Childminder in Worcestershire

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 204757 Inspection date 04/12/2008 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 16 years in a house in Stourport on Severn. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and is easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and preschools. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to older children. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and a local childminding support group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare are extremely well promoted by the childminder. She ensures that her practice is fully inclusive and that each child's individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests are included in their daily activities by working closely with parents and carers. Children are very well cared for, happy and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They take part in an exciting range of high-quality activities that support their learning and development exceptionally well. The childminder has completed the Ofsted self evaluation process, looking thoughtfully and honestly at her practice in order to plan for continuing improvement and change to an already high quality service.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue with plans to further develop the assessment and planning arrangements.

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provision

The children benefit from the childminder's strong commitment to her own self- development which allows her to constantly improve the high quality care provided. She has recently completed an NVQ level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development and attends short courses and workshops, as well as reading current publications and researching on the Internet. She has welcomed the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as an opportunity to extend the range of activities and opportunities enjoyed by the children and to develop systems for planning activities and assessing children's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents and carers are excellent and highly valued by the childminder. Informal discussions at both ends of the day provide time for the childminder and parents to share important information and daily diaries ensure

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provision

that important information is always passed on. The childminder has made her family aware of the legal requirements of her role and they are fully supportive of her provision, joining in with activities when present and making children and their families feel welcome. She demonstrates a strong commitment to forming close working relationships with staff at other settings that children may attend ensuring that individual needs are met at all times.

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provision

Children are kept safe as the childminder ensures that her home is safe, secure and child friendly. High-quality risk assessments are carried out regularly and any potential dangers identified and addressed immediately. Risk assessments have also been carried out for the regular outings and visits enabling the childminder to identify potential risks and ensure that children are extremely well supervised at all times. Children are very well supported and the layout of the home allows them to move from room to room while still being closely supervised. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and has a clear safeguarding policy in line with local guidance.

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provision

The childminder has developed a comprehensive and detailed range of policies and procedures which reflects the high quality care provided. These are shared with parents so they have a clear understanding of the expectations of the children, parents and the childminder. All required documentation is extremely well organised and maintained to a very high standard.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make extremely good progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development. They are provided with excellent opportunities to enjoy a well balanced range of activities both in and out of the home. There is a good mix of structured activities based around a theme or current event, quiet times and time free play. The childminder is skilled at planning activities that cover several areas of their learning and development. For example, while making gingerbread men they develop their social skills as they take turns mixing ingredients, expand their knowledge of numbers and science as they help to weigh and measure ingredients and note how they change as they are mixed together. Their language and vocabulary is developed as they talk about the activity and the childminder uses sensitive questioning to help them think and reason. Stirring, rolling and cutting out shapes help children to develop their physical skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's play is observed and photographed to allow the childminder to record children's progress and identify areas of strength and those that require further support in their learning and development. These records are shared with parents and used in the planning of future activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home is well laid out to allow children to move from room to room freely. Children are encouraged to make their own choices and choose their own toys and activities from a range of high-quality equipment. The childminder helps children to be imaginative and creative using everyday objects such as large boxes that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 become cars or dens, exploring shape and dimension through a range of natural materials and comparing tone and pitch of sound as they talk through cardboard tubes and bang wooden spoons on different size saucepans. Opportunities to socialise, join in with group activities and explore different environments and equipment are provided through sessions at a local music group and visits to local amenities such parks, riverside and library.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They learn about nature as they take part in bug hunts, feed ducks and help to plant seeds and harvest the crops. They have opportunities to learn about diversity as the use good quality resources depicting positive images of gender, race, culture and disability. They learn about technology as they use electronic and programmable toys and master simple programs on the computer. Children's creative skills are developed as they take part in role play, dressing-up and fantastic opportunities for arts and crafts and messy play. The childminder places a strong emphasis, which she shares with parents, on enjoyment and exploring the texture and properties of the resources and materials they are using rather than the finished result. This helps children to develop habits as inquisitive and independent learners. Children have varied

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities to develop their mark making skills as they enjoy colouring and drawing. They begin to understand that writing has a purpose as they write inside Christmas cards they have made and make train tickets to travel on an imaginary train. They enjoy sharing books and stories with the childminder and she is skilled at developing their language as she talks about the story and encourages them to share their ideas and opinions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe as they learn to cross the road safely and practise the fire drill. They are provided with opportunities to take risks in a safe environment, such as using climbing equipment in the garden and at parks and standing on chairs as part of action rhymes. Excellent strategies for supporting positive behaviour are displayed by the children who show a deep respect for their carers, each other and the home, toys and equipment that they use. Several pieces of each type of equipment and regular changes of activities and toys ensures that children do not become fractious or bored. Children's good health is extremely well promoted as stringent procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. These include helping children to develop good hygiene habits, using separate towels and ensuring that the home and equipment remain clean. Healthy eating is encouraged and the childminder talks to the children about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the importance of healthy diets and regular exercise to keep them fit and well. 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? 1 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? 1

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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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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