Childminder in Staffordshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY218577 Inspection date 20/11/2008 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 2003. She lives with her husband in Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum six children at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, six children are within in the early years age range and cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder works with two assistants. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary Childcare Register. Access to the childminder's home is at ground level. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends pre-school groups. The family has three cats and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides highly effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works extensively with parents and has well developed links with other providers to ensure all children's specific needs are met. Children are settled, relaxed and respected as individuals by the childminder and her assistants. The provision is organised to enable inclusion in all activities for all children and to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder has enthusiastically developed her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets all of the specific legal welfare requirements. The planned activities are innovative and progressive.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children have space for free movement and well-spread activities  ensure the daily record of attendance clearly shows when minded children are present.

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provision

Children's care, safety and welfare are actively promoted because the childminder regularly updates and extend her skills. She has an early years Level 3 qualification and currently attends workshops on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Records, policies and procedures that support the childminder to promote positive outcomes for children are generally well maintained. Parents regularly provide updated, detailed information on their children's needs to enable the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to plan and provide care and learning that is tailored to each individual child. But the daily record of attendance does not always record when children are present. The individual children's early years folders are well developed and freely available to parents. Daily aspects of care and welfare are recorded in the children's weekly folders together with information about activities children are engaged in each day. The folders are taken home for parents to record home news and achievements. This contributes to parents becoming involved in their children's learning at home.

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provision

Children's welfare is nurtured extensively within the home. The childminder protects children from harm or neglect as she has a solid understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures and signs and symptoms of abuse. Adults within the provision have undergone the effective vetting procedures which ensures they are suitable to have regular contact and care for the children and further promote their safety. Safety and fire detection equipment is fitted to both levels of the home and there is a close circuit television surveillance system. Risk assessment records on areas within the home and outings are detailed and ensure the children are always safe. However, children are not always provided with sufficient space for free movement and free access to a range of activities.

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provision

The childminder has developed substantial detailed systems to monitor and evaluate the provision and she frequently discusses with parents, assistants and network childminders where improvements are necessary. For example, she has compiled an extensive self-evaluation form on her service which states all procedures are under continual review and information is shared with other providers. This is used to monitor continuous improvement and to inform future plans. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their children's care as they are provided examples and photographs of their children's work. Parents comment on the provision, and these comments show how parents value the high standard of care and learning given to their children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder proactively promotes children's welfare, learning and development. Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves healthy because they have frequent opportunity for both physical and outdoor play activities. They routinely follow the good hygiene practices such as being helped to wash their hands before food and enjoy their nutritious healthy snacks and packed lunches. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are taught road safety on frequent walks and take part in regular evacuation drills. Play spaces are planned and arranged to enable children to choose and participate in a wide range of stimulating activities that meet their play and development needs. Young children are comfortable and readily settle to sleep in their pushchairs in a safe quiet area of the home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's self-esteem and well-being are positively fostered as the childminder sees the children as individuals. She adapts her plans for learning and care to take account of children's home learning experiences and likes and dislikes as discussed with their parents and other providers. Children are generally able to independently access a versatile range of toys and equipment to help them make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good progress in their personal, social and communication development as they observe their peers and learn to share and play together. Early numeric skills develop as they help to weigh cake ingredients and count cars and steps when out walking. Children listen attentively and enjoy interacting to puppet-books such as 'Calm down Boris' and using the 'real' mobile 'phones to have imaginary conversations which support them to develop their communication and reading

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children celebrate a range of festivals and dress-up in Turkish and Indian clothes to further promote their understanding of the wider world. They discover the natural world both inside and outside the home on frequent walks to collect leaves and playing in the garden. Children visit the local playgroup to interact with other children and develop their social skills. The childminder has comprehensive plans of activities and makes detailed observations and assessments to clearly show the next steps for children's learning and evaluate her own practice and the children's progress. The childminder regularly praises and congratulates the children on their progress and achievements to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Older children react positively to the childminder's high expectations for good behaviour and help to plan and arrange their own activities. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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