Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208377 Inspection date 04/10/2011 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children, aged nine and 15 years in Telford. The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school and walks to local facilities. The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under the age of eight years at any one time, and is currently minding seven children all on a part-time basis. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding, together with an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog, cat and hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an National Vocational Qualification at level 3 and a Cache level 3 in Child Care. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds the Quality First certificate. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and vountary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

The childminder provides a welcoming and child-friendly environment where children's learning is mostly supported through an excellent range of valuable first- hand learning experiences. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and benefit enormously from her friendly and caring nature. The childminder builds secure relationships with parents and effectively promotes inclusion which ensures children's individual needs are consistently supported. All required documentation is in place and well maintained. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude and commitment to continuous development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further planning to ensure learning intentions are clear and personalised  extend the opportunities for children to maximise their developing mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a very good understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child and knows the signs to look for. Robust vetting procedures are in place to ensure that all adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children and a record of visitors to the home has also been established. Regular risk assessments are completed by the childminder to ensure that the children are kept safe at all times This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 whilst in the home and outdoors. She has a number of safety equipment in the home to keep children safe, such as stair gates, fire blanket and socket covers. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who demonstrates a professional and committed approach to her role.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and how children learn and develop. She has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and as a result, children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Children access a wealth of resources which are stored at their level to encourage their independence and the childminder rotates these to prevent children becoming bored. The childminder effectively records ongoing observations of the children's progress, evidence is both written and through photographic evidence. These documents are shared with parents regularly, ensuring they are kept fully informed of their child's progress. The childminder ensures children's individual needs are effectively supported through exceptionally well-established daily routines and flexible planning. However, some of the learning intentions are not consistently clear for individual children. The

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the early years provision

childminder plans activities to encourage children's understanding about the wider world. Children engage in activities, such as celebrating Diwali and Chinese New Year, to ensure they have a positive view of the wider world. Well-written policies and procedures are in place and implemented to generally support children's well- being. The childminder is fully committed to building on her professional skills and knowledge by completing further training and by implementing a detailed self- evaluation system. The childminder works closely with the local school and nursery where children attend and share information about children's activities and progress, to ensure their transition is smooth.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive relationships that have been established between their parents and the childminder and from the excellent levels of individual attention that they receive. The daily exchange of information, both verbal and through written documentation, ensures that children's changing needs are consistently met. Parents are kept up-to-date with their child's progress as the childminder shares their individual learning documents on a regular basis. The childminder has spoken with the children about what to do in an emergency situation and children have several opportunities to take part in an evacuation drill. This means that they have a good understanding about fire safety.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carries out written observations of children while they play and uses these to ensure children achieve very well in their learning and development. The childminder is able to provide excellent challenges to promote individual learning needs based on what she knows about each child. For example, she introduces children to shapes and colours and simple counting through meaningful and familiar activities, such as counting familiar objects on the number chart. However, opportunities to develop their mathematical ideas and methods to solve problems are not fully maximised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder uses age-appropriate discussion and explanations to support children to learn about phonic sounds, such as letters of their names. Children enjoy an excellent range of role play, pretending to eat a picnic with soft toys. Children behave well because they know what is expected of them and receive lots

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and outcomes for children

of praise and encouragement, helping them to develop a clear sense of right and wrong. They use a range of books, toys and resources reflecting diversity, helping to develop their understanding of the wider world. Children are able to make an informed choice of the activities they want to play with. Toys are stored at low level in a dedicated playroom so they are able to access them safely and independently. The children have a very strong bond with the childminder and enjoy her company and ask her to participate in their play as they complete puzzles. Children experience a variety of exciting and stimulating outings which support their physical development and ensure they get plenty of fresh air. For example, children enjoy rock climbing, crawling up hills and rolling back down again. Children's learning and enjoyment is further enhanced as the childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to visit places of interest such as a

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and outcomes for children

local park, library and attractions, such as RAF Cosford and a local archaeological site and to see the micro pigs at the local garden centre.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is promoted during outings as the childminder reinforces safety issues with them. They gain an understanding of the dangers of traffic and how to minimise the possibility of accidents, through learning about the green cross code. Children are familiar with good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after using the bathroom and prior to meals. Their good health is promoted through the provision of nutritious snacks of fruits and raisins. Children remain hydrated as they have independent access to drinks throughout the day. 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 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 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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