Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 223727 Inspection date 06/05/2010 Inspector Kathryn Mary Harding

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children, in a small town in North Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house which is accessed via one step into the property, is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a dog as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment and children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has a strong partnership with parents and has started to develop partnerships in the wider context. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and has good systems in place to evaluate her practice in order to identify strengths and areas for development. However, toys and resources are not easily accessible for the children and risk assessments do not cover everything that children come into contact with.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments cover anything with which a child may come into contact with, with regard to sockets  make materials easily accessible to all children, to ensure they can make choices.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has attended relevant training. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure all people living in the house are vetted. The childminder visually checks the rooms prior to the children arriving. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and outings but at the time of the inspection some sockets were accessible to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this effectively to promote successful outcomes for children. The childminder has begun to observe children's progress in individual folders, using photographs to illustrate the observations. Next steps in children's development are highlighted and planned for. She creates a warm, friendly environment for the children but resources and toys are not easily accessible for children, to help to promote their independence.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents. She encourages a two-way flow of information between her and the parents and seeks out their opinions via questionnaires. Some parental comments include 'Very flexible, a very good service and the children are very happy'. 'I am extremely happy and contended with the premises and the care provided.' Parents are provided with a daily verbal account of the child's day and the childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered. Links with other providers ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement as she is continually reflecting on how to improve her service. She obtains advice from other practitioners and development workers. Since the last inspection, she has addressed all the recommendations raised at the inspection to help keep the children safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and play confidently, enjoying the close interaction and support they receive from the childminder. Babies awake to reassurance and cuddles from the childminder. On outings children are encouraged to learn about road safety. They are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they take measured risks as they scale the climbing equipment and older children ensure they do not leave small pieces out when babies are playing. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air as they freely access the outdoor area, go for walks and play at the park. They develop a good understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they can access their own drinks throughout the day and are offered fruit for snack. After washing their hands they use anti-bacterial hand gel to prevent the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to choose what they want to play with but toys and resources are not readily accessible for the children to fully make independent choices. As they play with the dinosaurs and dragons, they talk about their families and what they had to eat for breakfast. The childminder encourages the children to think and extends their learning as she asks open-ended questions about what animals they know the names of and if they like going in water. As the childminder chatters to the children, she models language effectively to encourage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development of communication skills. Children look at photograph albums and talk about who they recognise when they were younger, so gaining a sense of time. They learn about their local community as they go to the library, shops and toddlers where they learn to socialise with other children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they are encouraged to be kind and share the toys especially the popular toys such as the fire engine. Respect and tolerance for each other is encouraged and children are polite in their interactions. The older children are encouraged to help younger children when putting on coats. They learn to value and respect others as they use a range of resources which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. 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 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: Met

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