Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387106 Inspection date 18/11/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 two school aged children in the Bilton area of Rugby, Warwickshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and includes toileting facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and three rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the 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

The childminder has only been actively minding for a short period, but in that time has made sure that most of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are in place. She takes time to get to know the children, and their families, so that individual support is given and a positive rapport developed. As a result the children are happy and settled, with their welfare needs all met, and consideration is taken of parental wishes. Children access a broad range of activities, both within the childminder's home and the local community which enable them to progress in all areas of learning, with information about activities and care routines exchanged with parents daily. The childminder acknowledges that she has areas for development, particularly around documentation, which she demonstrates a strong capacity and willingness to improve.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these checks and any action taken; expand risk assessments to include all outings and new activities as they occur (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 02/12/2009

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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  develop the systems for sensitive observational assessments, identifying the areas of learning and what children need to do next.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded due to the childminder's understanding of her role in protecting them, issues that would cause her concern and what action she would take. Information about the procedures that would be followed as well as relevant supporting documentation, such as accurate records, are fully shared with parents. The childminder ensures the suitability of adults in the household and maintains supervision of the children at all times, particularly when on outings, with appropriate measures in place to keep children safe. Risk assessments under development highlight potential hazards to children within the premises, but they do not currently extend to outings or activities undertaken so some hazards may be overlooked. The childminder does regular checks of the identified risks, although she does not record these, nor any issues identified as a result. Within the premises the childminder effectively deploys resources to provide a suitable,

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the early years provision

child friendly environment which allows children to easily access activities while protecting them from areas such as the stairs and kitchen unless supervised closely. These include a suitable range which promote equality and diversity. The childminder strikes a good balance between activities, caring for the children's individual needs and necessary routines.

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the early years provision

The childminder has most of the necessary records, policies and procedures in place to support the implementation of the EYFS. She has begun to reflect on her practice and is able to demonstrate past actions that have resulted in effective improvement for the children, such as, the cover over the pond resulting in a safer garden. She is aware of local training opportunities and is currently considering which to access to develop her own knowledge and understanding, alongside other improvements planned for recognised weaknesses in the provision. The childminder ensures that all children attend for settling in visits to enable positive relationships to develop with the child and their family and that all necessary information is exchanged with ongoing contact maintaining these. Parents are provided with information about their child's day and encouraged to share examples of their progress and developing interests from home. The childminder is

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the early years provision

aware of the need to share information with others involved in a child's care and is actively establishing this for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from positive interaction with the childminder, for example, when playing with dough she encourages their language skills by questioning them on the colours and characters. Physical skills are further developed by getting them to put the lids back on afterwards. They demonstrate their breadth of knowledge when discussing items in a catalogue and correctly identify some letters of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 alphabet which are frequently seen in the local environment. The childminder effectively supports their learning and development by engaging in activities with the children. She also provides opportunities to find out things for themselves and follow their own ideas through independent choices, with the childminder very aware of their particular interests, which she includes in the planned activities. As a result the children have opportunities to cover all areas of learning through a

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and outcomes for children

balance of activities, although currently their assessment records do not fully reflect this, and are making satisfactory progress overall. The childminder adds regular observations to their assessments, some of which she extends to consider the next steps in learning, but this is not routinely included.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is suitably promoted. The children are settled and comfortable in the environment provided. They relate well to the childminder and members of her family, showing they feel safe. Activities, such as using the pedestrian crossing when out, are helping improve their understanding of safety. Regular access to fresh air and physical play activities enables children to benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They are also encouraged towards a healthy diet through the provision of suitable snacks and easily accessible drinks. Children's understanding of personal hygiene routines is well supported and reinforced through the childminder's robust practises, such as for nappy changing and in connection with food hygiene which help protect them from the risk of cross infection. Children obviously enjoy their learning and are encouraged to be proud of their achievements. The childminder praises good behaviour and ensures that all children are aware of the boundaries.

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and outcomes for children

As a result children's behaviour is generally good and they are developing positive habits as active, inquisitive and independent learners. 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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