Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY308169 Inspection date 12/03/2010 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and five years in Staffordshire, close to shops, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a cat, goldfish and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. All children attend on a full-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends pre-school groups.

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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

Most policies and procedures are implemented to ensure continuity of care and learning, and an effective capacity to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder has detailed knowledge of the children's interests and abilities, which ensure their individuality is well-recognised and respected. There is a working partnership with parents and the childminder has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that children make good progress in their learning. The childminder identifies aspects of her service that she would like to extend and develop. She monitors her service by comparing and sharing ideas with other childminders and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision, regarding who has legal contact with the child, and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 26/03/2010

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further?

 ensure the daily record of attendance is accurate(Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 26/03/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use assessment to plan the next steps in a child’s developmental progress to ensure each child receives appropriate support  review the risk assessment to include hygiene, cleanliness and minimising the risk of cross infection, with regards to hand washing procedures and to make sure the fire blanket is fitted to ensure effective operation.

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the early years provision

The childminder currently attends training courses to extend and enhance her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is clear about safety issues and ensures children are safe and secure, both inside and outside the home. The childminder conducts visual daily safety checks and the detailed risk assessments are regularly reviewed and clearly recorded. However, the daily record of attendance does not record the actual arrival and departure times of the children to fully ensure children's safety in an emergency evacuation. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection issues and how to report her concerns. The childminder has ensured that all adults living on the premises are suitable to have contact with children. She has developed close partnerships with parents, to share information to safeguard children. However, she is still to record who has parental responsibility and legal

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service for children and their families. She has sufficient knowledge of how to support children who have specific needs and of how to seek additional help for children. The childminder ensures children make significant progress and enjoy individual support to enhance their learning experience. However, the childminder is to further develop methods to assess the children's next steps in their learning and to discuss with parents in order to promote stimulation and progression. Parents are provided with daily written and verbal information on their children, and they have open access to the children's 'Record' folders.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a determination to maintain and improve her childminding service, and has arranged to attended training in food hygiene and child protection. Her understanding of self-evaluation allows her to monitor her strengths and weaknesses to focus on the most significant areas for improvement in order to provide consistently good outcomes for children. For example, the childminder is to increase her resources and extend and improve her record keeping. In addition, the childminder is to further improve her service by reviewing her practice for hand washing and ensuring the risk of cross contamination is minimised. The fire blanket is to be fitted to ensure effective operation. The childminder provides the children with a range of challenging and exciting experiences and activities. She has good quality resources and ensures that the environment is stimulating, warm and welcoming. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children's confidence grows as they enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. They are provided with exciting experiences and individual support, which helps them develop a positive sense of themselves. Children are involved in the local community and visit pre-school groups to socialise and learn to respect diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Their personal independence is developing as the childminder encourages children to take care of their own personal needs, such as making choices on resources and toilet-training. The childminder joins in with the children's play and asks them enquiring and understandable questions. The varied range of resources are freely available and stored at a low level, including books which are chosen to read as part of daily activities. Children make strong progress and celebrate their achievements with praise and applause. The childminder uses daily routines to extend the children's learning experiences, such as walking in the woods to collect leaves, twigs and stones.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to make decisions and select their own toys and activities. They use them imaginatively as part of their play. For example, the children become absorbed when placing the play figures inside the castles and dressing-up as princesses. Children are taught to understand the importance of keeping safe and respect the inside and outside safety rules, such as no jumping on furniture and practising 'The Green Cross Code'.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy outings, frequent walks to and from school, groups and nursery to develop their sense of well-being and physical skills. Regular outside play in the rear garden provides opportunities to use the swing, a slide, trampoline and see- saw. Their developing understanding is extended by linking a healthy lifestyle by helping to prepare healthy snacks and meals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative and make shapes and models with the play dough and cutters. They move rhythmically to music and join-in with songs together with actions and comical expressions. They operate the push button interactive toys and laugh loudly as they discover their 'big' eyes with magnifying glasses.

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and outcomes for children

Children's enthusiasm and self-esteem grow as they are praised and thanked for kind, helpful behaviour and achievements. They are rewarded with stickers, smiles and hugs and taught to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They are learning skills for the future as they practise early numeracy, communication and literacy skills in free play and daily routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children are assessed when they are placed with the childminder to ascertain their starting points. This is done by discussion with parents. Progress is monitored by observations in daily diaries which are used to inform parents of their children's activities and progress. Children have frequent opportunities to extend their understanding of the society in which they live, through visits, discussion, stories and increasing their awareness of culture and minority groups. 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 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 26/03/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 26/03/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 26/03/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 26/03/2010

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