Dale Claire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201087 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 has been registered with Ofsted since 1992. She lives in Whitestone, Warwickshire with her husband, two adult children and an adult lodger. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home, together with a bathroom on the first floor, is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step.

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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 range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends several carer and toddler groups. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a cat.

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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 make good progress and are very secure and happy in the childminder's home. The childminder has a very warm and affectionate nature and all children are included and valued. They take part in enjoyable and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development and the childminder skilfully motivates them to participate and achieve. Good partnerships with parents and other professionals ensure that children receive consistency of care and their individual needs and requirements are known and met. The childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to improve and is constantly reviewing and improving her practice, thus continually improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance understanding of reflective practice in order to confidently identify aspects of the childminding service that are done well, and those aspects that might be improved, so as to further promote good outcomes for children  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to child protection. She has recently attended child protection training and is confident of her ability to take appropriate action should she have concerns. All members of the household have been suitably vetted and children are only released into the care of known individuals. All areas of the childminder's home are safe and secure and a range of safety measures help to protect children from potential risks. Generally, all paperwork to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision is maintained well and contains appropriate detail. However, the childminder's risk assessment record is not fully effective as it does not include how she identifies and manages the potential safety risks to children whilst on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has high aspirations for quality which is evident through ongoing improvement and regular review of all aspects of her service. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and informally assesses what she provides and her own practice. However, this is not fully effective as the childminder does not have a clear understanding of reflective practice and how to successfully use the self- evaluation form. The childminder seeks and welcomes the views of parents and children and actively involves children in decisions about activities and the purchasing of additional resources. She makes good use of toy loan schemes and the local library to enhance the wide variety of resources and experiences already available to children. Consequently, their learning and enjoyment is increased.

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the early years provision

Links with parents and carers are strong and a welcoming atmosphere helps to create effective two-way communication. The childminder values the role of parents and works hard to provide consistency of care for all children. Comments received from parents include reference to the childminder's loving manner, the effective way she deals with behaviour issues and the healthy and varied diet offered to children. A positive emphasis is also placed on working with others to support children's learning and overall welfare; strong links have been fostered with local schools and other childcare professionals.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from high levels of supervision and individual attention and flourish in the childminder's care. Contingency arrangements with other childminders known to both children and parents provide children with security and help to reassure parents. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected and the childminder actively promotes equal opportunities, ensuring that all children and families feel included and safe. Policies and procedures work well in practice, are fully inclusive and reflect the childminder's positive attitude and good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points because the childminder works alongside parents and other professionals to provide them with an array of experiences that meet their individual needs and excite and interest them. She thoughtfully plans experiences so all children can take part at their own pace and level and feel valued and special. She routinely helps children with homework brought from school and frequently encourages older children to read to the younger ones, thus involving all children. The childminder regularly observes children during play to see where they are at and where she needs to move them on next and she records her findings in 'Learning Journeys' that are shared with their parents. The childminder effectively supports children with special education needs and raises the self esteem of all children through frequent praise and her positive body language.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's home because she has a very warm and nurturing manner that helps to put both children and parents at ease. Flexible settling-in procedures help children and their parents to adjust at their own pace and children enjoy a good level of interaction and support. Children are learning about how to keep themselves safe as they practise road safety on the journey to and from school and on outings. Road safety messages are also cleverly reinforced in a fun and child-friendly manner through role play, sharing books and small world play. Most children have taken part in emergency evacuation drills and all children are aware of safety rules within the home and why they are in place. For example, children know that they must not jump on the furniture because they may damage it or hurt themselves. Older children are aware of the need to play with toys with small parts away from younger children and know that small items

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They receive a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, follow good hygiene procedures and regularly engage in physical exercise. The childminder's garden has a range of equipment to support young children's physical skills, for example, wheeled toys and a small climbing frame with a slide. Also, children visit local parks where there is a range of larger play equipment and the space for them to run around and expend energy. The childminder places a strong emphasis on good manners and social skills and children enjoy regular opportunities to mix with other adults and children. For example, they attend community groups and visit other childminders.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming well equipped with the skills they will need in their future learning and are becoming active and inquisitive learners. Young children show curiosity and are learning to problem solve as they investigate shape sorters and toys that react when buttons are pressed. The childminder extends their learning through drawing their attention to the various shapes, sounds and colours and she introduces numbers and counting into children's everyday play and experiences. For example, children count as they climb the stairs, play board games and use money during role play. Children are provided with choices and learning to make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 decisions and show consideration for others. They help to raise money for charity and have recently helped to pack and send shoe boxes of useful items for the troops stationed abroad. Children are learning to appreciate differences in people

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and outcomes for children

as they look at books and use play things which reflect diversity. Various religious and cultural festivals are explored through planned activities and the childminder links with topics being covered at other settings that children attend. 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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