Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY424003 Inspection date 19/09/2011 Inspector Diane Hancock

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her child aged four in the St. Peters area of Worcester. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is a sloped driveway up to the premises with a small step at the front door. The family have no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range at any one time. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to take and collect children to and from local schools and nurseries and makes use of local facilities, such as, toddler groups, parks, shops and library. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and happy as they have a positive relationship with the childminder and her daughter. They thrive from the wide range of activities within the home and local community and make good progress across all areas of learning. The individual health and care needs of children are very well catered for. The welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are nearly all met. The childminder has very good working relationships with parents and those with other providers and professionals are beginning. The childminder has a detailed self-evaluation and makes ongoing changes, such as implementing an emergency plan, demonstrating a high capacity to improve.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 attend a childminding registration training course approved by the local authority (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills). 29/02/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop close working relationships with other early years practitioners and professionals from other agencies when appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe environment with well-organised storage of good quality resources and thorough risk assessments in place. The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children and is fully aware of procedures to follow if she was concerned. The childminder has all appropriate checks in place and has informed Ofsted of her recent house move. Children are well supervised and often receive individual attention. The childminder makes good use of the toy library to meet individual interests and needs.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder offers a very professional smoothly-run setting with detailed policies and procedures. Thorough hygiene and hand washing procedures are in place. The children's individual health care needs are extremely well catered for with care plans where appropriate. Individual sleep routines are very well met and sleeping children are monitored. The childminder carefully plans for each child's learning and development needs. Regular formal observations and assessments are carried out on all young children identifying their next steps in their learning.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents are extremely well informed through discussion, detailed daily diary with routines and achievements, a noticeboard and copies of documentation. Parents comment on her range of activities, how well children settle and her flexibility. They work closely with the childminder informing her of the care the children receive at home, other nurseries and information from professionals, such as, physiotherapists ensuring consistency of care. However, with improved liaison, working together with other providers could be improved to enhance children's continuity of care.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has not attended a childminding registration course within six months of starting work. This is a breach of their conditions of registration. On this occasion Ofsted does not intend to take any further action. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development from other childcare qualifications. The childminder undertakes comprehensive self-evaluation and identifies improvements, such as, sharing the children's learning journey books with parents and undertaking further training to extend her service. The views of parents and older children are actively sought.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children's abilities and interests well through thorough gathering of information and assessments. She plans exciting and stimulating activities, including heuristic play with everyday items and sensory play with pasta. Children are enthusiastic and active learners and readily explore the resources. They have security from everyday routines, such as, snack time, playing outside, story time and sleep. Children's independence from a young age is encouraged as they learn to feed themselves and access toys, such as, dolls, books, bricks and cars to meet their interest. Babies learn about different mathematical concepts as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they play with the stacking beakers and shape sorters. They develop their fine motor skills with jigsaw puzzles, drawing and inquisitively pressing buttons on musical baby toys. Creative skills are encouraged through painting and collage

p.5

and outcomes for children

activities often planned around a theme. When learning about 'under the sea', children make fish pictures and visit the pet shop to look at fish and play in the paddling pool. Songs and stories often relate to the theme, such as 'wheels on the bus' in preparation for an outing on a bus. Parents receive information regarding children's new skills, such as, clapping and songs they have learned where babies learn to point to their nose. Parents are very well placed to continue this learning at home and be involved as they work very well together. Children enjoy singing, including at the library and positive interaction from the childminder, as she promotes and reinforces new words. Children begin to develop an appreciation of books as they eagerly listen to stories in a calm environment. All these skills will help prepare children for their future lives.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of the world through activities. For example, they enjoy shopping for their snack or baking ingredients, or posting their drawing home at the post office when they learn about the post van. Babies make good progress as they learn to play alongside one another and develop their social skills as they attend toddler group, when it is appropriate. Children have a good sense of belonging as their work and photographs are displayed. They are well behaved with good manners and respond well to the childminder's routine and guidance, including through use of pictorial posters. They learn to keep themselves safe as they practise regular fire drills, walk nicely home from school and help tidy away toys.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Young children make very good progress in their physical skills as they are supported to learn new skills, such as climbing the ladder of the slide and crawl through a tunnel. Children enjoy the exercise and fresh air with regular trips to the park and playing in the garden. They enjoy the football goal, ride on toys and get engrossed with digging in the container with soil. They learn about healthy eating as they take an interest in gardening and eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in nutritious snacks and meals. Babies learn from a young age the importance and routine of washing hands. The use of individual flannels and kitchen roll prevent cross-contamination. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8