Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392611 Inspection date 22/02/2010 Inspector Janette Elizabeth Owen

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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 has been registered since 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and four years in Hereford. All areas of the house, which is accessed via one step, are used when childminding. The bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is also an enclosed garden available for children's use. The family has four cats and fish as pets.

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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 three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are forming trusting relationships with the childminder because of the good individual support they receive. Partnerships with parents and carers are good and satisfactory in regard to links with practitioners from other settings children attend. A balance of free play and adult directed activities both indoors and outside enables children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Records, policies and procedures are generally well-maintained, mostly in line with requirements and reflect the good practice used by the childminder. The childminder has clear ideas about what she can do to further improve the provision so that outcomes for children remain strong.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further an understanding of safeguarding children issues and be able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies should be in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures  develop further the use of ongoing observational assessment to inform planning for each child’s continuing development through play-based activities  develop systems to regularly share children's development and learning records and any other relevant information with practitioners from each setting a child attends. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because a childminder has a generally good understanding of her role and responsibility in ensuring children are safe and protected from harm. She has developed her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues by attending training. Parents are provided with written information on policies and procedures that are in place to safeguard children. However, the safeguarding policy is not consistent with information provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and other guidance. Consequently, parents are not fully informed of procedures implemented particularly in regard of allegations made against the provider and how serious accidents or illnesses are reported. Suitability checks have been completed to ensure that household members are suitable to have regular contact with children, therefore, promotes safety. Risk assessments and daily visual checks are carried out to ensure the

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the early years provision

premises, environment and any outings children are taken on are safe and suitable. The childminder has systems in place to monitor risk assessments and note any changes or improvements that are required.

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the early years provision

Childminder has a good relationship with parents based on two-way information sharing. Parents are kept informed of their child's daily activities and their developmental progress through the use of a daily diary and children's progress journals. The daily diaries are used effectively to exchange information, with parents contributing information on children's specific needs which enables the childminder to be proactive in meeting the children's needs. The childminder works in partnership with parents, she understand the benefits to children that come from a shared approach to children's care and development. For example, she discusses behaviour management strategies, potty training, and any specific support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Although the childminder has satisfactory systems in place to pass information to parents from schools and nurseries she has yet to fully implement systems for sharing children's

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the early years provision

development and learning records and any other relevant information with practitioners from each setting a child attends. The childminder has a positive attitude promoting equality and is developing a range of resources to support children's understanding of similarities and differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her practice and improving outcomes for all children. She attends training to update her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues and to ensure that mandatory training requirements are met. Documentation is appropriately organised and information stored confidentially readily available to the childminder to refer to and share with parents. Her arrangements for planning activities and carrying out systematic observations of children's progress are developing well. There are based on children's interests and information provided by parents on children's individual starting points. Observations are recorded in children's progress journals and show that children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Information on children's next stage of development are not effectively based on the observations and assessments carried out. Consequently, there is a weakness in the planning

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the early years provision

and observation systems used. The childminder has carried out a self-evaluation of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her childminding service and has set targets for improvements which are based on a good understanding of improving outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of their development because the range of activities and experiences provided and the use of daily routines to promote children's independence. The childminder has good settling in arrangements where information is shared with parents and children can visit before minding commences. The childminder helps children develop their confidence and self-assurance by building a bond with the child to help them feel safe and secure. The childminder's current pattern of work means that she gives children a high level of individual attention. Routines such as personal hygiene, helping tidy toys away and preparing snacks enables them to develop their independence, confidence and self-care skills. Children received praise and encouragement to help build their self-esteem and a consistent approach to behaviour management helps them learn right from wrong.

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities for the children to engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and outdoors increases their understanding of healthy lifestyles. Regular outings, including visits to toddler groups provide opportunities the children to socialise and to engage in physical activities. The secure rear garden provides scope for children to use large physical play equipment and plans to improve the outdoor environment will enable children to engage in activities such as gardening and to learn about living things. A varied range of toys and resources help children develop their coordination and dexterity as they build with bricks, set up a railway track or tackle puzzles which are suitable for children of different ages and abilities. Interactive and manipulative toys are provided which stimulate children's interest and develop small manipulative skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual interests are used effectively by the childminder to engage children and encourage the participation in activities. For example, a child's enjoyment of books and stories was used well to help him settle. Sitting with the childminder looking at interactive books provide opportunities to develop communication and language skills and find out what toys can do. The good interaction between the childminder and child enables children to develop their vocabulary and learn concepts such as numbers shapes and colours. Resources such as tactile books enable children to explore different textures as they sit and listen to stories. The varied range of activities planned for children of all ages helps and develop satisfactory skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

High regard is given to promoting children's safety. Steps are taken to ensure children are safe within the home. For example, the premises are secure, safety equipment fitted and a record of visitors maintained. Children learn to keep themselves safe because they are taught the importance of road safety, personal safety and how to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. Although parents provide main meals for children healthy snacks and drinks are provided which ensure children remain well nourished and hydrated throughout the day. 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 3 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 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 3 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 2 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: Met

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