Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/08/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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

 Teaching is good. This is because the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She provides a wide range of activities that are interesting and offer children challenging experiences.  The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. This, together with good relationships with parents, results in accurate assessment of children's development and progress.  The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care and to keep them safe at all times. She uses effective safeguarding procedures that support her to promote children's welfare competently.  The childminder is keen and enthusiastic. She monitors her childminding service to make continuous improvements for the children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Opportunities for children to freely access books throughout the session are limited. The location of the book area restricts the availability of books outside.  Strategies to engage parents in their children's learning at home are not yet fully developed.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 the children engaged in different activities.  The inspector held a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the children's assessment records and planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked the childminder's qualifications, evidence of suitability and her policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2014 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and two children aged 12 months and three years, in a house in Rugeley, Staffordshire. The whole of the house, except for the main bedroom on the first floor, are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog. There are currently four children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range and they attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and some weekends, except for family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 extend opportunities for children to further develop their literacy skills, for example, by providing a selection of fiction and non-fiction books in the outdoor environment

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

 develop further strategies to engage parents in their children's learning at home.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She gathers information from parents and uses this alongside her own initial observations to identify children's starting points. Each child has their own learning journey where observations, photographs and next steps are collated. The childminder uses this information to plan activities based on the individual child's next steps, interests and play preferences. As a result, children are happy and actively engaged. Children are able to choose from a good range of age-appropriate resources. The childminder has systems in place to monitor and assess children's progress and identify any areas for development. Significant achievements by individual children are recorded as 'wow moments' and contribute to their learning journey. There is regular verbal communication with parents and a communication book provides information about the activities their child has

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who attend

enjoyed during the day. Parents are able to look at their child's learning journey and take it home. As a result, parents are kept well informed of their child's learning and development. However, strategies to engage parents in supporting their children's learning at home are not yet fully developed. The childminder is aware of the requirement to complete the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years and has prepared appropriate documentation. The childminder is enthusiastic and provides a broad range of activities and experiences based on children's individual interests and stage of development. She understands how to extend activities and challenge children's thinking by providing open-ended resources and playing alongside the children. For example, there are large boxes with an assortment of materials and props, which the children can choose from to construct and develop their

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who attend

imagination. Communication and language skills are effectively taught. The childminder's interaction with the children is good, as she gets down to their level, gives them lots of eye contact and uses gestures to reinforce words. She chooses activities to engage the children and provides opportunities to extend their vocabulary. For example, children play with ice using spoons, forks, tweezers and other resources placed in the ice. Children are encouraged to feel and describe the ice as well as using the tools to support their physical development. The childminder talks to the children constantly, describing what they are doing. She extends vocabulary and uses carefully chosen questions to develop their understanding. There is a cosy reading area with a good range of books inside. However, this is not fully extended to the outdoor learning environment, to further strengthen the children's early literacy skills.

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who attend

Children develop mathematical skills and coordination, as they enjoy playing outside in the sand pit, filling and emptying containers. They work together to fill a bucket of water from the hose pipe before adding water to the sand or transferring water using large trucks. Children have access to a wide range of tools in the sand pit, enabling them to investigate and solve problems. They develop their imagination, as they play with dolls that they make pretend are poorly. Children use real bandages to wrap around the dolls and use tools from the doctors set to pretend to take their temperature or give them medicine. There are opportunities for children to draw pictures on the easel using chalks or make marks in the gloop. This develops their early writing skills. Regular trips to local playgroups and the park enable the children to mix and socialise with larger groups of children and adults outside of the home environment. This helps to prepare children for

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who attend

the next stage in their learning at school.

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

The childminder offers a comfortable, inviting and child-friendly environment. There is plenty of space for children to play and rest. Children are at ease in the childminder's care and share warm relationships with her and her family. During a settling in period, information is gathered from parents about their child's likes, dislikes, routines and particular needs. This enables the childminder to plan the day to meet the needs of all the children and results in a positive and smooth move from home into the childminder's care. Consequently, children's emotional development is well met.

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

The childminder supports children's developing independence. They are encouraged to manage their own personal hygiene and put on their shoes and sun hats by themselves. Resources are well organised and easily accessible with clear labels depicting words and pictures. Children are able to move freely between the indoor and outdoor environment. The outdoor environment has a wealth of opportunities to support their physical development and investigation skills. Children enjoy playing on the water wall. They pour water from a variety of containers down the maze of bottles and pipes. Children observe the water as it moves along pipes before catching it in a container as it comes out of the other end. The children are able to take risks while the childminder closely supervises them. For example, children climb the ladder on the slide and carefully position themselves to slide down it, or negotiate the steps which lead into the garden.

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

Consequently, children develop independence, self-belief and the confidence to try new things. These skills prepare children effectively for the next stage in their learning. Before meals, children are encouraged to wash and dry their own hands. They sit together to enjoy a healthy snack, while the childminder sits beside them and encourages the children to socialise by talking about things they enjoy. They have access to their own drinks throughout the day. Children requiring a sleep are provided with a bed or travel cot with their own clean sheets. They are monitored regularly as they rest. Daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise are provided for the children, as they play in the garden or go for walks in the local environment. Therefore, children's health and hygiene are well promoted.

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

Children's behaviour is good. They are gently reminded of rules and boundaries appropriate to their age and stage of development. They learn to be kind to each other, share toys and tidy away. The childminder encourages the use of good manners. She acts as a positive role model for the children at all times. Positive behaviour is supported by the childminder praising their efforts, which boosts children's self-esteem and confidence.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has completed safeguarding training and understands the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. The childminder has policies and procedures, which reflect the practice in the setting and are shared with parents. The childminder is very conscientious about keeping children safe from harm and ensures they are protected and closely supervised at all times. For example, safety gates are closed to prevent access to the stairs and kitchen. Written risk assessments are in place, which clearly demonstrate how the childminder addresses any potential hazards. This ensures children's safety is promoted at all times. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities when administering medication and treating minor accidents as she holds a valid first-aid certificate. All adults living in the home have been

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provision

appropriately vetted and any visitors are signed in. As a result, children are safeguarded and protected.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. She understands how children learn and what she can do to support their learning. She is well qualified and experienced in child care. Through careful planning and monitoring, she ensures that children receive a broad range of experiences that suit their individual needs. The childminder monitors progress, ensuring that children have the opportunity to develop skills across all seven areas of learning and to identify any gaps, which she then plans for. The childminder is reflective and undertakes self-evaluation. She takes into account the views of others, such as, the local authority advisor to formulate her plans for development. This demonstrates her commitment to continually improving her practice in order to best meet the needs of the children in her care. For example, she aims to create treasure baskets and provide more sensory activities.

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provision

Relationships with parents are good. They are warmly welcomed into the setting and have positive relationships with the childminder. Parents receive information about their child's activities during the day and their views are regularly requested. All important information, such as her certificate of registration, is displayed for parents to see. The childminder is knowledgeable about working with other agencies and professionals, and understands the procedures to follow if additional support is required to enable children to succeed and achieve.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY474605 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 956408 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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