Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417064 Inspection date 08/09/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and child aged two years in a house in a rural area of South Shropshire. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time. Of these, two may be in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She presently has five children on roll. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a caring environment for all children and ensures that their individual needs are met. She has a developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and is beginning to put systems into practice to promote children's welfare and to demonstrate how children are progressing. Partnerships with parents and others involved in children's care and education are in their infancy. The childminder demonstrates a sound commitment to improving outcomes for children and to the extension of self-evaluation systems to provide her with a clear focus for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide time to support children's understanding of how hygiene promotes good health  ensure observation across the six areas of learning supports continuous assessment to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there  maintain a regular two-way flow of information with parents and between providers to provide continuity of care and learning for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and of her responsibility to safeguard children. All adults living and working in the household are known to Ofsted, to enable appropriate checks to be undertaken. The safety and security of children is ensured through effective supervision, and by providing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 secure indoor and outside play areas. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of risk assessments in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents, and has completed written records of risk assessments for the premises and for outings. Records, such as, registers of attendance and those for accidents and medication, are maintained appropriately to promote children's well being and to meet requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has initiated systems for planning and recognises some of the learning potential within activities. However, she is not using observation and assessment effectively to plan for the next steps in individual children's progress across all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The premises are very spacious, providing well for activity, meal times and rest. There is a suitable range of age-appropriate resources positioned around the property to enable children to make some choices about their play. The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive for all children and their families, to ensure they get the support they need to make satisfactory progress.

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the early years provision

Information is shared with parents when they initially use the service through policies within a portfolio. Regular verbal dialogue is backed up through the use of daily diaries, offering basic information about children's care routines and activities undertaken. Children only attend for short periods of time each week and as a result there are limited opportunities to work together with parents to support and extend children's learning and development, for instance, through involvement in the completion of their profiles. Similarly, although the childminder is familiar with staff at local schools and groups, partnerships are not fully developed to promote continuity in individual children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder accesses opportunities for training to share practice with other providers and acts on advice from the local authority development officers. She is keen to consider ways to improve and develop her service and has started to use the self-assessment document to support this.

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and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable, relaxed and develop secure attachments with the childminder, which helps to promote their emotional well-being. Young children begin to develop their language skills as they listen and respond to the childminder giving instructions. She models language well as she chats to them about their play and they start to verbalise and copy words and phrases. They enjoy sharing stories and books and while sitting comfortably in the reading area they begin to turn pages and respond to the pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported by the calm-natured childminder to behave well and are learning to take one another's needs into account as they play together. They learn to keep themselves safe as they help to tidy away their toys to keep the environment free from clutter. They are reassured by the presence of their familiar carer as they take manageable risks, for instance, climbing the slide steps and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 coming down the chute.

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and outcomes for children

Children sit together to share snack and meal times and are encouraged to make healthy choices about the contents of their sandwiches or the drink that they want to accompany their food. They begin to learn about where their food comes from as they watch vegetables, such as, pumpkins, courgettes and potatoes, grow in the garden. They dress for the weather in waterproofs and wellington boots and benefit from regular outdoor play and countryside walks to experience fresh air and first-hand contact with the seasons and the natural world. They relish the opportunity to learn about the world around them as they observe farm machinery at work in the areas adjacent to the garden, listening to the noises, watching the movement and discussing the job they are doing. They learn about their local community as they make use of parks and libraries and have opportunities to socialise with other children at toddler sessions. They begin to value and respect

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and outcomes for children

others as they use some resources, which introduce diversity and help them understand about the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children wash their hands before snacktime and use individual flannels to prevent the spread of infection. However, the routines are not consistently followed when they do not wash their hands after coming in from outdoor play or immediately following nappy change. This hampers their ability to develop an understanding of the importance of following effective personal hygiene routines. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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