Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 210317 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Jacqueline Nation

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1998. She lives in Stone, near Stafford, within walking distance of local schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and this includes access to bathroom facilities. First floor rooms are not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently has eight children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range. All children attend on various days.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminders' support group that meets each month.

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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 enjoy their time with this dedicated and experienced childminder. She provides them with a caring and homely environment where they have a strong sense of belonging. The childminder ensures all children make good progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Inclusive practice is promoted well and effective partnership with parents ensures children's needs are met. While the childminder has not completed a formal self-evaluation of her provision, she has given good consideration to her strengths and areas of her practice that she would like to improve to benefit children. Most of the required documentation is in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 16/12/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the quality improvement system to monitor and evaluate the strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding children and is able to respond with confidence and knowledge to child protection concerns. Information is shared with parents so that they are aware of the childminder's role in protecting children. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home environment. Risk assessments are carried out and ensure any potential risks to children are promptly identified and minimised. The childminder ensures children are kept safe on outings and she talks to them about road safety. However, she does not carry out risk assessments for all outings undertaken with the children. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement and has the potential to impact on children's safety. Children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe through their play with gentle reminders of how to use equipment and resources in a safe way. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the

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the early years provision

children and older children confidently explain what would happen in the event of a fire and talk about dialling '999'. The childminder has appropriate recording systems in place with regard to the children's attendance, medication and accidents. Clear agreements and parental consents are in place relating to children's welfare and overall care. This ensures their needs are met and protection assured.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from being cared for by a friendly and experienced childminder who organises her day around the needs of the children. This helps them to feel secure and develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and is focussed on helping all children make good progress in their learning and development. Children have good opportunities to choose what they want to do, follow their own interests and access a wide range of toys and equipment which they enjoy exploring at their own pace. The childminder has a welcoming attitude to inclusive practice and recognises the uniqueness of each child. She has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs which supports their individuality. The childminder is not caring for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she fully understands the importance of working closely with outside agencies to ensure

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the early years provision

children's needs are met effectively. The childminder uses a range of resources, such as, books, dolls and play figures that reflect positive images of society. Children also take part in planned activities about different festivals and celebrations, such as, Diwali and Poppy Day; this helps them to understand about diversity and the wider world.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are successful and valued by the childminder. She develops close and trusting relationships with parents from the outset, gathering key information about children's needs and parents' preferences. There is a good two-way flow of information and the childminder keeps parents informed about their child's care, well-being and achievements through daily discussions. The childminder has made good links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This helps support individual children by ensuring information is regularly shared and used to promote their enjoyment and well-being. The childminder recognises the importance of sharing information with other providers This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to support children's continuity of care and learning. She demonstrates a commitment to ongoing improvement and has implemented the recommendations

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the early years provision

from the last inspection effectively. This promotes outcomes for children's health, well-being and supports information sharing with parents. The childminder has a good awareness of her strengths and areas for development to enable her to further improve outcomes for children. However, she has yet to formalise these ideas.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage because the childminder has embraced the framework and developed her knowledge accordingly. Children benefit from good interactions with the childminder and her well-developed understanding of how children learn through play and by having fun. Observation and assessment systems are in place and children's progress and achievements are recorded in individual folders which are shared with parents. This gives a good overview of children's progress towards the early learning goals in all aspects of their learning. Parents are also provided with a lovely range of photographs showing their child's enjoyment and achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are self-assured and their communication skills are fostered effectively. They have good opportunities to listen to stories, sing nursery rhymes and play circle games which they thoroughly enjoy. There are good levels of conversation and interaction as children play and the childminder asks them questions to make them think and reflect on the activities they take part in. Children talk about the story they have read, act out nursery rhymes, such as, 'Incy wincy spider' and use musical instruments with great vigour to march to the 'Grand old Duke of York'. There is good provision for children to practise their mark-making skills and they are encouraged to write their name on their art work. Problem solving skills are developing well as children access a range of puzzles and construction. They talk about colour, size and shape names during play and count cars and look at house numbers while out walking. Children explore and investigate how things work

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and outcomes for children

using a wide range of electronic toys, such as, toy lap tops, shopping tills and telephones. Their creativity is fostered effectively as they take part in a wide range of art and craft activities. They like to paint, draw and manipulate play dough. Small world resources help children develop their imagination. For example, they pretend to be doctors using a medical kit, make food and drinks in the role play kitchen and enjoy making up their own games, playing with dinosaurs and walkie talkies. Children learn about the world around them and they have very good opportunities to explore the local environment. They visit a local toddler and childminder group, enjoy walks along the canal to feed the ducks and visits to local places of interest, parks and the library. Overall, children are developing good skills to support their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are effectively supported as they have regular opportunities to be active and are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. The childminder takes positive steps to minimise the risk of cross- infection. Children are cared for in a clean environment and they learn about daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hygiene routines by washing their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. Appropriate action is taken if a child becomes unwell and the childminder can respond to accidents appropriately as she holds a current first aid certificate. Information about children's individual dietary needs is recorded and currently parents provide meals each day to meet their child's requirements. These are stored safely in the fridge until needed. The childminder provides a range of fresh fruit at snack time and children have regular drinks to help keep them

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and outcomes for children

hydrated. Good behaviour is promoted. Gentle reminders and appropriate strategies help children begin to understand there are rules and boundaries to keep them safe. The childminder encourages children to help tidy up, share and take turns and she gives them lots of praise and encouragement to help build their confidence and self-esteem. Children are developing confidence in their physical skills; they enjoy playing in the garden using a range of equipment and like to visit a local adventure play park. 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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