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 EY298861 Inspection date 11/11/2008 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight years in a house in Kidderminster. The kitchen diner, play room and downstairs toilet are used for childminding. The ground floor of the home is easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to a local network. She is working towards accreditation to receive early years funding.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare are effectively promoted by the childminder. She is committed to maintaining a good quality service for the children she cares for and takes positive steps to improve her provision. This includes working closely with parents and carers to ensure that her practice is fully inclusive and takes into consideration children's individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests when planning their daily activities and outings. Children are happy, well cared for and enjoy their time with the childminder.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue with plans to link children's assessment records with future planning and to share this information more formally with parents.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child. 21/11/2008

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provision

The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to continuously improving her practice by attending training and keeping up-to-date with current developments in childcare. She has recently completed a NVQ Level 3 and is working towards accreditation to receive early years funding. Both of these have led to her reviewing her own practice and making further improvements to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good quality care provided. She has welcomed the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is successfully implementing the framework in an effective way.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good and valued by the childminder. She actively sought their involvement in the inspection process by inviting them to provide comments and feedback. These were all very positive and parents particularly liked the close links that were formed between themselves and the childminder to ensure consistency and continuity for the children. Good quality information is available to the parents in the form of policies and procedures, regular newsletters and general information on the service provided. Time is taken at the end of each day for informal discussions about children's welfare and during the school holidays children keep photographic logs of the activities they have taken part in. As part of the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has introduced assessment records for each child. She has made parents aware of these and invited them to view them and now plans to more

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provision

formally involve parents in this process.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder ensures that her home remains safe, suitable and child friendly. Robust risk assessments have been carried out and the childminder makes a visual check each day to ensure that children can continue to play safely. She has a good understanding of child protection issues, has attended training in this area and has a comprehensive safeguarding policy in line with local guidance as well as a separate policy detailing procedures to be followed if an allegation was made against the childminder or a member of her family.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and maintains most required documentation. Information from the parents with regard to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility is obtained verbally and any issues are recorded. It is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage that this information is maintained for each child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development. They are provided with a good mix of planned activities and time for child-initiated play both inside and outside. The childminder also plans a range of interesting and exciting outings to further support the children's learning and development. Their knowledge and understanding of the world around them and nature is developed as they take regular walks in the surrounding countryside, woodland and nearby parks. They have enjoyed pond dipping and visits to farms. The childminder has a positive attitude to inclusion and has passed this on to the children helping them to develop an understanding of other cultures and a positive attitude to race, gender and disability. The childminder observes the children's play to allow her to assess where they are with their learning, identify areas of strength and those that require more support. She now plans to link these to the planning of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

future activities to ensure that children will be supported and challenged in their future learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is skilled at using everyday routines as part of a learning experience for children. On a recent visit to a local supermarket they were encouraged to behave sensibly and to think about their own safety as they travel in the car and cross the road. Before leaving home they help to write a shopping list practising emergent writing skills and understanding that writing has a purpose. Whilst in the shop they help count purchases and begin to use skills of problem solving and reasoning as the childminder questions them about what to buy, how many and where they may find the item in the shop. Children particularly enjoy cooking activities where they learn about healthy eating and the safety aspects of using

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sharp knives and cheese graters. They help to weigh and measure ingredients and have made currant buns to aid their counting and numerical skills as they use them to sing the song ' Five currant buns'.

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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. There is plenty of space to play both inside and outside. Children develop their imaginations, learn to work together and increase their confidence as they express their ideas and opinions when involved in role play, such as making dens with a variety of sheets and large pieces of material. There is a good selection of toys and equipment to support their physical development. They play with balls, hoops and other equipment that aids dexterity and balance. Visits to local parks and woodland provide opportunities for children to climb and manoeuvre both on structured climbing equipment and natural materials. Children have opportunities to socialise, join in with group activities and explore different equipment during visits to childminding groups, other childminder's homes and outings and visits with other childminders.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Activities are changed regularly and children are provided with plenty of opportunity to select their own toys and equipment and initiate their own play. The range of opportunities available to them allows them to develop habits of inquisitive, enthusiastic and independent learners. Good strategies are in place for supporting positive behaviour and children develop an understanding of right from wrong as they learn to share, take turns and take part in group activities to achieve a finished result. They are encouraged to follow simple house rules and to develop a sense of responsibility for their own and others' safety, well-being and enjoyment. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 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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