Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438846 Inspection date 03/07/2012 Inspector Tracey Boland

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four years in Alvecote, Tamworth. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as the first floor front bedroom. Access to the setting is over a small step. 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may care for three children in the early years age group. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attends on a full-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and she plans for the next steps in their learning and development after observing and assessing their play. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's day and their individual care needs are incorporated into the daily routine. Required documentation is in place, including risk assessments and policies and procedures are shared with parents as necessary. Children have some opportunity to learn about similarities and differences. Systems for self-evaluation are not yet fully implemented although parents' views are sought verbally about the care their children receive.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the systems for the organisation of the setting to include ongoing effective procedures to evaluate the provision and implement areas for improvement  improve children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards diversity with particular regard to ability. 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 provides a warm, welcoming environment for the children and close relationships have been formed between her and the children in the short time she has been childminding. All required information is maintained by the childminder which enables her to meet their individual needs well. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her role with regard to protecting children in her care from abuse and neglect and a clearly written child protection policy is in place and shared with parents. Children are not left unattended with un-vetted adults, and their well-being is promoted at times of minor accidents as the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Fire evacuation procedures are in place and practised with the children so they are fully aware of the procedure to follow in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with written policies and procedures reflecting the childminder's ethos of care. Strong systems for communication are established and parents are delighted with the care provided. They feel confident that their child's needs are known and addresssed and are pleased how their children have settled into the childminder's home. The childminder supports children's learning with a variety of activities and toys that are appropriate for their age and abilities which are accessible and well maintained. Children play safely within the areas available to them and their personal care needs are well met. Older children's independence is encouraged although the childminder offers support as needed. Children benefit from healthy, freshly prepared foods which take account of their specific dietary needs and preferences and they gain plenty of fresh air through the time spent outdoors.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands how to establish clear working relationships with other professionals involved in children's lives when caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to ensure continuity of care. She understands how to establish links with other providers of childcare when necessary ensuring good systems for communication and helping children to progress in their learning. Children have opportunities to learn about diversity through the celebration of cultural events and resources that are available, however those reflecting varying abilities of people are not as well established so they do not enable children to gain a good understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of self-evaluation but the processes for doing this are still in their infancy. Time is spent talking to parents, seeking their views about the care provided although the information gained is not currently used to enable her to develop the service.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed close relationships with the children she cares for and has a clear understanding of their individual needs enabling her to provide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate care. She has a good knowledge of their personal care needs, routines and development and she plans a variety of play experiences to promote their learning. Observations are completed of the children which is reflected through photographs and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Resources support their learning as they are age-appropriate and provide plenty of challenge and stimulation. Children gain plenty of fresh air through walks in the local area and visiting parks and places of interest where they observe nature and use equipment which encourages their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's confidence and self-esteem are continually encouraged through the praise and positive reinforcement from the childminder. She is calm and consistent and gives both verbal and visual praise, using happy faces to show her delight to children. Older children learn to take turns and share. Younger children develop their skills when becoming mobile and the childminder ensures they have lots of opportunity to crawl and stand developing their large muscles. She notes the changes to their movements and ensures that activities offer plenty of challenge, for example, placing resources slightly out of reach, encouraging them to move.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy foods and snacks and sit together at the table to eat. There are fresh drinks available at all times and their dietary needs and preferences are known and respected. Older children enjoy cooking and developing their numeracy skills when weighing and measuring the ingredients and younger children become familiar with numbers when counting bricks. Children's social skills are continually encouraged at groups they attend during the week and interaction with the childminder and each other is lovely.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety within the home and when out and learn the importance of road safety. Children understand the importance of personal hygiene; washing their hands at appropriate times, such as after using the bathroom and before snacks. Nappy changing routines are sensitive to children's needs ensuring their comfort and dignity is maintained. The childminder follows suitable hygiene procedures to minimise the spread of infection. 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 3

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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 3 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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