Childminder, Out-of school day care in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY419215 Inspection date 07/07/2011 Inspector Kath 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 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 2011. She lives with her husband, who is also her assistant, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. She also works with a co-childminder. The whole of the ground floor is used when providing a childminding service. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder has two cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, three of these may be in the early years age group and of these one may be under one year old. She also offers care to children aged over eight years. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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 make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. Strong links with parents, based on good information sharing, help to involve them in the children's care and education. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and works closely with others to improve outcomes for children. However, there are some minor weaknesses in systems that support her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure effective arrival and departure procedures for the co-childminder and assistant are in place.

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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 training in this area. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure everyone in the house is suitably checked. However, arrival and departure procedures for the co-childminder and assistant are not fully effective. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Thorough risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden and outings. The childminder visually checks the areas used by the children on a daily basis prior to their arrival. This helps to keep children safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder creates a welcoming child-friendly environment where resources and toys are accessible for children, in low-level pictorially labelled drawers, so

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the early years provision

helping to promote their independence. Art work and posters are displayed, so making the environment more welcoming, and enabling children to take pride in their achievements. Children are able to freely access an outdoor area which leads off the designated play room.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this to promote successful outcomes for children. She has a folder for each child containing individual observations linked to the six areas of learning, to illustrate what activities the children take part in. The observations are used to plan for individual children's next steps in their learning and development to ensure their progression. In order to capture children's learning they are videoed with copies of these clips being sent to parents so they know what their children are doing.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and offers them opportunities to make comments on the service provided. Parental comments on the service include: 'My child loves going to play at the childminder's and being looked after by everyone there... such lovely people. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is wanting someone to look after their children. It makes us feel so happy leaving my child when you know they are so happy and enjoying themselves.'

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents of younger children with a weekly diary, so they know all about their child's week. The childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered are given to all parents and they are requested to read these. A website is being developed where parents will be able to access all relevant information and newsletters are given to parents to keep them fully informed. The childminder accesses many training opportunities and passes suggestions of ideas for games to parents, so they can continue their learning at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the benefits of working with other providers to ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she is continually reflecting on how to improve her service and has plans that she is working through. She asks for children's contributions to this process. Children decided they wanted more cars and more outdoor toys and equipment, so the childminder ensured that this happened. She obtains advice from other practitioners and development workers to help develop her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder places high priority on children learning about safety as she encourages them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take measured risks and ensures that relevant information on topics, such as, bullying and racism are available for parents and older children. She has a 'keep safe' board where ideas about how to keep safe are displayed. Children take part in regular fire drills so they know how to get out of the premises in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating and after blowing their noses. They go for walks in the local area, play at the park and play in the outdoor area, so they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They develop a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating as they eat nutritious well-balanced snacks and meals, such as, fruit, meat and salad items. Children are offered food they like and new experiences in order to encourage variety in their diet. As a result of consulting with the children the childminder now offers a jug of juice so children can help themselves when they need a drink.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with children during their play and constantly talks to them and asks open-ended questions to extend children's learning. The childminder encourages younger children to say individual words to convey simple messages. They freely ask for help when completing the floor puzzle and problem solve as they work out where to put the pieces. As they explore with the shells, fir cones, acorns and other natural objects they talk about the twig smelling of lavender and make connections in their learning as they talk about what they saw on their recent walk in the park. They use language of size as they talk about the tiny shell. As they look at the topic of our bodies they play a matching game to place the picture and name card next to the right body part. They have fun as the childminder puts the ear card on her own ear. They plant from seeds, peas, runner beans and flowers, watch them grow and tend these, learning to care for living

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and outcomes for children

things. They watch with interest as the frog spawn develops. They ride on trikes, in cars and rock on the rocker as they develop their physical skills in the outdoor area.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and are encouraged to share the toys and resources. A timer is used so children know when it is their turn. Children are thanked for their help when tidying away the toys, promoting respectful interactions with each other. The childminder interacts calmly with the children and uses lots of praise, raising their self-esteem. They learn to value others as they use a range of toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They look at different festivals and taste foods to gain an awareness of others. They regularly visit the library, National Trust centres, local cafes and parks, becoming aware of their local community. 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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