Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201494 Inspection date 09/10/2009 Inspector Lisa Jeffries

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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 1999. He lives with his wife and two children aged 13 and 14 years on the outskirts of Nuneaton town centre. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of a first floor bedroom. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children under eight years may attend the setting at any one time, and of these, no more than three children may be in the early years age range. The childminder works alongside his wife who is also a registered childminder. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. When working together, they may care for a maximum of ten children aged under eight years. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. There are strategies in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who are learning English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and nurseries. He is a member of an approved childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are provided with exceptionally high quality care and make strong progress in their learning and development within an inclusive environment. Their individual needs are extremely well met as important information is gathered from their parents, enabling the childminder to understand and meet each child’s personal requirements. Children develop secure relationships with each other and are relaxed, happy and confident in the childminder's care. All children are supported to actively participate in the activities offered, which are planned using information from observations and assessments. Children are safe and secure and effectively protected through comprehensive procedures and everyday practices. The childminder demonstrates an extremely positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing ways for parents to become meaningfully involved in the self- evaluation process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All of the required documentation such as personal records, policies and procedures are effectively implemented and consistently applied. Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust and carefully managed and cohesive procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm. Children's safety is prioritised and the childminder has effective systems in place to assess and minimise risks. Children play and learn in a safe, fully inclusive and homely environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder employs a delightful child-and-family approach. Links with parents and carers are strong and a welcoming atmosphere helps to create effective communication. This has a highly positive impact on children's welfare and promotes integration of care. The childminder recognises that parents have the best knowledge of the child and parents are treated as 'part of the team'. Partnerships with other providers are very well-established and there is an excellent two-way flow of information and knowledge between all partners involved with a child's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has high aspirations for quality which is evident through ongoing improvement. The recommendation raised at the last inspection to keep accident records confidential has been fully addressed. The childminder demonstrates an exceedingly positive attitude to raising standards and he is currently considering further ways to involve parents in the self-evaluation process. There is a clear and shared vision for inclusive practice and the childminder is skilled at adapting the provision to meet the changing needs of children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a lively, energetic and loving approach and is dedicated to his role. He facilitates children's learning by skilfully intervening in their play and asking questions to extend their thinking. Space is used creatively and the childminder is committed to ensuring that the needs of each child are consistently accommodated. Children benefit from high levels of supervision and individual attention and thrive in the childminder's care.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop positive dispositions to learning as they are provided with exciting opportunities and experiences. A range of different themes are incorporated and children pursue their own interests and make choices. Children have recently been learning about vegetables. They eagerly participated in food tasting sessions, grew cress and tomatoes and spotted and named different vegetables at the local shop. The childminder engaged children in discussions about healthy eating and children enjoyed an outing to the local garden centre, handling and watering plants and learning about the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Through books, children practised new vocabulary such as "bigger" and "smaller". They played games together, matching pairs of vegetables and sorting them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 according to size and colour. Children continue to consolidate their learning through role play as they pretend to cook meals and talk about their favourite vegetables. During inspection one child makes reference to eating five portions of fruit or vegetables per day to keep healthy. Learning is unquestionably fun and children regularly come across new and interesting challenges.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is focused on helping all children to make good progress and as a result all children make significant gains in their learning. Children are offered an individual approach and the childminder adapts plans and activities to meet their specific needs, abilities and interests. Parents provide information about children's starting points, likes and dislikes and the childminder skilfully uses this to ensure children remain motivated.

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and outcomes for children

Children are constantly engaged and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are confident, accomplish new skills and have fun. Positive strategies encourage children to observe good social skills, behave well and respect each other. They are offered constant praise and encouragement by the childminder who understands that this helps to foster their confidence from a young age. The childminder facilitates children's understanding of keeping healthy and staying safe.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is genuinely interested in what children say and do and he readily gets down to their level to interact with them. He responds sensitively to children's feelings, ideas and behaviour. Children are confident and self-assured and enjoy settled, close relationships. They develop a strong understanding of the wider world as they access a good range of resources that are representative of diversity. Children play in a welcoming and child-friendly learning environment which affords them plenty of space to explore. Children become independent and thrive within a supportive atmosphere. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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