Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424121 Inspection date 13/09/2011 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 in Bedworth, Warwickshire, with her partner and two children aged six years and one year. The lounge and dining- room on the ground floor, and a first floor bathroom and bedroom are registered for childminding. The garden is not currently registered and so two local parks are used for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for four children aged under eight years at any one time and of these two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for three children under eight years and of these two are in the early years age group. One of these children and an older child attend before and after school. The childminder walks with children to and from a local school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 demonstrates a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She meets each child's developmental needs well and promotes care needs effectively. Systems in place promote children's health and safety generally well, although records do not fully support the childminder's practice. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences and the childminder makes sure that all children are valued and included. All required policies and procedures are shared with parents and most include full detail on the childminder's practice. The childminder is beginning to assess her strengths and areas for improvement, although plans for the future are not yet fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure the risk assessment record includes practice with regard to anything with which a child comes into contact; with specific reference to the stairs and gas fires  extend the information provided for parents in the event of them failing to collect their child at the appointed time  develop the system for self-evaluation in order to bring about further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment. Potential risks are generally addressed well in practice and a risk assessment record has been drawn up. However, the record states that a safety gate is fitted to the bottom of the stairs and currently this is not the case as a new gate does not fit. The childminder explains that children do not access the stairs as the playroom door is always closed and young children are closely supervised. The risk assessment record does not include practice explained with regard to two wall-mounted gas fires that are accessible to the children. The childminder explains that these are not used and is certain that a child could not switch the fires on. All necessary checks for the childminder and her family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised with a person who has not been vetted. The childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to protecting children from

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the early years provision

abuse. Satisfactory information on a safeguarding procedure is provided for parents and the childminder is aware of the Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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the early years provision

Planning for improvement is at an early stage. In order to develop her childminding practice, the childminder seeks advice and support from other experienced childminders whom she meets with at local groups. A local authority development worker attends one of these groups and has provided help with regard to policies. Members of the childminder's family who are involved in early years care and education offer her advice. Required policies and procedures are shared with parents and written copies are provided. These include some information for if a parent fails to collect their child at the agreed time. However, the written procedure does not include any detail on the procedure that the childminder will follow if she is unable to contact the parents or anyone named as emergency contact. Required documentation is kept up-to-date. Resources and activities meet children's developmental needs well.

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the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to gain an understanding of difference. For example, she provides a variety of books and toys that reflect positive images and she raises children's awareness of different beliefs, foods and clothes. In discussion, the childminder explains how she will ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and English as an additional language are met, for example, by obtaining as much information as possible about each child's individual needs from parents and by agreeing with them how they can work together to meet these needs. The partnership with parents is good. Information displayed or provided in folders includes a range of written policies and procedures, information on the childminder and her family, a first aid training certificate, Criminal Records Bureau clearance forms and Ofsted contact details. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive

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the early years provision

links with other early years providers in order to ensure continuity of care and learning for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress and the childminder is clear of her responsibilities with regard to ensuring that all children are challenged effectively. The range of resources and activities meet their needs well. The childminder has developed good systems for obtaining information from parents and for recording children's achievements. Children are confident, settled and happy and their independence is promoted effectively as opportunities for them to choose and select resources are good. Children play cooperatively and they are learning to share and take turns.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good manipulative skills as they mould dough and play with a variety of small resources that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. They confidently match and name a range of shapes and colours as they play and they spontaneously recite numbers. The childminder encourages children to count with one-to-one correspondence and recognise numerals, initially to three and then to five. Children use mathematical language. For example, they identify that as they look through binoculars their building bricks look smaller and then bigger when they turn the binoculars, around. They talk about the big tower that they are building and stretch their arms out wide to indicate how big their birthday cake will be.

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and outcomes for children

Children make marks in a variety of ways. They make patterns in dough with cutters, and use their fingers to make marks in foam, jelly, sand. Children can choose from a range of writing materials and they draw enclosed shapes with crayons. They use their own hand as a template and carefully draw around their fingers. Books are always easily accessible and the childminder regularly takes children to the local library. Children express themselves confidently and the childminder encourages their vocabulary and thinking as she asks open-ended questions. They enjoy singing and joining in with the actions to songs. Children's creativity is addressed well as they choose art and craft activities and begin to develop their imagination in their play. They are encouraged to explore and investigate. For example, they notice the changes as they mix ingredients whilst baking cakes and cookies, and they talk about the changes in the park in

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe and the childminder uses books effectively to support their learning. Children learn how to walk on pavements safely, use of the pedestrian crossing, and that they must stop, look and listen before crossing the road. They gain an awareness of stranger danger and the possible risk from dogs and other animals. Children learn how to protect their own health, for example, good hygiene practices and healthily eating. The childminder provides snacks, a light lunch and a healthy, substantial tea. Children are active and they practise climbing, riding and ball skills at the park and at toddler groups. 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 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 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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