Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435988 Inspection date 04/07/2012 Inspector Elaine Hayward

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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 partner and child aged five years in Hereford. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding with use of a bedroom for sleeping babies and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has fish and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age range who attend part time. She also offers care to children aged over five years and takes and collects children to and from local schools. The childminder makes use of local facilities including toddler groups, parks, shops and library.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an appropriate level 3 qualification 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 happy and secure in the childminder's care. They experience a wide range of activities enabling them to make good progress in almost all aspects of their learning and development. The childminder knows each child very well, recognising their uniqueness in order to meet their individual needs. All requirements are in place. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure continuity of care. She effectively reflects upon her practice in order to ensure continuous improvements and enhance her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand the range of resources to reflect diversity in order to further support children's understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear knowledge and understanding of her role in safeguarding and the actions to take should she have concerns about a child. She is secure in her knowledge to ensure that effective vetting procedures are in place and with regard to supervising the children in her care. The childminder is clearly aware of potential hazards, with full risk assessments for her home and outings in place. These are regularly reviewed to ensure children's safety. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is highly motivated, enthusiastic and totally committed to providing a high level of care and education to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. She has previous experience of working with children in a nursery. She is well qualified and is committed to enhancing her provision by gaining further qualifications as well as attending additional training. Her practice is well

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the early years provision

supported by a clear and comprehensive range of policies and procedures. These are regularly reviewed and shared with parents. The childminder organises the environment and her daily routines successfully. She provides a wide range of good quality resources, although the range of resources to reflect diversity is not wholly extensive to enhance children's understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively reflects on her practice, understanding her strengths and weaknesses. She identifies areas for improvement and the action to take in order to improve outcomes for children. The childminder promotes equality and diversity through good practice, encouraging children to respect themselves and others. She gets to know each child very well, forming close bonds with the children. This is well supported by close working relationships with parents who are involved from the start in their children's learning through informative learning journals. They are kept informed of their children's activities through daily discussions and written summaries plus comprehensive daily diaries children if parents wish. Parents are full of praise for the childminder and the provision for their children. The childminder works closely with other professionals and settings that children attend to enhance outcomes for children and ensure continuity of

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel safe and secure with the childminder as she gets to know them, their likes and routines in order to meet their individual needs. They are happy and confident as they benefit from good support and encouragement to achieve and enjoy. The childminder provides them with a calm and caring environment. Lovely warm interaction is evident as she rocks children to sleep and has their favourite comforters when they awake.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive ongoing praise and support for their achievements. The childminder responds as young children point when they hear a helicopter. They go to the window to see if they can see it. They respond as she talks about the helicopter and reinforces names and words. She encourages their independence as they access their favourite toys at their level. They have their own spoon to feed themselves at mealtimes when the childminder talks about the foods they eat and lovely warm interaction again can be seen with smiles and laughter.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a childminder who gets down on the floor to play with them. She naturally brings in counting, numbers, colours and positional language. There is fun and laughter as toys disappear and reappear. Young children are totally absorbed and involved as they play with the wide range of electronic toys. They know which buttons to press or turn to get their favourite sounds. They dance on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their bottoms to their favourite songs with broad smiles on their faces. The childminder ably supports older children in learning their phonics and all children access a wide range of books in her home and from the library.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the importance of healthy foods as they grow and pick vegetables and fruit in the garden. They are fascinated by the wildlife section, watching the wild flower seeds grow, feeding the birds and examining bugs in the soil and bug box. They learn to care for animals on farm visits. They love to visit woods and be creative, making mud sculptures. The childminder understands the importance of physical play as they visit parks and open spaces. She understands how to support young children who are learning to walk. Children extend their social skills as they visit local children's centres and childminding groups, learning about boundaries and sharing. They learn about respect as they follow the house rules and about diversity and the wider world as they celebrate festivals. They are creative and use their imagination as they celebrate Chinese New Year, the Queen's Jubilee and the European football cup, dressing up, making flags and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands that children need to feel happy and safe, and that they learn through play. Children are well supported by a childminder who knows them so well. She confidently observes and assesses what children can do, planning the next step, providing valuable and exciting experiences and activities. Her actions and responses clearly promote children's feeling of self-esteem as they play and learn in the child-centred home. As a result, children are motivated to achieve and develop positive attitudes to learning, making good progress towards the early learning goals given their age, ability and starting points. Children are clearly enabled to become independent, active and inquisitive learners, helping them develop skills 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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