Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 209689 Inspection date 21/09/2011 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 1985. She lives with her husband in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with the exception of the conservatory, dining room and rear lounge. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for two children in this age group. She also cares for several older children who attend before and after school and in the school holidays.

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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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress as they take part in lots of interesting and rewarding activities that are fun and help to promote their learning and development. They are happy and settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are known and met. Good relationships are in place with parents and the childminder has forged effective links with other professionals. Current systems used for self-evaluation are not fully effective and not all required paperwork is in place. However, the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is able to implement procedures promptly and correctly should she have any concerns. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment and a variety of measures are in place to promote their health and safety. For example, hazardous materials are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stored out of reach of children and unused electric plug sockets are fitted with safety covers. The childminder maintains and reviews risk assessment records and carries out daily visual safety checks on her home and any resources used for minding. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted and children are only released into the care of authorised individuals. The childminder has devised a range of clearly written and fully inclusive policies to support her practice and on

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the early years provision

the whole, documentation is maintained well. However, children's welfare in the event of an emergency situation is potentially compromised because she has not obtained written parental consent from all parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for their children. This is a breech of the welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

Children flourish in the childminder's care. The well-organised and welcoming environment that she provides creates an atmosphere that is conducive to both learning and having fun. Children have plenty of space to play and rest and resources are plentiful and of good quality. Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder has formed good relationships with them and their parents. Several parents provided letters to contribute to the childminder's inspection and these contained lots of positive comments. For example, they comment on her calm and caring manner and the effective strategies that she uses to encourage children's good behaviour and manners. The childminder treats all children with equal concern and value and respects children and families from all backgrounds. She is not currently caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those who speak English as an additional language but

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the early years provision

has clear systems in place should she be asked to do so. Some of the children in the childminder's care also attend other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and she is aware of the value of working in partnership with staff at these settings to support individual children. She talks to children about their day and exchanges appropriate information with staff in relation to children's welfare and progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and is keen to promote the best possible outcomes for the children. Since her last inspection she has attended a variety of training courses and this has improved her knowledge and understanding of relevant subjects. Also, she has enhanced children's independence and freedom of choice by improving toy storage methods and making a wider range of toys more accessible to them. The childminder regularly networks with other childcare professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. She has started to evaluate her practice and is constantly assessing what she provides and how it could be improved. However, systems for doing so effectively are not fully developed and do not successfully take into account the views of others. Consequently, her ability to effectively identify her strengths and priorities for improvement is somewhat impeded.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points because the childminder knows them really well and is intuitive to their individual needs and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 personalities. She watches them and listens to what they have to say and records some of what she observes and hears. She talks to their parents and asks them to share what they know about their children. This information is then thoughtfully used to assess children's progress and to plan for the next steps in their development and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in a wealth of fun experiences that interest them and help them to gain the skills they will need in future life. For example, children go on regular outings to local community groups and through mixing with other people their social skills and confidence are developing well. They are learning about the wider world as they participate in activities based around a variety of cultural and religious festivals. Children access the childminder's computer and play with interactive toys and this teaches them about technology and how it is used. Counting is threaded through most activities and children enjoy looking at books and singing songs and nursery rhymes. Children smile and laugh and show by their actions that they are at ease in the childminder's care. They happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support and she is warm and affectionate towards them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is effectively assured as they follow good hygiene procedures and eat healthy meals and snacks. Parents provide most of the food eaten by the children and this reflects their requirements and children's needs and preferences. The childminder provides guidance around healthy eating and talks to children about food that is good and bad for them. They have planted strawberries and tomatoes in the childminder's garden and through this have gained an understanding of what plants need to grow and thrive. Children are learning about the benefits of an active lifestyle as they enjoy lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They frequently play outside in the childminder's garden and go for lots of walks in the local environment. Children learn about road safety on these outings and this is reinforced through everyday discussion and experiences. Children practise emergency evacuation procedures and are aware of the house rules that

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and outcomes for children

are in place to protect their health and safety. For example, they know not to climb on furniture and to take their outdoor shoes off when inside. Children behave well and good manners are evident. 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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