Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272531 Inspection date 08/04/2010 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 10 years in Staffordshire, close to schools, shops and a park. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. Access to the property is on ground floor level. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. Currently, she is minding three children in this age group. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends pre-school groups and the local childminder's network.

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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

Most policies and procedures are well-implemented to ensure continuity of care and learning, and an effective capacity to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder has detailed knowledge of the children's interests and abilities, which ensures their individuality is well-recognised and respected. Strong partnerships with parents and a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure that children make good progress in their learning. The childminder continually identifies aspects of her service that she would like to extend and develop. She monitors her service by comparing and sharing ideas with other childminders and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 22/04/2010

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further?

 ensure the daily record of attendance is accurate(Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 22/04/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  review daily routines to ensure children can further develop their personal independance by accessing their own drinks.

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the early years provision

The childminder attends various training courses to extend and enhance her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is clear about safety issues and ensures children are safe and secure, both inside and outside the home. The childminder conducts visual daily safety checks, however, the required risk assessments have not been fully completed and implemented and the record of children's attendance is not always accurate. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection issues and how to report her concerns. The childminder has ensured that all adults living on the premises are suitable to have contact with children. She has developed close partnerships with parents, to share information to safeguard children. Parents write letters of thanks, one writes 'she has built up a great bond with both of my boys by showing kindness and patience'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware that she is to develop methods to work cohesively to form effective partnerships with schools and nurseries, when relevant. The childminder is successful in offering an inclusive service for children and their families, and has sound knowledge of how to seek additional help for children. She ensures all children make significant progress and enjoy individual support to enhance their learning experience. The children's next steps in their learning are discussed with parents in order to promote continuity and progression. Parents are provided with written daily information on their children, and they have open access to the children's observation folders.

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the early years provision

The childminder is forward thinking in her determination to maintain and improve her good quality childminding service, and has recently attended an awareness course on the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her future plans include undertaking training in equality and diversity and health and safety. She is also planning to compile a questionnaire for parents to feedback on her service. Her understanding of self-evaluation allows her to monitor her strengths and weaknesses to focus on the most significant areas for improvement in order to provide consistently good outcomes for children. The childminder provides the children with a wide range of challenging and exciting experiences and activities. She has good quality resources, and ensures that the environment is stimulating, warm and welcoming.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content, and enjoy the time they spend with each other and the childminder. Their confidence grows as they are provided with stimulating experiences and individual support, which helps them develop a positive sense of themselves. Children are involved in the local community and enjoy outings and visits to pre-school groups to socialise and learn to respect diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Their personal independence is developing as the childminder encourages children to take care of their own personal needs, such as managing their clothing and learning how to keep safe. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to develop further by having free access to their own drinks. The childminder joins in with the children's play and asks them enquiring, understandable questions. The varied range of resources are freely available and

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and outcomes for children

stored at a low level, including books which are chosen to read as part of daily activities. Children make strong progress and celebrate their achievements with mutual praise and applause. The childminder uses daily routines to extend the children's learning experiences, such as asking them to help tidy toys away and find resources for activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to make decisions and select their own toys and resources. They use them imaginatively as part of their play. For example, the children become absorbed when sorting through the threading buttons and repositioning the fridge magnets. Children understand the importance of keeping safe and respect the inside and outside safety rules, such as no throwing toys and holding onto the banisters when walking up and down stairs.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy outings, frequent walks and visits to the park, library and shops to develop their sense of well-being and physical skills. Regular outside play in the rear garden provides opportunities to use large equipment and grow their own vegetables. Their developing understanding is extended by linking a healthy lifestyle to eating healthy snacks and packed lunches.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative and make collages of paper, tissue, glue and felt. They excitedly take part in their role play by using soft toys to imitate animal noises and make each other laugh uncontrollably. They enjoy art projects, and making cards for Easter and Eid. Photographs record children's activities over time.

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and outcomes for children

Children's enthusiasm and self-esteem grow as they are praised and thanked for kind, helpful behaviour and achievements. They are rewarded with smiles and hugs and taught to share, take turns and remember to say 'please', 'thank you' and 'sorry'. They are learning skills for the future as they practise early numeracy, communication and literacy skills in free play and daily routines. For example, counting the threading buttons, and cars and houses when out walking.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully assessed when they are placed with the childminder to ascertain their starting points. This is done by discussion with parents, and the child when appropriate. Progress is monitored by observations, which are used to inform the next steps, individual planning and areas where further support is required. The childminder has developed methods to evaluate her practice to enable her to recognise the learning value in daily routine activities. Children have frequent opportunities to extend their understanding of the society in which they live, through visits, discussion, stories and increasing their awareness of culture and minority groups. 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 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 3 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 section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 22/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 22/04/2010

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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 section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 22/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 22/04/2010

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