Childminder, Out-of school day care in Shropshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/02/2013 07/07/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides a comprehensive range of activities with appropriate challenge for the children in order for them to make good progress in their development. Imaginative and creative resources results in consistent progress from their starting points.  Children are content and happy in the warm, welcoming environment where they form strong relationships and develop good behaviour, social and independence skills to prepare them for the transition to other settings.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. Well-established routines support children's personal care skills well.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to improve opportunities for children to recognise numerals in their environment so that children's mathematical skills are further enhanced.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the conservatory and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder, co-childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journals, documentation and the self- evaluation form.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2011 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband who is also her assistant, in a house in Shrewsbury. She also works with a co-childminder. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has two cats as pets.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 15 children on roll, nine of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Shropshire Childminding Network.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance the organisation of the environment to promote children's learning in mathematics, for example using numbers on labels, posters and signs.

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who attend

Children are happy and content at the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. They are keen and confident learners as they quickly choose what they would like to do from a range of activities and resources available. A broad educational programme is in place which helps to promote children's learning through play. Planning is flexible and linked to the children's interests and topics through termly themes. All children are making good progress as they enjoy a comprehensive range of activities to challenge their development. Parents are kept fully involved in their child's learning through regular updates from the childminder and by sharing their 'learning journey' records.

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who attend

Children regularly join in creative activities, such as cooking, collage, painting and drawing. Some of their artwork is attractively displayed within the playroom, which helps provide them with a sense of belonging. Equality of opportunity is well-promoted, and children have access to a range of resources and activities which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. For example, photographs of banana trees growing in a child's grandparents' garden in Uganda causes great interest and excitement. Children talk confidently about paintings that they have done, for example, their self-portraits which hang from the ceiling. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the setting. They regularly visit a local National Trust property to look at the seasonal changes in the grounds, as they begin to explore an awareness of features of the environment.

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who attend

Challenge appropriate to children's age is skilfully introduced through access to a laptop and a tablet computer to give them more instant access to educational software and the world beyond. A digital microscope is available which can be used with the laptop to show the children close ups of insects, seeds and even the dirt on their fingers as they begin to understand technology.

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who attend

The childminder knows the children well and supports the specific areas of learning for the older children with activities and resources that she knows they enjoy and will also provide challenge. For example, they enjoy the scales as they use the teddies to compare weight. However, there is scope to improve children's opportunities to see and access mathematical resources as these are not fully embraced within the setting. The childminder skilfully supports children's independence to do things for themselves, such as allowing time in routines for children to look after themselves, put their coat on and access the toilet independently. As a result, children are gaining the skills necessary to prepare them for the next stage in their learning and to be ready to move on to school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn from a young age about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe through skilful support from the childminder. Older children learn about their own safety through everyday routines and when walking back and forth to school. They learn about fire safety and regularly join in practising the fire evacuation procedure. This ensures they know what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder and her co- workers are consistently good role models and provide clear guidance for children to ensure that they know what acceptable behaviour is. Consequently, children are well behaved and know and understand the boundaries within the setting, as they share and take turns with the toys.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are helped to enjoy their food and are encouraged to learn good table manners. They enjoy a healthy snack and lunch time meal which is freshly prepared as they all sit together. The childminder discusses children's individual dietary needs and preferences with parents during settling-in time and ensures these are fully met. Settling-in procedures are flexible and realistic to ensure each child feels comfortable and confident in the childminder's home when making the transition from home into her care. As a result, children form strong secure bonds with the childminder, her co-childminder and assistant in this welcoming setting.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

There is a stimulating, well-resourced and welcoming environment, both indoors and out which enhances children's all-round development. Children enjoy outings to the local parks and they develop their understanding of a healthy lifestyle and extend their physical skills as they play in the playground.

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provision

The childminder provides children with a challenging and interesting environment to allow them to make good progress in their learning. She uses the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to guide her practice and links observations to the seven areas of learning. The educational programme is effectively monitored by the childminder on a regular basis to ensure that children are making good progress in their learning and development.

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provision

Children's safety is given high priority. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures which are in place to enable her to provide a safe environment. Effective risk assessments and a daily check list are used to identify and minimise risk to children in the home and out in the community. In addition, closed circuit television cameras are placed around the home to ensure that the childminder is able to monitor and observe the children at all times. Safeguarding and welfare requirements are fully understood by the childminder and implemented consistently to ensure children remain safe.

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provision

The childminder has established good relationships with parents. She uses the information on the 'All about me' form that they complete to build on and plan for their child's individual needs. Communication sheets, newsletters and daily feedback to parents ensure that they are kept fully informed of their child's achievements at the childminder's setting.

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provision

The childminder works closely with the local school where children attend. She links with teachers and shares information on a regular basis to ensure that parents are fully aware of their children's progress. The childminder has started to review her practice using the Ofsted online self-evaluation format. Parents' views are sought through regular questionnaires to enhance and improve the service provided. Comments from parents include, 'We are always made welcome and communication is effective. We are regularly kept in touch with key events and observations and always feel we can rely on the judgements made'. The childminder is fully committed to develop and improve the effectiveness of the quality she provides. She continues to seek out and attend training courses and events to enhance her delivery. She is part of the Shropshire Network and is an accredited childminder offering free early education to three- and four-year-olds.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY419215 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 851985 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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