Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434673 Inspection date 04/07/2012 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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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 two children aged two and 11 years in the Thornton area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Her partner is also a registered childminder and they work together. The ground floor and first floor of the home are used by the children and there is an enclosed yard for outdoor play. The childminder lives close to local amenities, including parks, shops and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum number of five children under eight, of these two may be in the early years age group. When working with the co- childminder, they are registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, all of whom may be in the early years age range, and of these; two may be under one year. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently three part-time children on roll, all in the early years age range.

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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

There are good systems in place to promote the welfare needs of children. A range of activities is provided and children make steady progress in their learning. Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory and children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder assesses the effectiveness of the setting on a basic level and the capacity to continuously drive improvement is adequately demonstrated to ensure that outcomes for children develop positively.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen the links with nursery where children attend to complement learning between the settings  devise an effective system for self-evaluation to improve outcomes for children  improve systems to help children increase their ability to select resources independently and make decisions, especially with regard to their awareness of the full range of toys which are available for them.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures and practices ensure that children are protected well. All adults in the home have had appropriate checks and the childminder has good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 awareness of potential indicators of abuse because she has completed safeguarding training. A record is kept of any visitors to the home during childminding hours. Suitable risk assessments are implemented effectively so that children remain safe. For instance, locks are fitted on kitchen cupboards so that children cannot access cleaning chemicals. The home is clean and well-maintained and children use individual towels to minimise the risk of cross infections. Records of attendances and accidents are precisely logged. The childminder has all necessary written consents from parents and holds a current first aid certificate.

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the early years provision

Children use toys and resources which are safe and suitable. They are able to choose to a degree what they play with because the childminder sets out a selection for them. However, many of the resources are kept in the garden shed or upstairs so children may not be aware of the full range available which limits their decision making ability and independence.

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the early years provision

Adequate means are employed by the childminder to evaluate and improve the service but there is no formal system for evaluating the service yet. She has only recently begun childminding and has rightly focussed her attention so far on building relationships with children and their parents. She seeks help and advice from the local authorities development worker and from other childminders. As a result she has improved her documentation and bought additional resources for children, such as air-drying clay for them use. The childminder is enrolled to do training for the new Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and to become a qualified practitioner to level 3. Parents confirm their satisfaction with the service verbally.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are satisfactory. The childminder keeps a daily diary for each child which she shares with parents at collection time. This includes information about what their child has been doing and activities they have enjoyed, and so development is shared between the settings. The childminder follows children's individual home routines so they settle with minimum disruption. To help further with settling one child who only attends one day a week, the childminder agreed with parents for them to stay and play for an hour at the beginning and end of the day. The childminder takes and collects children from nursery where they attend for half days, but she does not yet have a system in place to exchange information with the staff there in order to complement children's learning between the settings.

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and outcomes for children

The children make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder makes observations and assessments for children in the children's individual development records. These include what children are doing and their next steps for progression. The childminder has an awareness of the individual interests of children, such as their love of creative play and she provides a variety of art and craft materials for them to explore. One child had their face painted as a rabbit; the childminder suggests they might like to make some rabbit ears and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 asked them to think about how they might to do this. This promotes children's problem solving skills and, with the help of an older child, they make the ears using pipe cleaners and cardboard.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and have a strong bond with the childminder. She is very attentive to their needs, following home routines, ensuring they are relaxed and individual needs are well met. Babies sleep according to their individual needs and the childminder gives them a drink when they wake. Children learn self-care skills because the childminder allows sufficient time for them to put on their own shoes and fasten them with Velcro straps. They enjoy each other's company and are well-behaved.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches children very well about staying safe. She reminds children to pick up small sequins off the floor before the baby wakes in case the baby tries to eat them. Before going out the children comply with the childminder's request to wait at the gate until they are ready to set off. Healthy active lifestyles are promoted. The childminder gives children sufficiently nutritious meals and snacks which include dishes, such as beef and rice, and cereals with milk. She involves children in the preparation of food and discusses where food comes from. They begin to learn about the world around them because the childminder takes them to a local farm to see the animals and she buys her eggs and milk there.

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and outcomes for children

Space is suitable for the children's needs and babies develop their physical skills, pulling themselves up on furniture, improving their muscle strength. Children also have opportunities to balance, climb and move in a variety of ways, going to parks and on walks. This further promotes their physical development. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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