Childminder, Out-of school day care in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY383210 Inspection date 17/09/2009 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

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 2008. She lives with her partner and three children in Walsall. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. There is a step up to the front entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding nine children, five of whom are within the early years 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 escorts children to and from the local primary school and is a member of a 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 happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy participating in a range of age appropriate activities and various outings and make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder has formed positive partnerships with parents and other practitioners, ensuring that children experience continuity and consistency in their care. Children are safe and secure and protected through, generally effective procedures and everyday practices. Children feel valued and included because the childminder ensures that routines and activities are provided so that all children are able to fully participate. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous 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 (Promoting the good health of children) 24/09/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further methods of observation and assessment and link these to planning in order to ensure that children progress to the next steps of learning and development at a pace suitable to their individual needs  review systems for risk assessments; this specifically refers to outings  ensure that the daily record of children looked after is accurately maintained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She has an appropriate awareness of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and of the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. Positive steps have been taken by the childminder in order to safeguard children and to promote their welfare. Children have access to the ground floor of the childminder's home where they can rest, play and eat in comfort and gain easy access to the well equipped garden. The childminder supervises children at all times and uses appropriate safety equipment including a fire guard, corner protectors, cupboard locks and gates to limit children's access to potential risks in the home. Although, the childminder carries out regular risk assessments of all areas accessed by children, these are not always formally recorded for all outings. Children have access to a variety of resources, play opportunities and activities

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the early years provision

which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity, serving a diverse community.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and professional skills by accessing training and liaising with other childminders to share good practice. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards improvement and has identified most strengths and weaknesses. As a result, she has addressed the actions raised at the last inspection by introducing an effective registration system, devising a range of written policies and procedures, which are appropriately implemented within her daily routine; carries out regular risk assessments; attended Early Years Foundation Stage training and has started to implement a system for planning, observations and assessments of children’s learning and development. However, children's hours of attendance are not recorded on a daily basis to ensure their safety is fully protected.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs, encouraging a two-way exchange of information through daily discussions and the sharing of photographs, samples of work and brief observations. Children’s records are openly shared with parents and their contribution valued. Most of the required written parental consents have been obtained. However, consent to seek emergency medical treatment is not in place to ensure children’s wellbeing is fully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy themselves at the childminder's home and are happy and confident. They have access to a range of resources to support their play and space is used well to provide a stable environment for all children, with areas where they can independently access the toys and resources on offer. Children have formed close relationships with the childminder and each other and enjoy meeting up with other children when they attend the local park. Children are beginning to develop an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of the wider world and the childminder has a range of resources that are representative of diversity. The childminder ensures that children have opportunities to practise numeracy, literacy and communication skills from a young age. For example, a craft activity is combined with learning about mathematical concepts as the childminder encourages the children to talk about size, shape,

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and outcomes for children

colour and to practise counting when playing with play dough. Children are imaginative and make butterflies, caterpillars and people representative of their own families and their play is extended through sensitive intervention from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a suitable working knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. As a result, children make steady progress towards the early learning goals given their capability and starting points. Their progress is promoted as the childminder plans purposeful play opportunities covering all six areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. Although, the childminder is intuitive of each child's individual needs and records brief observations, she is currently reviewing the process of observation, assessment and planning to ensure that she consistently plans for the next steps in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy practical stimulating activities including cooking where they learn new skills and make connections. They develop collaborative skills and problem solving through construction play and enjoy looking at books. They use computer programmes to help them develop their knowledge of technology and how things work and enjoy using their imagination in role play. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the setting. They have daily access to the well equipped garden and confidently use the large climbing equipment and trampolines. They visit soft play centres, the library, go out for a picnic and go strawberry picking. All of which help children to have fun and further their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are valued and the childminder helps them to feel good about themselves by providing positive support, praise and encouragement, while managing behaviour well. This helps build children self-esteem. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to ensuring children's needs are met. For example, she works in partnership with parents, gaining useful information about children's starting points to inform her practice and to ensure that the children remain interested and stimulated. Children develop a sound understanding of how to stay safe when the childminder talks to them about road safety and reminds them to use the trampoline and outdoor equipment sensibly. The childminder helps children to follow clear personal hygiene routines, praising them for washing their hands independently and explaining that these routines help to prevent them from becoming unwell. Children benefit from a range of healthy snacks and freshly

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and outcomes for children

prepared meals and meal times are relaxed, social occasions when children sit together to enjoy each others company. 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 3 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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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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