Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY413238 Inspection date 13/12/2010 Inspector Diane Andrews

p.1

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 assesses 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged five years, three years and one year in a house in a village near Telford, Shropshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of these no more than one may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There is one child on roll.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has only been caring for children for a short time, but is already is well-organised in most areas and has a good knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through effective partnerships with parents she gathers a range of information to ensure that she understands their children's individual needs. Children are helped to make good progress because they feel safe, secure and included. The childminder has enthusiasm and a good capacity to continuously improve, making good use of training, advice and her childcare experience to develop her practice.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the risk assessment to include the minimising of cross-infection with regard to all hand-washing procedures and to ensure that all risks are minimised with regard to the safety of the heating appliances.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is confident and trained in child protection procedures. The steps taken to safeguard children are robust and effective. The childminder's policies and procedures are clear and appropriate to support the care service provided and are shared with parents through her Childcare Portfolio. Insurance and registration certificates are prominently displayed for parents to refer to and the daily register, accident and medication records and procedures are completed as appropriate. The childminder checks the identification of visitors, and all adults in the household are known to Ofsted and have completed checks in order to ensure children's welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and effectively supervises them at all times. Risk assessments help to ensure most hazards are minimised and include changes made to the home, such as the addition of a Christmas tree.

p.4

the early years provision

However, they are not fully effective as fireguard surrounding the electric heater is not fixed safely to the wall and the artificial coals in the unused fire are potentially accessible. Fire detection equipment is fitted where required and children practise emergency evacuation procedures so that they understand how to keep themselves safe.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are helped to settle in the provision due to the effective, supportive partnerships the childminder forges with the parents. She gets to know and understand their children's individual likes and dislikes and helps them to feel secure about the care arrangements. Parents know about the progress their children are making through the sharing of daily dairies and through access to their children's development profiles. The profiles are informative and include photographs and anecdotes and document children's achievements and mile- stones. The childminder successfully uses her observations and assessments to plan for the next steps in children's development as they make progress through the stepping stones towards the early learning goals. She recognises the benefits of liaison with other settings children attend when the need arises.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder makes clear her commitment to inclusion and is able to recognise and cater for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She ensures that all children learn to value diverse cultures and one another's differences through activities, discussion and play materials.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a realistic view of her practice at this early stage in her childminding career. She has begun to use self-evaluation effectively to identify areas for improvement; she intends to create treasure baskets for babies to benefit from play and exploration of natural materials and is developing a choices book showing all resources available for children to select from. She is enthusiastic, keen to attend training opportunities and is open to advice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates her good understanding about how children learn as she uses spontaneous opportunities well to challenge their thinking and develop their knowledge. Systems are being developed and adapted to support the delivery of the educational programme and the matching of observations to the expectations of the early learning goals, so meeting children's learning needs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a variety of stimulating play experiences and activities, both indoors and outside which support their learning and development well. The childminder is able to engage them in activities and appropriately support their learning through encouragement, praise and effective role modelling. Babies are developing their confidence and beginning to explore their surroundings, making choices about the toys they play with. They respond positively to the childminder's gestures and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reassuring chatter. Their communication skills are enhanced through the introduction of some baby sign language, which parents use at home. They begin to make eye-contact, smile and vocalise and imitate those around them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children respond to familiar songs and books and are keen to investigate how things work as they push buttons on interactive toys to create a reaction or sit fascinated watching the movement and listening to the noises of the 'busy ball popper'. They enjoy building towers with the childminder who counts as they add another layer, introducing corresponding numbers to them. They show satisfaction as they knock the tower to the floor and begin again. The youngest children are interested in the play of their peers and all are supported to take the needs of one another into account as they share the environment. Babies begin to develop their mobility skills and to pull themselves up on furniture and toys to view their surroundings from a new perspective. They start to find freedom as they make some tentative movements using equipment such as wheeled toys as an aid, supported by their familiar carer.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden or go for walks in the local vicinity where they learn about the local community and observe aspects of the natural environment. They benefit from attendance at toddler groups and opportunities to socialise with children of their own age. They are encouraged to try new tastes at snack and meal times and happily settle for a rest, showing complete contentment. Children are, on the whole, learning to follow good health and hygiene practices and older children are encouraged to manage their own personal needs. Babies' hands are washed after nappy changing to introduce them to routines from an early age, but the routines are not consistently applied as their hands are not cleaned before finger food is offered at snack time. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8