Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201109 Inspection date 26/11/2009 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 Rugby with her husband and two teenage daughters. There is also a lodger living in the home. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home 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 a total of five children in this age group. Children attend for a variety of sessions. She also offers care to children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Montessori Teaching Diploma. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Montessori Early Years UK. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds. The family has a dog, a rabbit and several chickens.

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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 at the heart of all that happens in the setting. They are provided with high quality care and make excellent progress in their learning and development within a fully inclusive environment. Their individual needs are extremely well-met as important information is regularly exchanged between the childminder and parents, enabling the childminder to understand and accurately meet each child’s personal requirements. Warm relationships are very evident and children are flourishing in the supportive and homely environment. The childminder shows a very strong commitment to continuous improvement and good systems are in place for self-evaluation.

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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 self-evaluation methods to help identify the strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children. 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 extremely well-safeguarded. Safety is prioritised and the childminder has comprehensive systems in place to identify and minimise potential risks. She demonstrates an excellent awareness of child protection procedures and has attended specific training in this respect. She shares her safeguarding policy and procedures with parents and this means that they are clear with regards to her role and responsibilities in protecting children. All adults in her home are suitably vetted and children are not left unsupervised in the care of adults who have not been suitably checked.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates, through her infectious enthusiasm and professionalism, that each child is valued and special. She has exceptionally high aspirations for quality and uses continual reflective practice to help focus on any areas for improvement and achieve her aims. She has completed the Ofsted self- evaluation form and recognises that through the development of her reflective practice, children's welfare and learning can be further enhanced. Recommendations raised at her last inspection have been fully addressed and a variety of improvements have been made to help further improve outcomes for children. For example, the garden has been redesigned to include raised beds for children to grow flowers and vegetables and the childminder has introduced questionnaires to gain parental views in respect of the service she provides.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification and uses her significant knowledge and experience to successfully enhance children's welfare and learning. She has accessed a wealth of relevant training and regularly meets with other professionals to discuss and share good practice. The childminder is very organised and all required documentation is in place. Children have ample space to play and rest and indoor and outdoor space is thoughtfully utilised to maximise children's learning and play opportunities. Children enjoy easy access to high quality resources and these effectively suit their needs, interests and abilities.

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the early years provision

Children benefit immensely from the strong partnership that the childminder has established with their parents and other settings that they attend. Regular two-way communication successfully promotes children's welfare and ensures continuity of care for all children. Parents are provided with high quality information about their children's welfare, progress and the childminder’s service. Written policies are clear and comprehensive and they accurately reflect the childminder’s effective and inclusive practice. Photographs, examples of children's work and shared observations successfully inform parents of their child’s experiences and progress. This information is put into what children refer to as their ‘All about me’ books and these books are cleverly used by the childminder to help children recall past events and stimulate their conversation and further learning. 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 cared for in a very safe and supportive environment. Warmth and affection is freely given and contributes greatly to children's sense of well-being. Children relish their time in her care and are having fun. They are happy to go to the childminder for comfort, reassurance and support and she has a very calm and approachable manner. Her home is very clean and routinely reinforced good hygiene practices help to protect children’s health and contribute to their understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious food and are actively involved in growing a range of produce in the childminder’s garden. They learn about what a plant needs to thrive and grow and taste the harvested fruit and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making exceptional progress in all areas of learning and are extremely confident. They benefit greatly from the vast range of resources at their disposal and the child-friendly environment that helps them to feel at home and secure. Resources are safe and developmentally appropriate and include those that help children to develop an awareness of themselves and others. The childminder demonstrates a superb understanding of how children learn. She cleverly reinforces health and safety issues, together with positive behaviour and attitudes through everyday conversation and experiences. For example, children understand that they need to respect and show consideration for others and property, and good manners are evident. Road safety is practised and reinforced on outings and participation in regular emergency evacuation drills means that everyone is very clear about what they have to do in the event of a fire.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has very high expectations for children and skilfully ensures that experiences match their individual interests and abilities but also provide sufficient challenge to help them make the most progress. Children learn at their own pace and make truly independent choices about their play and learning. The childminder allows children to explore and learn for themselves but skilfully intervenes when it is necessary or beneficial. Children are active and inquisitive learners because the childminder asks open-ended questions to extend their thinking and she encourages them to come up with solutions to problems. They experience technology as they use resources such as a digital camera and interactive toys and they practise and refine everyday skills as they thread beads, draw and use scissors.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident and self-assured. They benefit from a vast range of activities and experiences enjoyed both inside and outside the home. Children regularly go on outings, for example, to local parks, farms and community groups. This broadens their horizons, enhances their social skills and helps them to develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of the wider community. They play outside on a daily basis and are learning about nature, alongside gaining plenty of physical exercise and fresh air. The childminder knows the children in her care really well and knows how to make learning fun. She observes children during play and carefully uses what she has seen to plan children's next steps and inform their progress records. She expertly builds on what children already know and can do This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and cleverly supports them to progress and learn. Older children help the younger

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and outcomes for children

ones and responsibility is encouraged. Praise for good behaviour, achievement and effort is readily given and children thrive as a result. 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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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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