Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 268348 Inspection date 13/01/2010 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 since 2001. She lives in Bedworth with her husband and children aged 19, 16 and 12 years. The childminder works with an assistant and is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding purposes and 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

When working alone, 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. When working with her assistant the childminder may care for a maximum of four children in the early years age range. She is currently minding a total of three children in this age group. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled and make good progress as they take part in an extensive range of interesting and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. Resources are deployed exceptionally well and children's health, safety and appreciation of themselves and others are promoted very successfully. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs known and met. The childminder effectively engages and works in partnership with parents and others and this ensures consistency and continuity for children. Current systems for self-evaluation, planning, observation and assessment are not yet fully effective but the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the record of risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 20/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will help improve the quality of provision for all children  develop records of learning and development and improve strategies for analysing observations to help plan 'what next' for individuals and groups of children and for involving their parents in observation and assessment.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and affords safety a high priority. A sound safeguarding policy supports her practice and a combination of thoughtful consideration, daily checks and written risk assessments ensure that potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised. Documentation to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting is generally well maintained. However, the childminder has omitted to include required detail within her risk assessment record. Consequently, it is unclear as to when assessments are carried out or due for review and who actually carried out these assessments. A comprehensive selection of written policies and procedures help to support her practice and inform parents. These work well in practice and ensure that the diversity of individuals is valued and respected.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very enthusiastic about what she does and is committed to improvement. A recommendation raised at her last inspection, in respect of completing a first aid course, has been fully addressed. The childminder employs an assistant and together they form an excellent team, working hard to enhance the service provided for children and their families. They have attended a variety of relevant training and regularly network with other childcare professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and is constantly assessing what she provides and how it could be improved. However, systems for doing so successfully are not fully developed and do not effectively take into account the views of others. Consequently, her ability to effectively identify her own strengths and plans for improvement that will have the most impact on outcomes for children are somewhat impeded.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder has formed excellent relationships with them and their parents. She exchanges lots of information with parents about individual children’s welfare and development and regularly sends home examples of children's artwork and photographs of the children involved in play. She regularly collects and sends home leaflets and information for parents that cover a range of issues including safety, healthy eating and community events. Parents comment very positively on the service provided by the childminder.

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the early years provision

Some of the children in the childminder’s care also attend a local nursery and the childminder is actively fostering relationships with staff at this setting. This enables her to plan and implement experiences to complement and support children's learning and development when they are in her care. She has helped children to settle at the nursery and she regularly chats to them about the things they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 done and enjoyed there. Children flourish in the childminder's care. The extremely well-organised, attractive and welcoming environment that she provides creates an atmosphere that is conducive to both learning and having fun. Children's independence and freedom of choice is effectively supported because resources are plentiful and a comprehensive selection is easily accessible to them. The childminder makes extensive use of local community facilities and loans additional

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the early years provision

resources to enhance children's learning and add variety to their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points and relish their time with the childminder. This is because the childminder knows them very well and works alongside their parents to provide children with a vast array of experiences that help to meet their individual needs and excite and interest them. She regularly observes children and has begun to record and assess what she sees. She talks to parents and children to gain their views and uses what she has seen and heard to help inform her daily planning. However, current methods for planning, observation and assessment are not yet fully effective and parents are not actively invited to contribute to children's learning and development records. Consequently, children may not always be effectively challenged and/or supported to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy easy access to a vast array of resources and equipment and they make lots of independent choices about their play and learning. The walls of the playroom are adorned with posters, photographs and examples of children's work and these help the children to develop a sense of belonging and feel valued and at ease in the setting. Children are happy to go to either the childminder or her assistant for comfort, reassurance and support and they display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They readily communicate their needs and desires and the childminder fosters the skills they will need in the future through plenty of interaction and teaching them to be independent and inquisitive. Children's good behaviour and effort is readily acknowledged and they show an excellent understanding of what standards of behaviour are expected and how to apply these to keep themselves and others safe. They know that they must sit on chairs

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and outcomes for children

properly to prevent themselves from falling and they help to tidy away toys after use so that they do not pose a hazard to others or become damaged. Safety is afforded a very high priority and children are taught to protect themselves through everyday experiences and a variety of thoughtfully planned activities. For example, they learn about road safety on outings and this is vigorously reinforced through role play, discussion and regular practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s good health is extremely well promoted as they enjoy regular access to the outdoors, take part in lots of physical exercise and enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They show through their actions and comments that they understand the need for good hygiene and all areas of the childminder's home are very clean. Children regularly visit local community groups and the library and this broadens their range of experiences and helps to develop their confidence and social skills. The childminder and minded children attend sessions at a local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's centre and they recently participated in 'Little Chef' sessions where children are given the opportunity to cook a range of healthy and nutritious dishes using a range of ingredients. Children demonstrate a developing respect for themselves and others. This is fostered through their participation in a variety of

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and outcomes for children

activities that explore various religious and cultural festivals and customs and their easy access to a range of resources that portray positive images of diversity. 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 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 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 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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