Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330374 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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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 2006. She lives with her husband, one adult child and a grandchild aged 15 months in Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom in the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. Access to the property is on the ground floor.

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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 range. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in the age group. She also cares for three children aged from five years to 11 years. All children attend on a part- time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and attends pre- school groups.

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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

The childminder has sound knowledge of the children's home circumstances, interests and abilities, which ensures their individuality is recognised and respected. Developing partnerships with parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure that children make satisfactory and in some cases good progress in their learning. The childminder has started to identify aspects of her service that she would like to improve by monitoring and evaluation of her practice and attending training. Most policies and procedures are implemented to promote satisfactory continuity of care and learning. The improvements recommended at her last inspection have been achieved and contribute towards her ability to maintain 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?

 ensure all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that hazards of chemicals stored at low level in the kitchen area are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 07/10/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the planning of activities covers the six areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure the observation and assessment records are monitored and evaluated to show children's progress over time.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection issues. The comprehensive policy has procedures on how to report her concerns. Children's learning and care is soundly promoted because the childminder has attended various training courses to increase her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has worked to develop strong partnerships with parents to share information to safeguard children. Children are safe and secure both inside and outside the home as she is vigilant about safety issues and conducts risk assessments which are clearly recorded and reviewed. However, the risk assessment does not yet cover the chemical cleaners stored at low level in the kitchen.

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the early years provision

The childminder is proactive in offering an inclusive service for children and their families. She has attended specialist medical training to offer support to a child with a particular medical condition. The childminder is successful in making sure all children make satisfactory progress and are provided with individual support to enhance their learning experience. The children in the Early Years Foundation Stage age range also attend the local nursery on a part-time basis. The childminder is developing a system to form an effective partnership with the nursery in order to promote continuity and progression. The partnership with parents is good as information is shared on a daily basis and parents have open access to the children's development files. Parents read and sign to indicate they have read all policies and procedures when their children are placed with the childminder. They are invited to comment on the service and write thank you

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the early years provision

letters to the childminder. One parent wrote 'I couldn't have asked for anything more for my children'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve her childminding service and has recently attended training in first aid and safeguarding children. Her self-evaluation form clearly identifies her strengths and weaknesses, which enables her to focus on the most significant areas for improvement in order to provide consistently good outcomes for children. The childminder provides the children with a broad range of challenging experiences which are built in to daily routines. She has an extensive range of good quality resources and ensures the environment is stimulating, warm and welcoming. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's confidence grows as they are provided with experiences and support which helps them develop a positive sense of themselves. Children are happy and content and enjoy the time they spend with each other and the childminder. They regularly visit the local children's centre to socialise and learn to respect diversity. Their language is expanding as the childminder interacts, asks them understandable questions and explains how to use resources. Books are freely available and chosen to read as part of free play, currently a favourite book is 'You choose'. The childminder skilfully ensures daily routines are fully utilised to extend the children's learning experiences. The children are taught to know how to keep safe as they practise their road safety and wear high- visibility jackets when out walking.

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and outcomes for children

Children have easy access to resources as they are stored at low level for self- selection. They confidently choose their own activities and help to put away when they have finished playing. Children understand the importance of house-rules such as holding onto the banisters when using the stairs and taking part in impromptu fire drills. They enjoy riding bicycles, dancing and using large equipment in the nearby park to develop their sense of well-being and physical skills. Personal hygiene is actively promoted by the childminder as she ensures the children progress to independence with personal needs, for example, washing their hands before meals and brushing their teeth after eating. Their understanding is further extended by linking a healthy lifestyle to eating a balanced diet and cooking activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative and readily draw and 'write'. They use various materials to make collages and flower pictures. A favourite activity is role play accompanied by dressing-up as doctors and nurses. The puppet theatre is adapted to use as a shop together with an interactive electronic shopping trolley. The childminder and children sing together and often use musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Children's enthusiasm and confidence grows as they are praised and thanked for kind, helpful behaviour. They are rewarded with stickers for good behaviour and achievements. Children are encouraged to work as a group, to share and take turns. In this way they are learning to work out problems and solutions. Children can count meaningfully up to twenty and use their knowledge to count the stairs as they go up and down. They compare size and shape as they do jigsaws and use comparative language such as 'too big' and 'much longer'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are regularly assessed by the childminder to ascertain their preferences and preferred learning methods. This is done by discussion with parents and observations of the child. Progress is also monitored by some observations which are used to inform the next steps. However, individual planning to ensure all six areas of learning are fully covered is not yet in place to show where further support is required. In addition, a system for monitoring and evaluation of activities is still to be implemented to illustrate children's progress over time and to make detailed reports to parents. Children attend nursery for part of the day and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy taking examples of their art work to show to their teacher. Children develop skills for the future through an expanding understanding of the society in which they live, discussion, stories and increasing their awareness of various cultures and

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and outcomes for children

minority groups. 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 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 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report ( Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 07/10/2009

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