Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272759 Inspection date 10/05/2010 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 since 2003, and works with another childminder and on occasions an assistant. She lives close to parks and within walking distance of local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding purposes. Children regularly visit the local park and go on walks for physical play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder transports children in a vehicle or occasionally walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local childminder groups and playgroups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has an appropriate early years qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Staffordshire Childminding Network.

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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

The childminder provides a happy, welcoming environment in which children’s welfare, learning and development is promoted with success. Lots of learning happens throughout each day and children benefit from close relationships and the high priority given to their safety. The childminder has high aspirations for what children can achieve and works exceptionally well with parents and other professionals to ensure children get the help and support they need. She is motivated, well organised and shows a commitment to making continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the first aid box has the appropriate content to meet the needs of children.

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the early years provision

There are effective procedures in place to ensure adults having access to children are suitable to do so as the childminder holds the relevant Criminal Bureau numbers for all adults. The childminder shows a good awareness of her responsibility towards safeguarding children from abuse and neglect and how to take the appropriate steps in the event of any such concerns. She maintains good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recording systems with regard to the children’s attendance, medication and accidents to ensure children’s welfare is promoted and their needs met. However, her first aid box does not contain the appropriate items to meet children's needs. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded, and security is given good attention. The childminder supervises children well and the children's care environment is safe and secure with safety equipment fitted around the home and good attention

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the early years provision

is given to making sure toys and equipment are safe. Effective and thorough risk assessments are in place, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident is maintained. This ensures any potential risks which children may come in to contact with around the home or whilst they are on outings have been sufficiently minimised. The childminder gives very high priority to ensuring children maintain a healthy lifestyle. She has excellent systems in place to ensure children's health needs are met. She effectively uses the 'Safe Food Better Premises' pack to ensure she complies with food hygiene regulations. She works closely with parents ensuring they are aware of healthy eating and the importance of children having a healthy lunch box.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Practice Guidance and she uses it well to support the children's learning and development. She has a good understanding of how to observe and assess children's progress and she uses individual profiles to show how children are developing. Through developing close relationships with the children and spending time interacting with them and observing their interactions, she knows what they like and enjoy and provides well for their interests. The childminder effectively organises her time around the needs of the children and therefore, children feel at ease in their environment. The designated play room used by the children are organised well with resources made easily accessible, giving children the freedom to freely move around and choose what to do. The childminder is motivated to seek further improvement and is beginning to focus her efforts on priorities

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the early years provision

identified. The system for self-evaluation to fully monitor her provision is fully embedded as she seeks parent’s views through the use of questionnaires. There is a commitment to bring about sustainable change through attending further training and working closely with the Network coordinator to develop her provision.

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the early years provision

Parents receive excellent information about the early years provision and all the relevant policies and procedures which are kept up-to-date about the children's achievement and progress. The sharing of information is exceptional and helps build close relationships with parents and helps her meet parents wishes and requests. Through closely working with parents the childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs and works well to meet them. She has devised daily diaries and communication books to keep parents informed about their child's progress and daily activities. She provides parents with excellent opportunities to share what their children have done and she supplies them with useful activities they can do at home. Partnerships with the school and nurseries that the children attend, helps the childminder plan for their needs and ensure the time they spend at her home compliments their day.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the friendly and well organised atmosphere of the childminder's home. They are cared for according to their individual needs and are keen, happy, confident and eager to try new things. Children play independently, as well as alongside their friends, and are becoming active and inquisitive learners. Practical life-skills are learnt as they independently wash their hands or help to put away their toys, and this ensures they develop the skills they will need in the future. Lots of learning happens throughout each day and they extend their experiences through such things as visits to parks, groups and shopping. Planning and assessment is effective and the childminder is skilled at helping children to feel a strong sense of belonging. For example, during group time they talk about relationships and how to play together nicely, share and listen to each other. Children talk confidently as they share what they know and chat happily to the

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and outcomes for children

childminder. She encourages older children to explain things clearly and understands the smiles, giggles, and body language used by babies. Children learn about nature as they observe the tadpoles swimming in a container and talk about them turning into a frog. They enjoy feeding the ducks at the local pond and learning about animals they see on visits to the pet shop or in the jungle as part of their themes.

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and outcomes for children

Children spend lots of time during the day being active as they enjoy music and movement sessions swinging their arms like elephants as they sing, 'An elephant goes like this and that'. Younger children enjoy making sounds with the musical instruments and they bang drums and shake bells as they sing-along to their favourite nursery rhymes, 'Five cheeky monkey's in a tree', or 'A snake is in the grass.' Children learn simple number problems as the count back from five to one and they count objects as they build. The childminder encourages children to develop their writing skills as they attempt to write their names on their paintings. Children are beginning to recognise their names from their dinner place mats and younger children see their names and photograph. Children enjoy books and they sit attentively listening to the story about animals having a bath. Children use their imagination well as they dress up and engage in role play with dolls and small

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the freedom of going on walks around the local area visiting the park where they are able to use large equipment and the childminder designs obstacle courses for them. This encourages children to learn to climb, slide and balance. They know how to wash their hands and show an excellent awareness of healthy eating. For example, children’s interest in food is sparked through the childminder offering them lots of fresh fruit at snack time and opportunities to taste different fruits such as mangoes. Children learn about their own and other cultures such as Jewish, Christian and Asian festivals and customs and about 'people who help us.' They enjoy visiting local groups and using the facilities at the children's centre, where they are able to socialise with their peers. 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 1 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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