Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358835 Inspection date 12/01/2012 Inspector Chris Hodge

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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 has been registered since 2007. She is an experienced and qualified (NVQ level three) childcare worker. She lives with her husband and six- year-old daughter, in a three bedroom house close to Woolwich Common in the London Borough of Greenwich. Shops, schools, pre-schools and parks are located close by. Children have use of the whole of the childminder's house, the main play space being the lounge and play room. The garden is not currently included in the registration. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, all of whom are part time. The childminder is a member of the Woolwich Common Childminding Network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a caring, welcoming and highly stimulating home environment, overall. Her very good professional knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage means that children are fully supported to make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development. Children's health, safety and well-being are significantly enhanced by the robust and highly consistent implementation of policies, procedures and extremely good practice. Excellent partnerships with parents and other early years professionals ensure that children settle well and their individual needs are consistently met. The childminder is fully committed to providing an exceptional high standard of care. She has an exemplary capacity for continuous improvement which she achieves through rigorous self-evaluation and networking with other childcare practitioners.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the garden in order provide a stimulating outdoor play area for children as identified through self evaluation

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children. She is exceptionally well informed about child protection issues This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and has a comprehensive safeguarding policy, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, that is shared with parents. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and all adults living on the premises have been appropriately checked and are suitable. Rigorous risk assessments for the home and outings, together with regularly practiced emergency evacuation procedures, help to support children's safety. All required documentation is in place and is professionally maintained. The childminder makes excellent use of the available space within her home. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development. An extensive range of play

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the early years provision

resources in the playroom and lounge, are very accessible to children. This encourages them to self-select what they want to play with and to become independent and active learners. The childminder promotes inclusion and welcomes all children and families into her home. Her resources include a wide range of positive images of other cultures. She establishes excellent relationships with parents and works in partnership to support children's individual needs and to enhance their learning and development. She has a very good knowledge of each child's background and needs through 'All About Me' record forms and verbal discussions with parents when a child first starts. Parents are provided with considerable information about all aspects of her childminding practice in a portfolio which includes written policies and procedures. A parent notice board offers a wealth of leaflets and information for parents including 'A Parent's Guide

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the early years provision

to the Early Years Foundation Stage'. The childminder shares information about each child's day and progress on a detailed weekly record form and at regular organised meetings. Although none of the children are currently attending other early years settings, the childminder has lots of previous experience of working in partnership with other early years professionals. The childminder is a very knowledgeable and experienced childcare practitioner. Since her last inspection she has been extremely proactive in ensuring that she continues to offer a high standard of childcare and education. She keeps abreast of the latest developments and initiatives in childcare by networking with other childcare professionals and by attending local and regional training days. Rigorous self-evaluation enables her to identify areas for future improvement. For example, she wants to increase IT opportunities for children and is planning to develop her

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the early years provision

garden into a stimulating outdoor area in readiness for the spring time.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely relaxed and very much at home in the childminder's care. They relate well to the childminder who is warm and responsive and demonstrates a very good understanding of their individual needs and preferences. The childminder knows the children well and supports them fully to make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development, in relation to their starting points and capabilities. She observes children through play and spending time with them during activities. The information gained about their interests, skills and abilities enables her to track children's progress towards the early learning goals and to plan activities which engage them and help them to make progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The activities children do fully promote their development in each of the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage and help them to gain skills for the

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and outcomes for children

future. Children feel safe and secure and display extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem because the childminder builds their confidence through familiar routines, positive relationships and high quality interaction. They show great curiosity and are inquisitive and active learners as they confidently free-flow between the highly stimulating play room and lounge. Children are developing very good language and listening skills because the childminder constantly talks to them and takes time to listen to their responses. They confidently use language to express their thoughts and ideas and to organise their play. The slide-show photographic display on the laptop in the playroom encourages children to chat about past outings and activities. Children are gaining a love of books and are learning how to handle them carefully and to turn the pages correctly. They have easy access to an extensive range of good quality books which they enjoy

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and outcomes for children

choosing from. They become fully engrossed when listening to and joining in with their favourite stories, read to them by the childminder. Children interact well with one another as they use their problem solving skills to connect the train track and play with the train. They have excellent opportunities to practice their early writing skills using an extremely large chalk board in the hallway. The childminder effectively uses routines and activities to encourage children to develop mathematical concepts such as counting, number, colour and shape recognition. During the week children enjoy regular outings to various groups where they have great fun socialising with other children and take part in activities different to those provided at home. Children also benefit from trips to farms, zoos, shops, the library, parks and woods to help broaden their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Indoors they celebrate different festivals such as 'Chinese New

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and outcomes for children

Year' to help them learn to respect and value diversity. Children's health, safety and well-being are significantly enhanced by the robust and highly consistent implementation of policies, procedures and the childminder's exceptionally good practice. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment and are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. They learn the importance of personal hygiene routines such as hand washing and teeth cleaning. They know to use their individual colour-coded hand towels and liquid soap, which help prevent cross-infection. They have many different opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities, helping them to gain a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise, as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children can rest during the day and colour-coded blankets are provided to match children's coloured towels. This not only helps children to learn

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and outcomes for children

their colours but more importantly it means that bedding is not shared. The childminder promotes healthy eating and offers children a healthy balanced diet with meals cooked freshly each day. She is fully aware of children's special dietary requirements and provides children with fresh fruit as snacks and home grown vegetables. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages children to develop their social and independent skills. Children behave in a very positive manner because the childminder constantly promotes their self-esteem through lots of praise and encouragement and by setting clear and consistent boundaries. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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