Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY286036 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 17 years in Rugeley, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed back yard available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also cares for several older children that attend before and after school and during the school holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an appropriate early years 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 make good progress as they take part in interesting and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. They are happy and settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected. Good relationships are in place with parents and the childminder is fully aware of the value of working with other professionals to help provide consistency of care for children. Current systems for self-evaluation and observation, planning and assessment are not fully effective but the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to help identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop methods for planning, observation and assessment and devise strategies that encourage parents to contribute to the process and their child's learning and development records.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and views safety as a high priority. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has a clear safeguarding policy that she shares with parents which supports her practice. Potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised through a combination of thoughtful consideration, daily checks and written risk assessments. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted and children are well supervised. Documentation to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting is all in place and appropriately maintained.

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the early years provision

Children have sufficient space to play and rest and are happy in the homely and welcoming environment provided by the childminder. A range of resources are stored within their easy reach and this enhances children's independence and freedom of choice. The childminder borrows additional resources and has recently received a grant which has allowed her to buy some additional items.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She has formed good relationships with parents and regularly talks to them about their children's welfare and development. She offers them support and advice with such topics as toilet training and behaviour management and shares strategies to ensure consistency of care. The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those who speak English as an additional language but has suitable systems in place should she be asked to do so. She is aware of local support mechanisms and is very keen to attend relevant training to enhance her knowledge and practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a sound capacity for improvement. Recommendations raised at her last inspection have been fully addressed and result in improved outcomes for children. Also, the childminder has reviewed her written policies and has created individual learning and development records for each of the children. The childminder has not yet completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form but informally reviews the service that she offers to children and their families. However, self-evaluation methods are not yet fully effective and the views of others are not successfully gathered to inform the process. Consequently, her ability to successfully identify her strengths and priorities for improvement is somewhat reduced.

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well and successfully gaining skills for the future. This is because the childminder knows them well and provides them with a variety of fun and stimulating experiences that suit their individual needs and preferences. For example, children participate in role play, craft activities and enjoy playing with construction toys. They are inquisitive and eager to learn. Children happily play both independently and with the childminder and enjoy looking at books and talking about what they see. The childminder cleverly draws their attention to the pictures in the books and encourages them to think about what is likely to happen next. She alerts them to colours and words and encourages them to count. The childminder interacts well with children and thoughtfully uses everyday experiences This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to extend their learning. Outings are used to alert children to nature, help reinforce

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and outcomes for children

road safety rules and to provide regular opportunities for children to experience plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes children during play and this helps her to assess individual children's current stage of development and how she intends to move them on next. She records some of what she observes in individual folders and these include her written observations and some photographs of the children engaged in play. However, the childminder is still developing the systems she uses for recording observations and assessments. Also, clear strategies for encouraging ongoing parental involvement in the observation, planning and assessment process are not in place. Consequently, children's learning potential is somewhat reduced.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy lots of outdoor play and physical exercise and this helps them to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They go for lots of walks, visit soft play centres and play out in the childminder's back garden. Their social skills are developing well as they regularly mix with other adults and children. They are learning to share and take turns and the childminder uses a range of positive strategies to encourage good behaviour. For example, she promptly praises children's good behaviour, effort and achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy eating is promoted through routine discussion at meal times and in spontaneous and planned activities. For example, children help to select healthy produce on shopping trips and have engaged in a food tasting activity where they were encouraged to try a variety of green vegetables. Children are confident and settled in the warm and welcoming environment provided by the childminder. They know where things are kept and familiar routines help them to feel safe and secure. Children are at ease to go to the childminder for comfort, support and reassurance and this demonstrates that they feel safe. Through meaningful activities and discussions children are learning about the wider community. A variety of resources are available to children that reflect positive images of diversity. 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 3 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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