Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY364138 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Jayne Rooke

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 13 years in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are valued as individuals and practice is inclusive in most areas. They enjoy a stimulating and mostly challenging range of play and learning experiences in a well-organised and welcoming environment. Their individual progress is clearly and effectively monitored through the Early Years Foundation Stage programme. The childminder builds positive and trusting partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals, ensuring children receive consistent and complementary care. The childminder is committed to providing good quality care and learning for all children through continuous self-review.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve the planning and provision of challenging learning and development experiences that support children's progress towards the early learning goals  extend the use of resources and activities which support children's cultural background and home language.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm and neglect because the childminder is secure in her knowledge of all safeguarding procedures. She has a clear written policy which sets out what to do if she is concerned about a child's well-being, and this policy is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shared with parents and carers. She pays close attention to children's safety and security through vigilant safety checks and close supervision. All adults in the household have completed the necessary vetting procedure. There are clear procedures for emergency evacuation in place and these are displayed in picture form around the home. This ensures that children know what to do in the event of a fire emergency. Thorough risk assessments are conducted for all areas of the home, for the equipment children use and for each outing and comprehensive records are maintained. This minimises risks to children's safety. Children new to

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the early years provision

the childminder's home are helped to feel comfortable and secure through a series of introductory visits.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds relevant childcare and nursing qualifications and is committed to ongoing training. She uses her knowledge, skills and experience well to support children's welfare and learning. The childminder reflects on what works well in practice, adapting routines and activities tailored towards each child's needs and stage of development. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully addressed so that children's understanding of diversity is developed through a varied range of activities, toys and educational television programmes. She has developed a consistent approach to planning. This provides children with a broad range of activities, experiences and play opportunities that support their next steps in development. This successfully contributes to children's enjoyment and achievements. The childminder makes good use of resources to effectively promote inclusive practice. Books, toys and play equipment are readily

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the early years provision

accessible to children to encourage their self-chosen play. Children are engaged in activities and games which promote positive attitudes and an active approach towards equality and diversity. She is beginning to develop opportunities for children to express themselves in their home language. The childminder understands the importance of close partnerships to support children's individual needs. For example, she liaises closely with parents and other childcare or health professionals to ensure that children with identified needs receive appropriate support at an early stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes time to build friendly and trusting partnerships with parents which successfully promotes continuity of care. Parents are actively involved in the educational programmes through discussion and shared development records. This keeps them up-to-date with what their children are doing and helps them to support their child's learning at home. Comprehensive details are obtained about each child to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes and so that routines are tailored towards children's individual interests, patterns of attendance and development needs. All of the necessary signed consents are in place to support children's welfare. This includes written information about parental responsibility and signed consent for the seeking of any emergency medical treatment and advice. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Detailed policies covering all aspects of the provision are well written

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the early years provision

and informative. They set out clear guidelines which are in line with regulatory requirements. This ensures that parents and carers are fully informed about all matters regarding their child's care and well-being.

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the early years provision

Comments received from parents during the inspection and in written thank you notes are very positive and complimentary. They state that they are very happy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the 'high standards of care' provided. They are 'reassured' by the childminder's 'strong family values'which are 'consistent with their own'. Children 'settle well' and 'feel safe' because of the childminder's 'supportive' and 'flexible' care arrangements. Children appreciate the childminder's 'loving care' and 'thoughtful gifts' which they think are 'fantastic'. Children 'come on in leaps and bounds' in their learning. They are cared for in 'an atmosphere that is always bright, happy, relaxed, and under control'.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good communication networks with the schools that children attend to promote a smooth transition into full-time education. She has regular contact with other childcare providers and professionals to share good practice and for seeking any advice, support and guidance.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively engaged in a well-balanced programme of activities which offer a broad range of interest and cover all areas of learning. The childminder skilfully supports children's learning and generally develops ongoing challenge through practical and play-based activities. For example, children attend many activity events outside of the home which enables them to develop their confidence in small and large groups. They learn how to share and take turns as they take part in a range of games and projects. The childminder provides lots of interesting toys and equipment in response to children's current interests and development stages. As a result, children explore and experiment with household materials and building toys in their constructive play. Their interest in how things fix together is extended during visits to local building and construction sites which significantly enhances their learning. Music, dance and stories are used effectively

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and outcomes for children

to stimulate children's communication, language and literacy. Younger children enjoy snuggling closely to the childminder for a story, pointing to pictures and turning pages correctly. Older children confidently identify familiar letters and sounds from written words in a book. The childminder skilfully emphasises different words and sounds as she reads a story to extend children's use of speech and language. She sometimes introduces elements of challenge by asking questions which test children's understanding of sequences and events. The childminder and children laugh as they recall how to put their coats on without 'getting into a muddle'. She uses stories effectively to help children think about what happened in the past and where things come from. She effectively links planned projects to learning themes which encourage children to use numbers for counting and writing for making labels. This gives meaning and purpose to

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and outcomes for children

Children's curiosity and interest in finding out about the world around them, the way they live and each other's lives is well planned and generally supported well. However, the childminder sometimes misses opportunities to extend children's use of their home language in everyday situations. Children become interested in the natural world as they observe and learn the names of the different birds that visit the bird feeders in the garden. Their knowledge of animals and life cycles is extended through small world farm play and non-fiction farm animal books. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helps them to find out about how animals live and grow. Children thoroughly enjoy taking part in planting and growing projects. The childminder shows children how to handle seeds gently and invites them to plant them in the soil. She talks to children about how the seeds need light and water to germinate and grow, but

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and outcomes for children

does not always tailor the questions to encourage children to think and work out things for themselves. This minimises the levels of ongoing challenge during practical activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to be physically active indoors and outside. They enjoy robust play in the garden and at the park and make dens under the table when they have an indoor picnic. They make big and small movements in their imaginative play as they learn how to 'move around the farmyard' safely, avoiding obstacles. They benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as they walk to school and the local shops. Children's creativity is nurtured through a variety of art and craft activities. Older children love to colour and draw, whilst younger children make marks and patterns with a variety of materials. Their creations are proudly displayed and shared with parents through development records and as gifts to take home.

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and outcomes for children

Observation and assessment information is used well to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder makes good use of the information obtained to inform future planning and clearly identifies children's next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is supported well because positive steps are taken by the childminder to promote children's good health and well-being. They eat healthy meals and snacks and follow good hygiene examples through the daily routine. Children behave well because the childminder is a positive role model. She speaks kindly to the children and has established sensible house rules which are attractively displayed. This helps children to understand what is expected of them, how to keep themselves safe, and that they should treat others with respect and kindness. Consequently, children make good progress in all aspects of their learning and develop strong skills for the future. 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 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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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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