Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418682 Inspection date 29/09/2011 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 Rugby, Warwickshire with her partner and their two year old child. The whole of the ground floor and three bedrooms are registered for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet 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 five children aged under eight years at any one time and of these, two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for five children and of these, three are in the early years age group and attend on a part-time basis. 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 (NCMA).

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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

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is strong. She promotes children's care needs well and meets their individual developmental needs effectively. Health and safety systems are generally good, although, the risk assessment does not include everything. The childminder makes sure that all children are valued and included and information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. All policies and procedures are shared with parents but the complaints procedure does not include all up-to-date information. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and her commitment to continue to monitor and extend her practice within her childminding, supports the development of children's care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the complaints procedure to include the required response timescale for written complaints and correct address for Ofsted  make sure that the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact; with specific reference to cords on blinds.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment. Potential risks in the ground floor play areas, the garden and on outings are identified and addressed well and all are included in a risk assessment record. However, children's safety is not fully addressed because cords on blinds in registered This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 bedrooms have not been made inaccessible. Necessary checks for the childminder and her family have been completed and she 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 abuse. Parents are made aware of thorough Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board information, National Childminding Association (NCMA) information and the childminder's own safeguarding procedure.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of self-evaluation. She is currently using the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help her identify priorities for improvement and values the support of local advisors. The childminder has been caring for children for only three months and her current priority is to ensure that her system for observing children and assessing their progress is fully effective. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving her knowledge and skills and is considering training courses provided by the local authority. Resources are chosen for their quality and durability and the childminder makes sure that they meet the different developmental needs of children well. Toys are maintained in a good state of repair.

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the early years provision

Information provided for and obtained from parents is good. The childminder shows parents documentation to support the suitability of herself and members of her family, training certificates and a full range of written policies and procedures. The complaints procedure identifies most of te required information including contact details for Ofsted. However, the address for Ofsted is no longer correct and parents are not informed that if they complain in writing the childminder must respond to them in writing within 28 days. The childminder seeks the views of parents about the provision, verbally and in a questionnaire. They are asked if they feel the childminder is approachable, if she is committed to providing equality of opportunity and enough multi-cultural resources and if toys are age/stage related. Parents are asked if they feel that the childminder organises a wide range of activities and if her setting is welcoming, safe, clean and hygienic. Parents are

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the early years provision

asked to add any other comments and all parents respond very positively. Parents have easy access to their child's observation and assessment records.

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the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to gain an understanding of difference, for example she provides a range of resources that reflect positive images. In discussion, the childminder explains how she will ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities 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 childminder has not yet had any experience of working with other early years providers, but she is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links in order to ensure continuity of care and learning. 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 obtains information from parents on what their child knows and can do and she records children's achievements and uses information to plan next learning steps. Personal, social and emotional development is strong. Children are happy and settled. Their independence is promoted effectively as opportunities for them to choose and select resources are good. Young children learn to share and take turns and show consideration for others. They play happily alongside each other and are beginning to play together, particularly in role play situations. Children use their imagination as they play with dough. They mould the dough with their hands and then roll it out and use cutters to make biscuits which they then put in the toy oven to cook.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good manipulative skills as they play with a variety of resources that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. They choose and name different colours and practise pencil control as they draw and colour-in with crayons. Books are always available. The childminder promotes children's thinking and vocabulary as she asks them open-ended questions. Numeracy and problem solving is addressed well as the childminder supports children as they enjoy planned and spontaneous activities. Young children match and post shapes into boxes and learn to name the shapes and colours as they do so. The childminder encourages counting with one to one correspondence as she helps children to do up buttons and put on shoes. Children compare amounts, for example when they have sweets as a treat and they count to make sure that they each have an equal number.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from learning and play opportunities through visits and outings. They enjoy trips to the local shops and the childminder talks with them about the purpose of the trip. For example, to select and buy different fruits and then bring them home to find out how they feel, smell and taste. Children purchase bananas, apples strawberries and grapes. They count how many pieces of fruit they have and then divide the fruit equally between themselves and then help to cut up the soft fruit. They talk about the colour, smell, taste and texture. Children learn how to keep themselves safe and a risk assessment in pictures for outings helps them to realise possible dangers, for example, in the park. They learn how to cross the road safely, how to protect themselves on a hot and sunny day, and how to travel safely in the car. Children learn good hygiene practices and healthy eating. They enjoy 'free flow' access to the outdoor area where they play with a range of

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and outcomes for children

resources. They visit a local park where they are able to practise skills whilst using challenging climbing and sliding equipment that is suitable for children at different stages of development. 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 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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