples of children work and written observations, although these systems are yet to be consolidated and evaluated to ensure all areas of learning are sufficiently covered. Parents provide information about children's starting points likes and dislikes and the childminder uses this to ensure children remain stimulated and interested. The childminder adopts an embracing approach to inclusion and welcomes all children to her setting. Children have good opportunities to learn about diversity as they have access to a range of positive images resources, including books, puzzles, role play and dolls.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of how to stay safe through themes and discussions about road safety. They learn about fire safety and know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency which the childminder regularly practises with them. The childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines, praising them for washing their hands independently. Children are offered a range of healthy snacks and nutritious home-cooked food and are helped to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. Drinks are readily available to ensure children remain hydrated throughout the day. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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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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