Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/05/2014 18/10/2011

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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

 Teaching is good because the childminder plans activities that are challenging and interesting. As a result, children are motivated to learn and their concentration is good.  The childminder completes comprehensive assessments and tracking of children's learning. This enables her to support children well in their progress towards the early learning goals.  Children's emotional well-being is fully supported through the close relationships developed both with children and their parents. The ongoing exchange of information and the clear settling-in process ensures that children's needs are met effectively.  The play environment is stimulating and there is a wide range of easily accessible resources to develop children's curiosity. The detailed risk assessments and daily visual checks completed ensure that all areas are safe for children to use.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to enhance parents' involvement in their child's learning through the sharing of the systems for tracking children's progress and providing more ideas for activities at home.  The childminder promotes children's thinking skills through the use of open-ended questions, although, she does not always ensure they have sufficient time to respond with their ideas.

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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 a planned activity and discussed the teaching and learning taking place with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the children and the childminder at regular intervals throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed all relevant documentation including children's development files, observation and tracking procedures, policies and self-evaluation documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and training certificates.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers from information and feedback included in parents' letters and cards.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 years in a house in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom on the first floor and the rear garden and side driveway are used for childminding. The childminder attends a toddler group and activity centres each week. She visits the shops, library and park on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools. There are currently five children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and 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:

 enhance parents' involvement in their child's learning by; sharing the systems used to track children's progress and providing more ideas for activities in the home to support children in making even more rapid progress

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

 maximise opportunities to develop children's thinking skills through ensuring enough time is given for them to respond to open-ended questions.

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who attend

Teaching is good and this ensures that children are progressing well towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides a wide range of challenging and interesting activities that cover the seven areas of learning and meets the needs of all children. The childminder clearly understands how to promote the learning and development of young children and puts this into practice as they play. For example, she is constantly on the child's level to support them and role model activities. As a result, children concentrate well and stay on task to complete the activities. The childminder engages with children well, encouraging them to explore their own ideas and uses many open-ended questions to develop their thinking skills. However, on some occasions she does not give enough time for them to answer and share their ideas first before she offers an explanation. There are good processes in place to observe and assess children's learning. During the initial

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who attend

settling-in period discussions are held with parents about what their child can do and this gives a baseline on which the childminder can build. She assesses and records the children's level of development against the early learning goals during their first few weeks of attendance and each term. The childminder observes and assesses children's learning on a regular basis to identify their current skills and interests. There are clear next steps in their learning identified and the childminder considers these when planning the wide range of activities. As a result, children are making good progress given their starting points. The childminder promotes parents' involvement in their child's learning through sharing the completed observations and the progress check at age two. She offers parents a few ideas for activities they can take part in with their child at home, such as the providing the words for favourite rhymes to sing together. However, there is scope to extend these

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who attend

arrangements to encourage parents to support their children's learning further.

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who attend

The childminder's skilful interactions with children support them well in becoming confident learners. She offers a secure base to the younger children. This enables them to explore the environment and resources, knowing that they can always go to the childminder for a cuddle when they need to. Children's language skills are promoted well through some play activities. The childminder asks children 'What have the animals been doing all day?' as they play with the farm. This encourages them to explain their thoughts and ideas. She introduces new words, such as squeeze and zig-zag when they explore the dough and encourages the sounding out of initial sounds with the younger children. Children sit very well to listen to a story and show much interest as they ask questions about the pictures. There are ample opportunities for children to develop their understanding of mathematics. Younger children are encouraged to count the stacking

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who attend

beakers putting them on top of one another and they show great delight when they knock them down. Older children count to 10 confidently as they make marks in the dough using the varied tools available. The childminder ensures that children learn the correct words to describe shapes, introducing new words, such as cylinder when they build with the blocks. To prepare children for school, she encourages them to write their name and ensures they are confident in their self-care skills. For example, they are able to put on their own coat and shoes to play outside.

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who attend

The many opportunities provided to visit places of interest develop children's understanding of the world well. They go to the library and the local park on a regular basis. Their social skills are enhanced through the weekly visits to the toddler group where they mix with children of a similar age. There are a number of electronic toys for children to explore. Younger children enjoy pressing the buttons and listening to the sounds while older ones listen attentively so that they can answer questions. The childminder plans a wide range of sensory experiences. For example, the children use fruit shape cutters in the dough and learn how to roll, press and mould it into different shapes. Sand and water is provided outside and children regularly paint and use different materials to create their own pictures.

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

The childminder has strong relationships with the children. Consequently, they are happy and very settled in her care. She is very alert to their needs, giving comfort to younger children when needed and ensuring their needs are met well. For example, nappy changes are carried out sensitively and children are settled down for a sleep before they become upset. This ensures their emotional well-being is supported effectively. There is a clear settling-in process, with parents encouraged to stay with their children during the initial visits and then leaving them for a short period of time until they are confident to be left. This ensures that they settle quickly into the childminder's care and enables them to feel emotionally secure. There are comprehensive documents in place to record all necessary information for the child and parents, such as any allergies the children have and who can collect the child. The childminder obtains written consents from parents to ensure that

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

children are cared for in-line with parents' wishes. For example, parents are asked to consent to the seeking of any emergency medical advice, playing on large outdoor equipment and applying sun cream. This helps the childminder to ensure that children's safety and welfare is promoted to a high level. The childminder is proactive in preparing children emotionally for when it is time for them to move to school. She takes the children on walks so that they can see the school building and talks to them about what to expect when it is their time to go.

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

Children's personal, social and emotional development is promoted very well. The areas used by children are very stimulating and there is a wide range of resources. They are stored in material containers in storage units, which children can easily access. This develops their independence and enables them to make choices about their play. Their independence is further enhanced during routines. They use the step to go to the toilet by themselves and are encouraged to carry their empty plate and cutlery to the bowl. Behaviour is managed very well. Children are encouraged to play together and to be caring towards younger children when they are developing their walking skills. The childminder uses praise well as children play and this helps to raise their self-esteem. She works in partnership with parents to manage any behaviour issues, for example, using stickers as a reward in the child's daily diary. Children learn to take responsibility for

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

keeping themselves safe through the clear routines implemented and the childminder is vigilant in keeping them safe from harm. The childminder ensures children understand road safety procedures, encouraging them to look and listen for cars before they cross the road. Children know that they need to go out of the door and walk along the driveway to the end, when a fire drill is practised.

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

There is a strong emphasis on helping children to develop a healthy lifestyle. The childminder regularly takes children out in the fresh air for walks and visits to local parks. There are ample opportunities for the children to develop their physical skills through the many visits to activity centres and there are bikes and balls available for children to use in the outdoor area. The childminder provides healthy and nutritional snacks and meals. Children sit well to eat their apple at snack time and their sandwiches with cucumber at lunchtime. The childminder ensures that good hygiene routines are always followed and the home offers a very clean environment for children to play in.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a secure understanding of child protection procedures. There are detailed safeguarding policies in place that she can refer to and these include the relevant contact details for the local child protection agency. This helps to ensure children are protected and kept safe from harm. All areas of the house are safe for children to use and the childminder is vigilant about ensuring doors are kept locked. The risk assessments are thorough and cover all areas including any outings undertaken. Daily visual checks are undertaken. Children are carefully supervised and when they play outside on the driveway a padlock is fixed to the gate to make the area secure. This ensures children can play safely at all times. Suitability checks are in place for all persons over 16 years to ensure

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provision

their suitability to be in contact with children is assessed. Records are all accurately maintained and successfully underpin the childminder's practice. These include the attendance register, accident and medication records and children's registration forms. Consequently, the childminder as appropriate systems in place to promote children's safety and welfare is to a high level.

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provision

The childminder is very clear of her responsibility in meeting the learning and development requirements and shows a very good commitment to improving the quality of care and education offered to children. Since the last inspection she has undertaken a level 2 qualification in childcare and is currently working towards her level 3. In addition, she has continued to ensure that her paediatric first-aid certificate remains current and has attended safeguarding training. As a result of the training, the childminder has vastly changed how she observes and assesses children's learning and progress. There are clear links to the areas of learning and the developmental age bands are included. This enables the childminder to monitor whether children are meeting the expected levels of development for their age and to identify if any interventions are needed. Consequently, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. There are clear

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provision

systems in place to evaluate practices and promote continual improvement. The childminder has documentation to demonstrate what her strengths are and has identified areas for improvement. She is part of a childminding group which meets regularly and she attends Staffordshire Childminding Quality Partnership forums with the local authority to learn about best practice and share ideas. She has taken good measures to meet the actions and recommendations set at the last inspection. Documentation for managing risks and medications has improved and resources to promote children's awareness of diversity have increased. The commitment shown to improvement ensures children's care and learning are promoted to a high level.

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provision

Relationships are developed well with parents and carers, which enables the childminder to support children's needs effectively. The childminder uses a daily diary for all children, to exchange information with parents, alongside daily discussion to share information about children's ongoing needs. This ensures that they are fully informed of how their child's well-being is supported and what activities they have been involved in. Parents' comments documented in cards and letters show that they are very happy with the service the childminder provides. They include statements that, 'the childminder has been professional on many levels in supporting my children', that, 'her advice has been invaluable' and 'she is very caring and supportive and feels like part of the family'. One of the children's comments states 'I've had lots of fun'.

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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 EY348414 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 873475 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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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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