Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431920 Inspection date 09/03/2012 Inspector Becky Johnson

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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 daughters aged 16 and 20 years in Hereford. The premises are fully accessible and there are public transport links, schools, pre-schools, shops and parks nearby. The whole of the ground floor of the property, with the exception of the lounge, hall and spare bedroom is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two cats as 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. She is also able to offer care to older children before and after school and during school holidays. There is currently one child in the early years age range on roll. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently working towards a qualification in childcare at level 3 and local authority accreditation. The childminder receives support from the local authority and 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 are well cared for in a relaxed and homely environment by a childminder who understands and responds to their individual needs. They make good progress in all areas, although systems to record and plan for the next steps in their learning and development are not yet fully embedded. The childminder provides a wholly inclusive provision and all children are valued and made to feel special. Positive relationships with parents are fostered to identify and support children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care. The childminder is able to identify areas for improvement, although formal systems to support this practice are not yet in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of information gained from observations and assessments to more effectively guide the planning  develop further the quality and improvement processes to monitor and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. 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 has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. She has completed the first two levels of safeguarding training and fully understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns regarding children's welfare. She is vigilant in ensuring children's safety both within the home and when on outings. She is able to clearly identify any potential risks to children and can successfully describe methods she has implemented to ensure that hazards are minimised. Resources are utilised effectively to provide children with choices and to maximise and support their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows obvious enjoyment in being with the children and they benefit from her knowledge and experience. She is committed to providing a high level of care and education and is currently working towards obtaining a qualification in childcare at level 3. She regularly attends additional training and implements any new found knowledge to improve the outcomes for children. The childminder reflects on her practice and is able to identify areas in which she needs to make improvements. Although, systems such as the use of the Ofsted self- evaluation form are yet to be fully implemented to ensure that her practice is regularly reviewed and improvement is sustained. All documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and welfare is in place. A range of policies and procedures enhance and support the childminder's good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents. She works cohesively with them to develop consistency between home and childminding environments. Information is shared on a daily basis both verbally and through the use of an expressive two-way daily diary. This ensures that children's individual needs are routinely met. Parents are happy with the service that the childminder provides. They comment that they have every confidence in the childminder and that children are very settled and have become more sociable since being with her. The childminder understands the need to develop and foster links with other professionals. She has developed strategies that she will implement to share information should a child attend more than one setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in this warm, caring environment where they benefit from good support and encouragement to enjoy and achieve. Children are obviously very happy and secure in the childminder's care. They interact positively with her and actively seek her out to participate in activities, for example, when looking at pictures of the cats and playing with the farm animals. The childminder is very much aware that children learn through play and the daily routines are planned to ensure that children have fun and enjoy the time they spend with her. She encourages them to choose activities for themselves and has an effective balance This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of child- and adult-initiated play to further enhance children's learning and development. The childminder is successful in identifying and addressing differences in children's individual learning and development needs. Her flexible

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and outcomes for children

planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they are able to participate in a range of activities that they enjoy. Effective systems are in place to observe and evaluate children's progress, although the childminder does not consistently make the best use of this information to guide the planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement at all times. They develop positive attitudes to learning because the childminder shows an interest in everything they do. She is always close at hand with support and praise for every achievement, no matter how small. Children especially enjoy spending time outdoors in the fresh air. They regularly play in the garden and rush excitedly to put on their boots, hats and coats. They help to feed the fish, look at the frogspawn and play happily in the sandpit building castles. They visit the local park where they experience a variety of equipment such as swings, slides and climbing ropes to promote their physical well-being and skills. Children's language and literacy skills are developing well as they look at flashcards of different objects and listen intently to the stories read to them by the childminder. Children develop

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and outcomes for children

their creative and imaginative skills through a range of craft and role play activities. They make and decorate trees from branches to represent different seasons and festivals, such as Easter. They make musical instruments and masks and paint pictures of characters from their favourite nursery rhymes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. They learn about personal hygiene and how to keep healthy as they wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. They learn about the importance of eating healthy foods. They grow a variety of fruit and vegetables, such as, runner beans, tomatoes, peppers and cucumber, which the childminder turns into healthy home cooked meals. Children respond to the childminder's methods of behaviour management. They learn simple ground rules that are age appropriate and are encouraged to play together, use good manners and say sorry if they upset their friends. Their understanding of how to keep themselves safe is promoted as they learn how to use equipment correctly and recognise the importance of road and water safety. Children demonstrate their feelings of security and express these as

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and outcomes for children

they play confidently and give out lots of spontaneous cuddles throughout their play. The childminder has a good understanding of inclusive practice and all children are valued and respected as individuals. She has incorporated this awareness within her policies to identify that some activities, such as the use of the paddling pool, may not be acceptable to other cultures or faiths. The time the children spend with the childminder is a fun, enjoyable and enriching experience. As a result of the childminder's support and attention children thrive within a loving and nurturing environment and develop skills that help to lay firm foundations for the future. 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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