Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY366212 Inspection date 23/06/2011 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 who is registered as an assistant and their three children aged six, seven and eight years in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The location is convenient for schools, shops and park. The ground floor and two rooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an 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 under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, may care for no more than seven children under eight years; of these, not more than four may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year at any one time. There are currently 10 children attending, all of whom who are within the early years age range. All of the children, except for one, attend on a part-time basis. 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 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have access to a variety of toys and resources which help them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their child's daily routine and activities and obtains relevant information with regards to their individual needs. Policies and procedures are generally effective and documentation is stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improvement. However, she has not ensured that all legal requirements are met with regard to adhering to the conditions of her registration.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessments system to inform planning and identify the next steps in children's development  develop further the range of resources to promote children's understanding of the wider world, with particular regard to disabilities  develop further the record of risk assessment to include each specific outing. 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 has a sound knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures for child protection. She has attended training to update and extend her knowledge in this area of child 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 the childminder conducts daily checks to ensure her home is safe for children. However, the record does not include each specific outing to ensure children's safety is fully protected. 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 suitable for their purpose.

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the early years provision

The childminder is calm, patient, caring and a good role model for children. She works well with her husband who is a registered assistant. As a consequence, children are at ease with both adults and positive, warm and affectionate relationships between them and the children are evident. The childminder has started to undertake the process of self-evaluation to assess the impact of her practice on the outcomes for each child. However, the childminder is caring for more children in the early years age range than her conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion, the provider did so and Ofsted intends to take no further action. The childminder stated that she will rectify the issue immediately and inform parents of the action taken to ensure the conditions of registration are adhered too.

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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 regarding children's individual needs. The childminder establishes a good two-way flow of verbal and written information with parents. Communication books ensure that they are fully informed of their child's progress and care routine. Parents are provided with a variety of policies covering all aspects of the childminding service. The childminder is methodical in her approach to paper work and as 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 and has formed effective links with the local school and children's centre.

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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 routines are well met. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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. However, the information gained from the observations is not sufficiently used to monitor children's progress and to help plan the next steps in children's learning. Photographic evidence and samples of children's work is well presented in

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and outcomes for children

individual books and shared with parents on a regular basis. The childminder aims to ensure that children always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. This builds children's self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being independent as they help themselves to the toys and resources. They enthusiastically join in with role play, pushing the dolls around the playroom. Children show great excitement pressing buttons on pop up toys to see what happens next. They have planted tomato seeds and frequently join in baking activities to help develop their natural curiosity. Children love taking part in craft activities such as printing, painting, collage and play dough. There are plenty of books to help develop their early reading skills and children are provided with opportunities through the daily routine to develop their mark making abilities. Children are encouraged to improve their simple problem solving skills through daily activities, for example, they count crayons, bricks and regularly join in with number rhymes. Children are learning to respect each other and have access to a variety of resources that provide positive images of other cultures, including books,

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and outcomes for children

dolls and posters. However, resources are limited with regard to helping raise children's awareness of people with disabilities. Children benefit from a range of activities outside the childminders home. They visit the local park, museum and children's centre. Children are developing skills for the future as the childminder understands how to offer technology to the children. They seek out a toy laptop when copying the visitor using one and show delight when using binoculars, telephones and musical toys.

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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. They are offered a range of nutritious meals and snacks which help raise their awareness of healthy eating. Fresh drinks are freely accessible to ensure children remain hydrated. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual dietary needs and that these are met. Children are provided with plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills and have access to a good range of outdoor toys and equipment. 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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