Childminder in StaffordshireOfsted inspection, 30 Sept 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349598 Inspection date 30/09/2011 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 and two children aged 14 and 20 years old in Stafford. The ground floor and small bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully 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 six children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for nine children. One of whom attends on a full-time basis. Three of the children attending are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and have formed positive relationships with the childminder. Toys and resources are well-organised and suitable to each child's age and stage of development. Plans are in place to develop records of children's development. However, they are in the early stages. Children are valued and their individuality respected. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and other practitioners to promote continuity of care for the children. Policies and procedures are effective and documentation is well-organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is committed to developing and improving her practice and demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. The implementation of a complaints policy ensures parents are informed of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedure to follow should they have a concern about the care or service provided. The childminder ensures children are safe and secure both inside and outside the home. She assesses risks to children and has put procedures and practices in place to minimise these at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated to providing a good level of care for children and their families. She demonstrates a commitment towards her own personal development and improves her knowledge by attending relevant courses and workshops. For example, she holds a foundation degree in early years and has attending various training courses. She uses this knowledge effectively to improve outcomes for children. Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision and its impact upon children's development and learning are effective to ensure that the children's individual needs are continually met. The environment, particularly the playroom is utilised to its full potential and resources are well-organised to enable children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder's flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in close partnership with parents and relationships are open, honest and trusting. This ensures a strong link between home and the childminder is maintained and promotes consistency of care. Parents are provided with a welcome pack of clear policies and procedures about the setting. They are kept informed of their child's progress and development through daily discussions and the children's individual folders are shared on regular basis. 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. She has formed positive partnerships with the local schools, pre-school, children's centre and other childminders to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met. Documentation is regularly reviewed and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is well-maintained.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home both indoors and outside, is organised creatively which appeals to children. It provides a range of learning opportunities which are easily accessible and encourage children to learn through play in a fun way. Children use a good range of toys and equipment, including household items to support enjoyable activities, such as planting spring flowers in old Wellington boots. The childminder helps children to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement, while managing their behaviour well. This helps build children's self-esteem. Good warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. They communicate easily with each other and this helps children to enjoy and achieve. Children are confident in initiating their own play and enjoy being independent, as they help themselves to a good range of toys and resources. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she

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and outcomes for children

knows the children well and carries out observations as they play. However, the information gained from the observations is not sufficiently used to plan to meet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their individual needs and next steps. Numerous photographs are available for parents to view and samples of children's work are attractively presented in individual folders. This ensures parents are fully aware of their child's daily activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore arrange of living things from plants in the garden to ducks and frogs in the local pond. They are provided with opportunities to investigate and explore their environment enabling them to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. For example, older children are encouraged to indentify wildlife using picture posters and younger children enjoy petting farm animals at the local outdoor centre. Children have access to a variety of books to help develop their early literacy skills and are provided with a good range of resources to enhance their early writing skills. They are developing skills in the use of programmable and electronic toys and have great fun using musical instruments. Children respond excitedly to a wide range of creative activities. They sing and dance, enjoy role play and explore paint, sand, water and play dough. They develop simple problem solving through construction play and thoroughly

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and outcomes for children

enjoy completing puzzles and joining in box games. Children are valued and are learning to respect each other. They have access to a variety of resources and play opportunities which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they participate in regular fire drills to ensure they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Through activities and daily routines, children become aware of healthy eating and are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks. The childminder helps them to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. Children are encouraged to sit at the table and meal times are treated as relaxed social occasions. Children are helped to understand that washing their hands before eating helps keep them healthy. Children are well- cared-for if they have an accident and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access to the garden on a regular basis where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to

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and outcomes for children

foster their good health. 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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