Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437012 Inspection date 29/05/2012 Inspector Mary Henderson

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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 works with her mother who is also a registered childminder at her mother's address in Newcastle near Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor is used 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 no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll within the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority. The childminder holds a recognised level three early years qualification.

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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 develops strong relationships with the children and their parents. Communications between the childminder and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are sound and ensure consistency and continuity in children's learning and development. Most systems to evaluate the provision are in place thereby ensuring children's progression towards the early learning goals. Safeguarding is a priority at the setting and includes risk assessments and comprehensive policies and procedures. The capacity to make further improvement is good. Most systems to make good use of the local neighbourhood to ignite children's interest and promote friendships are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 make effective use of resources in the local neighbourhood  ensure parents are fully included in the self-evaluation processes of the setting.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a good understanding of the policies and procedures to be followed. All adults are suitably checked and vetted. The risk assessments undertaken to ensure children's safety include all indoor and outdoor areas and all outings involving the children. This ensures children's safety and well-being. Positive relationships between the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the parents have been developed well to ensure children's needs are identified and met. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to develop relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of available space, toys, equipment and resources at the setting to enhance children's current interests and meet their needs. This promotes children's learning and development towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a sound understanding of, and commitment to, supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The self-evaluation systems in place include areas of strength and areas for further improvement on an ongoing basis. The systems include input from the children through observations and discussions and the identification of children's current and ever changing interests. However, the systems do not yet fully include all parents on roll.

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the early years provision

Engagement with parents is good. There is verbal and written two-way exchange of information to ensure each child's needs are fully identified and met. The parents have free access to their child's learning and development profiles and they are fully informed about the Early Years Foundation Stage through discussions and documentation. The parents have free access to the policies and procedures of the setting at all times. This keeps them fully informed about the provision.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy are beginning to find out about their environment, identify features and notice the natural world. They like to visit the local dingle to feed the ducks, notice the changing seasons and search for insects in their environment. They also like to collect natural materials including twigs, acorns and leaves to take back for their treasure baskets. Children's counting skills are enhanced as they visit the local shop to choose green or red apples and count how many they need to take back for snack time. The children enjoy regular visits to the local park to use large equipment, such as the climbing frames and roundabouts. Children's physical skills are further fostered as they run around in the garden, dig in the soil and ride around on scooters and trikes. Children's interest in their local neighbourhood is not yet fully supported by the childminder, as they do not yet visit the local library

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and outcomes for children

to choose their own books. Also, children's social skills are not fully extended as they do not yet have opportunities to attend toddler groups such as those provided by the Sure Start Children's Centre.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn about personal safety while on outings as they learn to cross the road safely under close supervision of the childminder. They further their understanding of personal safety as they practise the fire evacuation procedures with their peers and the childminder on a regular basis. Children show they feel safe and secure in their environment as they interact positively with their peers and the childminder seeking assurance and assistance when they want it. The children are beginning to show they are confident and choose freely from the broad range of resources that are easily accessible in their play areas. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also show they feel confident in their environment as they laugh and giggle with one another and the adults caring for them.

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and outcomes for children

Children recognise the importance of a healthy lifestyle and those things which contribute to this. They know to wash their hands before mealtimes and after visiting the toilet as they do this during everyday routines. They chat about healthy food during meal times. Children have lots of daily opportunities to be in the fresh air.

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and outcomes for children

The children's problem solving skills and skills for the future are extended as they build using construction toys and put together puzzles and begin to work things out for themselves. During planned activities and child-initiated play times children use paints and crayons to make marks and create their own pictures and do this both indoors and in the garden. Their sense of belonging is fostered well because their art work is displayed for them in their play areas. The children like to be involved in a range of imaginary activities. They put the dolly in the trolly and wrap it up in a blanket and they like to use the toy vacuum cleaner on the carpets during pretend time.

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and outcomes for children

The children are beginning to understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs. They play with a range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity, including positive images of disabled people. They explore various festivals around the calendar year through books, stories and creative activities. 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 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 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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