Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440008 Inspection date 01/08/2012 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 partner in Burton on Trent. The whole of the property, with the exception of the master bedroom, is used for childminding purposes. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. The garden is not available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification. She is a member of the Staffordshire Childminding Network.

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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 make good progress as they take part in interesting and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. On the whole, toys and equipment are deployed well and children benefit from an attractive and welcoming environment. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are known and met. Friendly relationships are in place with parents and good links have been formed with other professionals to support partnership working. The childminder is constantly reviewing her service and demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop strategies to support children in making and expressing choices about their play and activities.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder affords a high priority to safety and her home is safe and secure. Risk assessment records are comprehensive and a variety of safety precautions are in place. For example, smoke alarms are fitted to both floors of her home and the radiator in the lounge has been covered to protect children should it become too hot. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of safeguarding issues and has attended relevant training. She knows who to contact should she have concerns and has a clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding policy. All adults in her home have been suitably vetted and children are only released into the care of authorised individuals. Documentation to ensure the safe and efficient management of her setting is maintained well.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and experience. She is keen to develop her service and has attended a variety of relevant training courses. For example, she has attended training in relation to food safety and supporting children's speech and language. The childminder effectively uses a range of methods to regularly evaluate and improve her practice. For example, she asks parents for their views, regularly reviews documentation and has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She recognises and uses her strengths and her plans for the future are effectively targeted to enhance children's welfare, learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder treats all children as individuals. Friendly relationships exist with parents and the childminder maintains regular communication with them. For example, she gives parents photographs that she has taken of their children and regularly talks to them about planned activities and their progress. Parents are given copies of her comprehensive written policies and procedures and the childminder asks them to share what they know about their children. For example, she asks for information about routines, needs and preferences and this helps her to provide consistency for the children in her care.

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the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the welcoming and attractive environment provided by the childminder. A cosy 'book corner' encourages children to look at books and displays of photographs stimulate discussion and enhance the environment. The childminder is not caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or who speak English as an additional language but demonstrates a very positive attitude towards doing so. She shows a good knowledge of support mechanisms and regularly meets with other professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. The childminder is a member of the Staffordshire Childminding Network and receives regular monitoring and support visits from her network co-ordinator.

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well in relation to their starting points. This is because the childminder knows the children in her care well. She works alongside their parents to provide an array of stimulating experiences that reflect their individual needs and interests. She regularly observes children and records and assesses some of what she sees. The childminder talks to parents and children to gain their views and thoughtfully uses what she has seen and heard to help inform her daily planning. Each child has a collection of learning and development records that include examples of their work, photographs of them involved in play and their observation and assessment records. The childminder regularly shares these records with parents and this supports children's learning both at home and in the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have access to a wide selection of resources that are clean, safe and

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and outcomes for children

developmentally appropriate. Toys are stored in various places throughout the childminder's home and she puts out a selection for children to choose from on a daily basis. Also, children are asked what they would like to play with and help the childminder select toys from a local toy library. However, effective strategies to support all children's independence and freedom of choice are not in place. For example, those children who may be reluctant or unable to express their wishes verbally. The childminder has started to consider some ways to address this and has begun to create a book, which will contain photographs of her resources. Also she intends to label her toy boxes with both pictures and words.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe and supportive environment. Warmth and affection is freely given and contributes greatly to children's sense of well-being. Routinely reinforced and practised hygiene routines effectively protect children's health. Meals provided by the childminder meet children's dietary needs and includes a wide range of healthy options. Children play outside on a daily basis and are learning about nature, alongside gaining plenty of physical exercise and fresh air. Children regularly visit parks, community groups and the local children's centre and these outings help to broaden their range of experiences and increase their social skills. Children are having fun and gaining many of the skills, which they will need in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a developing respect for themselves and others. They are kind and thoughtful and display care and consideration for others. The childminder provides children with a positive role model to follow and they receive plenty of praise for good behaviour, effort and achievement. House rules are pictorially displayed and gentle reminders and explanations from the childminder help to reinforce these. Safety is afforded a high priority and children are effectively taught to protect themselves through everyday experiences and a variety of thoughtfully planned activities. For example, they learn about road safety on outings and fire safety is reinforced through looking at books, role play and by taking part in emergency evacuation drills. 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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