Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201580 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Christine Armstrong

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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 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.

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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 2001. She lives with her three children aged eight, 12 and 15 years in the town of Atherstone in Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a child care qualification.

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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 are effectively supported to make good progress in their learning and development in this welcoming and inclusive setting. Systems to monitor children's progress are effective and contribute to the progress they make. Partnerships with parents are good and contribute to ensuring children's individual needs are identified and met. The childminder has made good progress to develop her service since the last inspection and she is beginning to develop self-evaluation systems. She demonstrates good capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information for all children on who has parental responsibility and who has legal contact (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 28/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use self-evaluation processes as the basis of ongoing internal review. 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 places good emphasis on ensuring that children's health and safety is promoted and protected. She has recently completed a refresher course to update her knowledge of child protection issues. She has also devised written safeguarding polices and procedures that are shared with parents. As a result, she has a strong understanding of the action she should take if she was concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Thorough risk assessments are undertaken which ensure all potential hazards to children are effectively minimised. The childminder implements good health and hygiene practices. This ensures children are well protected against the risk of cross-infection. Parents are provided with good quality information about her service. However, she has not obtained information about who has legal contact and who has parental responsibility for every child which is a legal

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the early years provision

The childminder has a strong understanding of how to support children's learning. She develops positive relationships with parents and gains a good understanding of children's interests, abilities and family experiences. Children's learning journals are used well by the childminder to share information and involve parents in children's learning. This ensures all children are fully included and make good progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of her home and garden to provide a stimulating and welcoming environment to children. Resources are organised effectively to support children to make choices and take an active part in their daily routines. They include positive images of diversity which promotes children's awareness of similarities and differences in themselves and others. The childminder does not currently care for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she understands the importance of working closely with other early years professionals to support such children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvements. She is clearly committed to improving her practice and outcomes for children. Since the last inspection she has obtained a level 3 child care qualification. She has developed her knowledge and skills, particularly with regard to assessing children's development and their next steps in learning. She has also met all the recommendations made at the last inspection. This has improved the maintenance and confidentially of children's records. She is beginning to develop self-evaluation systems as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder makes good use of observations and information provided by parents to assess progress and next steps in children's learning. This enables her to plan challenging This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Daily routines support their understanding of the importance of good hygiene. Children develop their physical skills as they learn to wash and dry their hands and put on their own shoes. Children have daily opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy kicking, throwing and rolling balls in the childminder's garden and using larger equipment at local parks. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating through discussions and stories. They eat healthy snacks including apples and grapes and they take part in growing vegetables in garden pots. Children are supported to develop a growing awareness of safety issues around the home and when outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to investigate, explore and use their creativity and imagination using small world resources and craft materials. They benefit from visiting local community venues as this helps to broaden the range of social and learning experiences. Children's behaviour is good in the setting because the childminder sets and maintains clear boundaries that children respond well to. Children enjoy very positive relationships with the childminder and develop a strong sense of belonging in the setting. They take part in activities and experiences that help them to value similarities and differences in themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a varied range of stimulating activities that inspire them to become active learners and to develop their skills for the future. For example, younger children enjoy and benefit from spending lots of time singing action rhythms with the childminder. They learn new vocabulary and concepts of number and size whilst having great fun. Children's thinking, listening and language development is very well supported by the childminder who makes good use of open questions to promote and stimulate children's thinking and learning. Children learn to handle books with care. They are encouraged to re-tell stories and develop interests in the sounds letters make. Children learn how to operate and explore a range of exciting simple technology toys. Number lines and board games are used well by the childminder to encourage children's understanding of number and simple problem solving. 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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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

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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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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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