Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344387 Inspection date 12/09/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 12 years in Stafford. The ground floor and first floor bathroom are mainly used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for two children on a part-time basis. Both children attending are in the early year age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local toddler group and is able to take and collect children from the local school. 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 cared for in a welcoming environment and move and play freely around the available space. They have access to a range of quality toys and resources which encourage them to make good progress in their learning and development. Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder develops with parents and other practitioners. This ensures their individual needs are met. Policies and procedures are mostly effective and documentation is well-organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is committed to developing and improving her practice and demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the sickness exclusion policy to include information about incubation period for infectious and reportable diseases and share information with parents  update the complaints procedure to include the correct details for contacting Ofsted.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures for child protection. She has attended training to update and extend This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her knowledge and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. There are clear and robust vetting procedures in place to ensure children are cared for by suitable adults. A written risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and any outing undertaken with the children. The childminder conducts daily checks on her home to ensure children are safe from harm. Children are cared for in a welcoming and stimulating environment. They have access to a variety of age-appropriate toys and resources which are safe and suitably for their purpose.

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the early years provision

Children are at ease with the childminder and positive, warm and affectionate relationships between the childminder and the children are evident. This helps children to develop their confidence. The childminder is dedicated to providing a good level of care for children and their families. She shows commitment towards her own personal development and improves her knowledge by attending relevant courses and workshops. She has recently trained as a teaching assistant and attended first aid and safeguard training. She uses this knowledge effectively to improve outcomes for children. Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision and its impact upon children's development and learning are effective to ensure that the children's individual needs are continually met. The environment, particularly the playroom is utilised to its full potential and resources are well- organised to provide children with choices about where and what they wish to play

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the early years provision

with. The childminders flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child- led and adult-initiated activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families and there are clear systems in place to gather information from parents and carers regarding children's individual needs. Communication books ensure that they are fully informed of their children's progress and care routine. Parents are provided with a variety of policies covering all aspects of the childminding service including a complaints policy. However, this does not include the correct telephone number of the regulator to ensure that they are fully informed. The childminder is methodical in her approach to paper work and as a result, children's records and documentation is well-organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. She has formed effective links with the local school and

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the early years provision

other early years practitioners to ensure the children's individual needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and benefit from an environment which is organised to enable them to make choices about their play and develop their independence. Most toys are placed at low-level in the playroom and arranged so that children can develop their skills and have fun. The childminders knowledge of each child's personal preferences ensures that children's individual needs and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 routines are well-met. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well and plans a variety of activities supported by quality resources. The childminder observes children as they play and records what they can do. She uses these achievement records to monitor children's progress and help plan the next steps in their learning. Photographic evidence is attractively presented in individual books and shared with parents on a regular basis. The childminder aims to ensure

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and outcomes for children

that children always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. As a means of reward, certificates are given to children for their efforts. This helps builds their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children show great excitement pressing buttons on musical and programmable toys to see what happens next. They love joining in craft activities such as printing, painting, collage and regularly join in water and sand play to further extend their natural curiosity. They have access to a range of books to help develop their early reading skills and are provided with opportunities through their daily routine to develop their simple mark making abilities. Children are encouraged to improve their simple problem solving skills through daily activities, such as, construction play, puzzles and number rhymes. They are encouraged to respect each other and have access to a variety of resources which reflect diversity. The childminder talks to the children about other countries and cultures and celebrates festivals such as Chinese New Year. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the childminders home. They walk to the local park to

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and outcomes for children

feed the ducks and frequently attend the toddler group where they are able to socialise with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, the childminder talks to them about fire evacuation and regularly practises this with them to ensure that they know what to do in an emergency. Children are well-cared for if they have an accident and effective procedures are in place to protect them from illness and infection. However, the sickness policy does not clearly state the incubation periods for some childhood illnesses or clearly identify reportable diseases, to ensure children's well-being is fully protected. Through activities and daily routines children become aware of healthy eating and good hygiene practices. They are provided with a variety of nutritious snacks and are reminded to wash their hands before eating. Children's individual dietary needs are established on admission and are fully supported by the childminder. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access to the garden on a regular

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and outcomes for children

basis where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health. 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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