Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY248224 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Kath Harding

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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 1978. She lives with her adult child in Fenton, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has no pets.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. She 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 supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a network childminder.

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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 towards the early learning goals. A well-developed knowledge of each child's individual needs enables the childminder to successfully promote children's learning and welfare, with an area of practice being outstanding. She has a strong partnership with parents and strong links with other local providers. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and has good systems in place to evaluate her practice in most areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 support children's understanding of the wider world by expanding the range of resources to reflect the diversity of children and adults within and beyond the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She has attended training on safeguarding issues and has a safeguarding policy, which she shares with parents to ensure everyone is aware of her duty to protect the children in her care. She closely supervises children and knows of her responsibility to ensure that all people living in the house are suitably checked. The childminder visually checks the rooms before children arrive. Written risk assessments are undertaken, which include the different areas of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's home, garden, equipment and outings. This helps to keep children safe and ensure effective actions are taken to manage and eliminate risks. Children can access a well-resourced toy store where they are able to choose what they want to play with, encouraging them to become independent learners.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children very well and has a good understanding of issues relating to equality and diversity as she provides a service that ensures all children and their families are included and treated with concern and respect. Children are able to express their views and opinions, and these are used when making decisions about the planning of activities. The childminder undertakes regular observations of children's progress and links these into planning for individual children's next steps. The children's folders contain photographs, observations and artwork and show how children make good progress in relation to their starting points.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. Detailed information is sought from parents regarding their child's routine, care needs and particular preferences and interests, all of which are recorded and acted upon by the childminder in a consistent way. Photographs are displayed so parents know what activities the children have been involved in. Parents contribute their views and suggestions through questionnaires and informal chats in order to bring about future improvement. One parent requested text information, which is now in place. Parental comments include; 'the childminder is doing a fab job hence my child not starting nursery school as I want my child to remain in the childminder's care' and 'happy with the food provided and enjoy reading my child's progress file'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to and understands the benefits of working in partnership with others. She demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service. She obtains advice from other practitioners and development workers to help improve her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled, happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder places high priority on children learning about safety as she encourages them to risk assess their own play in a supportive environment with clear and consistent boundaries. They know that they have to be careful with toys containing smaller pieces when younger children are present. They discuss road safety when on outings and practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt excellent personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating, after using the toilet and after playing outdoors. They use individual towels and take note of the displayed poster encouraging good hand washing techniques, and they clean their teeth, promoting excellent personal care practices. The childminder makes exercise fun as the children take part in sports days, dance, play ten-pin bowling and go for walks in the local area, ensuring they get plenty of fresh air, exercise and stimulation. They develop an excellent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of the importance of healthy eating as they eat nutritious, well- balanced snacks and meals, while the childminder teaches the children the value of food and how it affects our bodies. They are involved in the 'Change for Life' programme and play games to encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle. They

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and outcomes for children

help themselves to drinks whenever they are thirsty.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts very well with children during their play and constantly chatters to them, listens to them and gives them to time think as she asks open- ended questions. As children play with the small world figures they act out familiar stories and line up the play people as they say they are late for school. They count everyday objects and enjoy putting items into sets, helping them to learn about categorising objects according to properties, such as shape or size. They complete simple number problems as they talk about how many people are at the childminder's house. They are encouraged to recognise words as they are displayed around the rooms. They gain a sense of time as they frequently talk about where they go on which day of the week. They plant flowers, watch them grow and tend them, learning about caring for living things. They enjoy singing along to the rhymes as they play happily.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well and are encouraged to use good manners at meal times. The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children, raising their self-esteem and building their confidence. They learn to value others and to begin to understand about the wider world. They take part in sponsored events, such as a bike ride, to raise money for others. They regularly visit the library, toddler sessions and a local cafe, becoming aware of their local community. 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 1 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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