Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201187 Inspection date 04/03/2010 Inspector Lisa Parkes

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and her teenage son in the Atherstone area of Warwickshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age group. The provider is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 provided with exceptional levels of care and make significant progress in their learning and development. The childminder offers a fully inclusive, warm and welcoming service, supporting all children's active participation in activities which wholeheartedly meet their individual interests and developmental needs. Children are confident, independent and unmistakably enjoy their time at the provision. The childminder is experienced, highly motivated and extremely enthusiastic. She embraces the process of self-evaluation and demonstrates a dedicated approach towards continuous improvement.

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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 the use of the outdoor play area by offering a wider range of activities which will encourage children’s interest and curiosity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a substantial, up to date understanding of safeguarding children issues. A written safeguarding children policy is in place and the childminder knows what action to take in the event of a safeguarding issue. The childminder takes extensive steps to eliminate risks. For example, risk assessments are routinely conducted and recorded. In addition, the childminder helps children to keep themselves safe by using outings as a valuable opportunity to learn about road safety. Children know what is expected of them and demonstrate a wonderful understanding of how to stay safe independently of adult prompts, for example, by using a dustpan and brush to sweep up sand. High quality interaction and extremely well-organised routines help children to become secure, confident and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settled within the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to seek further improvement and is committed to updating her professional knowledge through regular training. As a result, outcomes in relation to children’s achievement and well-being are exceptionally high. The childminder skilfully considers the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and is confident about what she needs to do to improve further. The childminder is successful in meeting and sustaining ambitious targets, for example, promoting children's knowledge and understanding of healthy lifestyles. She has wholeheartedly embraced the new framework and demonstrates a strong commitment to offering high quality childcare. The environment is stimulating, safe and very well cared for and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inclusive.

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the early years provision

Resources are excellent quality, fit for purpose and able to fully support children's learning and development. The childminder is unquestionably knowledgeable about the children in her care and highly intuitive of their needs. She is committed to ensuring that the needs of each child are fully accommodated and deftly adapts her provision to meet the needs of the children who attend. For example, by creating busy and captivating sessions for younger children and a relaxed atmosphere for children of school age. The childminder is highly effective in ensuring that all children are well integrated and the development of all children in relation to their starting points is brilliant. She is highly successful in taking steps to close identified gaps in children’s achievements. For example, by working collaboratively with parents and professionals to support all children to ensure that their needs are met to the highest possible standard.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity and provides a secure environment which reflects children's backgrounds and sections of the wider community. Partnerships are very well established and the childminder communicates with other providers and partners involved with the children who attend. For example, by maintaining dialogue with practitioners at the local pre- school. This enables her to share good practice, to promote continuity and to complement what the children are learning. The childminder communicates superbly with all children, their families and other groups, listens carefully to all involved and consistently puts children's needs first. This true partnership boosts children's learning, development and welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms admirable relationships with children's parents. She seeks and takes account of their views about important issues, such as children's starting points, personal care needs and routines. There is a regular exchange of information and the childminder keeps parents thoroughly up to date about aspects of children's care and progress. The childminder dedicates time to getting to know children and their families, fostering delightful relationships and helping to ensure that children settle quickly and feel secure. She is passionate about her role and children benefit from high levels of supervision and individual attention, and they blossom in the childminder's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The exceptional organisation of the educational programmes reflects rich, varied and imaginative experiences that meet the needs of all children exceedingly well. For example, there is an excellent balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities and children are constantly motivated, busy and fully engaged. Adult-led activities include cooking, art and craft and messy play, and trips to places of local interest. High quality planning ensures that children are consistently challenged by the learning experiences provided. Activities are based upon thorough and accurate observations and assessment and matched to the needs and interests of each child. Children make strides in their learning and willingly take part in activities.

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and outcomes for children

The current topic is space and children engage in an abundance of captivating activities and experiences to extend their learning and development. Through enthralling stories and factual books children learn new and interesting vocabulary such as 'space ship', 'moon buggy' and 'space shuttle'. Children listen attentively to topical poems and pick out rhyming words including 'soon' and 'moon' and 'place' and 'space'. They squeal in delight as they mould different shapes with Moon Sand and they adore the tactile experience. Children take pleasure playing with small world toys and they narrate as they play with space ships, moon buggies and astronauts. Music is very popular and children sing along to 'Five little men in a flying saucer', using props to perform the actions. Vibrant and informative displays of planets, satellites and of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) enhance children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has transformed a gazebo into a brilliant play rocket. Children excitedly dress up as astronauts and don helmets made from papier mache. They jot notes in 'space ship log books' created by the childminder and use walkie- talkies, binoculars and torches to extend their play. Children count backwards to "blast off" and the childminder skilfully enhances their experiences by joining in and asking questions. Children giggle and chatter as they pretend to fly to the moon and they take it in turns to use the telescope to identify stars and aliens. Children creep around the lounge, make believe that they can see footprints and find a toy alien hiding in the rocket. At snack time children eagerly sample authentic Astronaut Food sourced from the internet. Older children adore table-top activities such as The Solar System puzzle and a Manic Martians game. Learning is unmistakably fun and children regularly come across new and interesting

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary and they show an excellent awareness of responsibility within the setting. For example, by tidying away their toys, voluntarily washing their hands and fetching their coats and shoes independently. Children show an extremely strong sense of security and belonging within the setting. They are confident, settle well and develop fantastic relationships at every level. Children display extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem and form lovely relationships with the childminder and members of her family. The childminder helps children to secure the skills they require in order to progress in their learning. She is currently considering new and innovative ways that outdoor This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play can be expanded to further develop children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an exceptional understanding of healthy lifestyles and follow excellent personal hygiene routines. They thoroughly enjoy opportunities to engage in physical activities, both indoors and out. For example, playing ball games, using ride on toys and the parachute and participating in egg and spoon races. Children relish opportunities to visit the local park and soft play centre and they climb the large apparatus and dive through tunnels. Children demonstrate a very positive attitude towards healthy eating; they help to make soup and take pleasure visiting the local shop to choose fruit and vegetables which they devour at lunchtime. Children thrive because their individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to an exceptional standard. 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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