Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348414 Inspection date 18/10/2011 Inspector Lynne Milligan

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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 seven and 10 years in a semi-detached property in Kidsgrove, Stoke- on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom facilities are used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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

Most areas of practice within the childminder's setting are good, with some satisfactory. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a generally good range of policies and procedures. Her ability to promote partnerships with parents enables her to form supportive and valued relations. The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. Children's achievement is monitored well which enables them to make progress across the early learning goals.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the written risk assessment to include details of who conducted it, along with any actions taken as a result of an accident (Documentation) 28/10/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given and ensure records indicate which medication is being administered (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 28/10/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the range of activities to help children learn from the earliest age to value diversity in others and grow up making a positive contribution to society  revise the planning so as to offer a more balanced range of both adult-led This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and child-initiated activities which require a learning intention to secure a evaluation of whether targets have been achieved.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are mostly robust and understood well by the childminder. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child protection agencies. Adults within the home are suitable to either work with children or be in close proximity to them as the childminder maintains Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks and attends training on a continuous basis. Regular checks throughout the week identify any immediate risks, whereas lengthier written risk assessments identify most of the potential risks. Details within them measure a variety of hazards around the home and garden, but do not indicate who has carried them out or any action taken resulting from accidents. This is a breach of the regulation. Regular fire drills allow children to become aware of the exits should they need to vacate the building. Children's health is generally well maintained. Written procedures, which include

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the early years provision

medication and sickness, indicate that she is willing to take children who have minor ailments, such as coughs and colds, and administer all types of medication. Blanket written consent forms signed by parents authorise the childminder to give children a range of medications that include antiseptic sprays, paracetomol-based products and medicated creams. However, her consents generally group these products together, therefore, written prior permission is not gained for each and every medication before it's administered which is a breach of a legal requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity. Practice in general is mainly targeted at the older children as they explore cultures and religions through a basic range of activities that include card making or food tasting. Younger children, however, have less opportunity to gain anything meaningful out of these celebrations as they are not methodically thought through or tailored to their age and stage of development. Partnerships with other settings the children may attend are developing well, with links made early on to ensure staff become familiar with their potential pupils. Parents are kept well informed of their child's daily routines and progression as they have free access to their files, along with regular updates from the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to improve. She has attended numerous courses since her last inspection that induce paediatric first aid, safeguarding, food safety and transitions. Advice and guidance from other childminders, her early year's development officer, parents and children are all used to evaluate her practice. She has firm plans for the future and is keen to provide a consistently good service. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress across the early learning goals. The childminder pays close attention to each child's starting point which she then uses to form a general assortment of interesting and fun activities. Children regularly attend the local play group which is where most of the activities take place. At home, the relaxed, less structured approach allows children to freely access resources of their choice and take their play in a direction that suits them. Areas of interest feed their involvement as children play with favourite toys. Topics that suit their immediate needs, such as princesses, allow children to take their learning to a higher level, encouraging conversation and contributing to their emotional development.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily receive a balance of both indoor and outdoor play, visiting many local attractions that begin to develop their understanding of their community. Parks with large equipment aid children's ability to adopt a healthy attitude to exercise as they climb, balance and run around exploring the green spaces and fresh air. Children problem solve and use numeracy skills as they fit jigsaw pieces together, matching each section to the picture on the box. Support offered by the childminder prompts children to think of other ways of completing their puzzle and encourages lots of conversation which adds to the enjoyment.

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and outcomes for children

Records kept by the childminder show parents the range of activities she offers, along with the amount of fun their children are having. Short, simple observations, completed after the activity offer some insight into approximately where and how children are developing. Overall, though, it is difficult to see exactly where children are progressing and how this is linked to her planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's responsibility for keeping themselves safe is fostered well by the childminder who encourages their confidence in assessing hazards and ways in which to manage them. Under close supervision, children are reminded of how to behave whilst crossing busy roads or as they climb a little too high on the steps to the slide. The childminder uses a sensitive approach to build children's self-belief as they work out how they are going to stay safe whilst building on their physical skills. Behaviour is suitably managed as the childminder reinforces firm but fair rules, dealing with any issues swiftly and with sensitivity. Children happily negotiate and confidently work out their differences, which enables them to develop good relationships, share and take turns. Their healthy lifestyles are maintained to a good standard as the childminder provides a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet along with copious amounts of fresh drinking water. Secure

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and outcomes for children

procedures limit the risk of cross-infection, with areas and equipment safe and clean for children to enjoy their time with the childminder. 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 3 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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