Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 201256 Inspection date 18/03/2010 Inspector Jan Burnet

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives in Atherstone, Warwickshire with her husband, adult son and adult daughter. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the house for outdoor play. The family has no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for six children aged under eight years at any one time and three may be in the early years age group. There are currently five children on roll and of these, one is aged over eight and three are in the early years age group . The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. She walks to a local school to take and collect children.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is strong. She promotes children's care needs well and meets their individual developmental needs effectively. The childminder ensures that all children are valued and included. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and uses this awareness to review her practice. Her commitment to continue to monitor and extend her practice within her childminding supports the development of children’s care and learning.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop systems for using observation and assessment, and information from parents, to plan next steps in learning for individual children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment and good measures are in place to promote children's health and safety. She is aware of her responsibilities with regard to supervising the children in her care. Necessary checks for herself and her family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised with a person who has not been vetted. A written risk assessment identifies how potential hazards have been identified and addressed. The childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to protecting children from abuse. She completed child protection training in 2009 and thorough written safeguarding information is provided for parents. All records are kept up-to-date and in good order. The childminder makes sure that resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are chosen for their quality and durability and that they meet the different

p.4

the early years provision

developmental needs of children well. Toys are maintained in a good state of repair.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of self-evaluation and identifies areas for improvement as improving her computer skills and developing the current systems for recording observations and assessment. The childminder has not yet completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form but her commitment to improvement is good and she consistently strives to keep her childcare knowledge up-to-date. There were two actions raised at the last inspection; to improve knowledge of current safeguarding children guidelines and procedures, and to develop children's knowledge and awareness of cultural diversity. Children's welfare and learning needs are met because both actions have been addressed well.

p.5

the early years provision

Information provided for and obtained from parents is good. Written policies include ones on safeguarding, complaints, equal opportunities, special needs, managing behaviour, a missing child and a child not collected at the agreed time. Parents are shown a portfolio containing these policies, information on the childminder and her family, police clearance details and training certificates. The childminder ensures that she continually shares information on children's achievements and shows parents their child's observation record. The childminder encourages children to gain an understanding of difference, for example she provides resources that reflect different cultures and disability and children gain an awareness of different religious and cultural festivals. In discussion, the childminder explains how she ensures that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and English as an additional language are

p.5

the early years provision

met. For example, by obtaining as much information as possible about each child's individual needs from parents and by agreeing with them how they can work together to meet these needs. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress and the childminder is clear of her responsibilities with regard to ensuring that all children are challenged effectively. The range of resources and activities meet their needs well. Children's achievements are being recorded. However, systems are not fully developed for using observation and assessment, and information from parents, to inform planning for next steps for each child over the six areas of learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Personal, social emotional development is strong. Children are happy and settled. Their independence is promoted effectively as opportunities for them to choose and select resources are good. They are encouraged to address there own personal hygiene needs. Children play cooperatively and they are learning to share and take turns. They develop social skills at parent and toddler groups and develop physical skills at home, at the park and at groups because they have access to age appropriate climbing and riding equipment. They dance and their creativity is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoted as they move imaginatively to music, play with a range of role play resources and enjoy art and craft activities. Children confidently name colours. A young child names 'violet' and the childminder asks her what colour is like violet. She very confidently says, "purple". Children sing spontaneously and say that their

p.5

and outcomes for children

favourite is the 'Dingle dangle scarecrow'. They enjoy opportunities to explore and investigate. A child decides to squeeze glue into her hands and she talks with the childminder how it feels as she squeezes her fingers together. She makes marks with her fingers on the model that she is making. Children make cakes and explore change as they mix the ingredients together.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop good manipulative skills as they play with a variety of resources that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. They mould with dough, make marks with a range of writing materials and they learn to use tools including scissors. Children speak confidently and the childminder promotes their thinking and vocabulary by asking open-ended questions. They enjoy drawing and young children are able to form enclosed shapes. A child describes the circle that she has made and she is trying to draw a square. A current focus as the childminder supports children's play is to identify different sizes. Children are making models with boxes and tubes and they talk about 'taller' and 'smaller'. They learn about size and volume as they pour water into containers of different sizes. They count as they sing songs such as, 'five little ducks' and 'five little monkeys', and they also gain an awareness of calculation as they take one away as they sing

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe environment and they are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, why they must wear reins and hold on to the pushchair when out walking, and looking and listening before and whilst crossing the road. The childminder provides healthy snacks and parents provide meals. Children understand and adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene practices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8