Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY426589 Inspection date 21/11/2011 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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole of the property, except two bedrooms 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 chickens, birds and fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is 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. 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.

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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. The childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has good relationships with parents and she understands the benefits of partnership working in the wider context. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement. However, there are some minor weaknesses in systems that support the practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well-being with particular regard to the family pets  use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure all people living in the house are vetted. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden and outings. A daily tick list is used to ensure all areas are checked prior to the children arriving. This helps to keep children safe. However, risk assessments do not cover everything that children come into contact with, such as the pets.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this effectively to promote outcomes for children. The childminder has started to observe the children but as yet these observations are not linked into the six areas of learning to ensure progression towards the early learning goals. She creates a welcoming environment where resources and toys are accessible for children, helping to promote their independence. There is a selection of toys available to help promote children's understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents. She provides parents with regular verbal feedback, so they know all about their child's day and completes a diary of special moments for each individual child. Parents are provided with all the childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered. Some parental comments include: 'My childminder is fantastic as she is so flexible. we are very happy and it also very convenient'.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the benefits of liaising with other providers to ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service. She accesses training opportunities and obtains advice from other practitioners and support workers.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging, are settled and happy. The childminder encourages the children to learn about road safety as she explains the importance of this when on outings. They discuss stranger danger, so they become aware of the danger of talking to strangers. The children practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency. They are encouraged to use scissors correctly, so helping them keep themselves safe. They adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating, after playing in the garden and after collecting the eggs from the chickens. They use individual towels to reduce the risk of cross infection. A bowl of fruit is always available for the children and the childminder talks about sweets not being good for teeth, so promoting a healthy lifestyle. They are encouraged to brush their teeth after eating, so promoting good oral health care. They get plenty of fresh air and

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and outcomes for children

exercise as they go to the park and access a wide range of physical activities, such as a slide, swings, hoops, beans bags and sacks, in the garden area.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with children during their play and constantly chatters to them and emphasises individual words to encourage the development of children's speech. Lots of praise and encouragement is used by the childminder, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 so enhancing children's self-esteem and self-confidence. They learn to problem solve as they attempt to put the pieces into the puzzle and put the shapes through the activity centre. They plant tomatoes and sunflowers watch these grow and tend to them, so learning about caring for living things. They explore in the basket and empty the contents out and take the magnifying lens outdoors as they go looking for bugs. They are supported to walk as the childminder holds their hands. They press the buttons on the musical toys and delight when sounds are made. As they become tired they freely approach the childminder and snuggle in and fall

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and good manners are encouraged as the childminder role models respectful interactions. They have specific house rules and are encouraged to share the toys and resources. They learn to value others as they use toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They visit local amenities regularly, such as toddler sessions, the library and parks, so that children learn about their local community and learn to socialise. 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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