Childminder in Walsall

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 260720 Inspection date 15/12/2008 Inspector Dianne Lynn Sadler

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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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15 and 12-year-old twins on the outskirts of Walsall. The whole of the premises is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The premises is accessed from the front via one step up to the front door or a flat slope through the side garage.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently eight children on roll, three of whom are within the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to offer overnight care for one child under two years of age.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She takes and collects children from local schools and pre- schools and is working towards a level three qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time at the setting and relate well to the childminder. Their welfare, learning and development needs are adequately promoted and all children are fully included. The childminder builds positive, informal relationships with parents to provide consistent support for individual children. The childminder constantly strives to improve the outcomes for children and shows the capacity to maintain sufficient improvement. However, future plans are limited.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve written records of accidents and medicines given to children  further improve the two way flow of information with parents to promote shared understanding of children's individual needs and involve parents in practical ways to support their children's learning and development  consider the use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis to improve ongoing internal review  further improve the risk assessments conducted for each specific outing. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles and use these to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child (Assessment arrangements) 12/01/2009  conduct a risk assessment covering all aspects of the 12/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment accessed by children and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted adequately because the childminder continues to update her professional skills through attending relevant training. She has completed all required training such as first aid and is working towards a level three qualification in childcare. The childminder ensures the environment for children is fully inclusive and she responds to children's individual interests appropriately. However, although parents are provided with good quality information about the setting they are not encouraged to be actively involved in their children's learning and development. The childminder has begun to take some steps to monitor the effectiveness of the provision. There has been some improvement made since the last inspection, however, she is not yet identifying targets for future improvement.

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provision

All policies and procedures, necessary for the safe and efficient running of the setting, is in place and shared with parents. This ensures children are protected and their welfare needs met appropriately. However, some records are not sufficient or completed by parents. The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding issues to ensure that she is able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has knowledge of her responsibilities to ensure that the welfare of children is protected and knows how to report concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled with the childminder, and the learning and development opportunities help them make sufficient progress. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of what children already know, their likes and dislikes, and uses this knowledge sufficiently well to plan a varied range of activities to provide sufficient challenges for children in most areas of learning. She is actively engaged in their play and offers adequate support to help children develop at their own pace.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The learning environment is organised well. The childminder consults with children about what they want to do and organises resources in well-labelled boxes and cupboards in the utility. She offers children activities that they enjoy such as art and crafts, and children confidently select resources of their own choice. This successfully supports their independence and decision making. Children are making positive relationships and are beginning to understand the importance of developing positive social skills such as sharing and taking turns. The childminder's consistent use of praise and positive reinforcement contributes effectively in promoting children’s self-esteem. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding about the abilities of the children in her care although she is not undertaking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective observations. As she is not effectively assessing children's development,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

she is not planning with children's next steps in mind, which impacts upon their progress towards some of the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered meals and snacks that are healthy and nutritious provided by parents and stored appropriately by the childminder. They take part in a range of physical activities such as playing in the garden and walking to the local shops and park. The childminder has effective hygiene policies, procedures and routines, promoting good health and well-being and takes necessary steps to protect children from the spread of infection. The childminder has completed first aid training and keeps written records and required documentation for the administering of medication and accidents. However, the records are not fully completed by parents. Children have good access to suitable and safe outdoor and indoor spaces, furniture, equipment and toys, despite the risk assessments for the premises and outings not being sufficient. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/01/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/01/2009

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