Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201011 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Jayne Rooke

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children aged 23 and 20 years in Atherston Warwickshire. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are shops and schools within walking distance. Children are taken on local outings to the park and to local areas of interest. The childminder escorts children from school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. There is suitable access to the property for people with disabilities; toilet facilities are accessible on the ground floor.

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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 clearly linked to the welfare and learning requirements with the exception of safeguarding information and vetting procedures. Consistent information is shared about children's development and welfare. Good arrangements are in place to ensure that all children are included and their good health and well-being is supported well. Children's behaviour is generally managed within positive boundaries. The childminder uses informal self- evaluation methods reasonably to review her practice. She works closely with parents and other settings to ensure that each child's needs are met and to ensure that all children make good progress in their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 take the necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in line with current guidelines and regulations (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 02/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 review behaviour management systems regarding 'time out' procedures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of safeguarding procedures and has sufficient information in place to ensure that children are protected from harm and neglect. However, records and systems regarding suitability checks and the allegations procedure have not been fully updated in-line with current regulations and guidelines. Most of the necessary documentation is in place and is periodically reviewed, although consent from each child's parent to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future has not yet been obtained in writing as recommended at the previous inspection. This potentially compromises children's safety and welfare. The childminder is fully aware of the complaints procedure and keeps appropriate information and records to ensure that parents and carers can pass on any compliments or concerns. Risk assessments are detailed and cover all aspects of the home and outings. Information is obtained

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the early years provision

about who has legal contact and who has parental responsibility. Children's attendance is accurately recorded and accident procedures are robust. Children remain under the close supervision of the childminder when they attend after school. They learn how to keep themselves safe when travelling home on the school bus and know that they must stay close to a trusted adult when they are on outings. Older children confidently explain the fire evacuation drill.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to secure continued improvement, she has attended many training courses to enhance her professional knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). As a result, she ensures that activities, resources and the environment are well-planned and organised and fully inclusive. Consequently children benefit from a warm and welcoming environment which helps them to feel settled, safe and happy in their surroundings. Daily routines are well-managed taking into account children's patterns of attendance and interests. A stimulating range of resources are readily accessible so that all children can make choices in their play, they particularly enjoy imaginative and construction play and love to explore and investigate in a variety of ways.

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the early years provision

Parents and carers are welcomed into the childminder's home. They have developed strong and trusting relationships with her over a number of years, ensuring that children's individual needs are met and that any additional needs are sensitively managed and supported. Information is shared daily about their child's care and well-being. Parents receive written information which helps them to understand the childminder's policies and procedures. Their suggestions and comments are valued promoting effective partnerships and continuity of care for each child. The childminder maintains good links with the children's school so that they are happy and confident to attend and their learning and development is supported well between each setting. 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 'very happy' and describe their time at the childminder's home as 'awesome' and 'brilliant'. They are actively engaged in a well-balanced programme of adult-led and child-choice play which successfully supports their knowledge and skills. For example, the childminder skilfully asks open questions to stimulate children's language and communication. This promotes interesting conversations between themselves and the childminder which enables children to express their thoughts and feelings about past and present events such as holidays, Christmas festivities and religious meanings and to share their knowledge of favourite subjects such as 'Egyptian pyramids'. Useful resources such as a world atlas and encyclopaedia are readily available to further enhance and support children's knowledge of other countries and their comparable size and position to each other across the world. Children develop a positive interest in other cultures and beliefs

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and outcomes for children

and an awareness of people's differences and similarities through varied play activities, resources and general discussion. This helps them to learn about the wider world and helps them to value and respect themselves and others. Children behave well and are respectful of each other. They are happy to negotiate and wait to take turns in their play. The childminder speaks positively and kindly to the children, setting realistic and achievable goals and boundaries so that children understand what is expected of them. Her behaviour policy generally sets out positive strategies for managing children's behaviour, although the 'time out' procedure for children to sit 'at the bottom of the stairs' potentially creates a negative impact on children's self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities for children to learn about and understand the benefits of good health and hygiene are maximised during bathroom and mealtime routines. Children know that it is important to have clean hands to prevent germs spreading. They independently use individual towels when drying their hands which prevents the risk of cross-infection. They thoroughly enjoy the childminder's 'healthy dinners' and frequently talk about food that is good for their health and nutrition. The childminder's home is well organised so that children can move around freely and safely indoors and outside. This provides many opportunities for them to develop their creativity and imagination during den play in the home-made tents and as they use action toys and smaller construction bricks to create models and interactive 'computer' machines to use in their role play. The childminder skilfully responds to children's spontaneous interest encouraging them to use books,

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and outcomes for children

stories and picture resources to support their play and learning. This significantly enhances children's development across all areas of learning. Observations and informal assessments are used well to inform future planning and to ensure that the programme of activities is tailored towards children's specific interests and needs. Examples of children's artwork and their written words and numbers show that children make good progress towards the early learning goals over a period of time. 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 3 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 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

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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 Register requirements (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 02/02/2010

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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 Register requirements (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 02/02/2010

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