Childminder in Dudley

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 EY366148 Inspection date 22/10/2008 Inspector Elaine Margaret Hayward

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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 2008 and lives in Halesowen. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the home is over a front door step and children spend much of their time in a first floor playroom. The childminder has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder is currently minding three young children on the Early Years Register. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register and the childminder cares for two older children before and after school. She is also registered to care for a maximum of two children overnight, but this provision is only used on occasions. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and makes use of local facilities such as the library, toddler groups, parks and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a close and positive relationship with the childminder, settling extremely well in the warm and welcoming child-centred environment. The learning, development and welfare needs of the individual children are well known and met, and children are cared for in a safe and healthy environment. Effective planning by the childminder ensures that children's learning and development is stimulating and exciting, and children are motivated to be active learners through praise and encouragement. The childminder's self-evaluation, good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the provision for strong links with parents and others, along with her desire to enhance children's care and learning, guide the childminder's practice and support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to extend children's understanding of healthy foods  develop further policy and practice regarding how best to meet children's individual needs including those with disabilities.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are well promoted. Although the childminder is new to childminding she has a good understanding of and strong commitment to meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has an early years qualification and has begun the process of self-evaluation, competently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 beginning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of her provision in order to enhance children's experiences. The childminder has already accessed and continues to book additional training. She also maintains contact with other professionals in order to promote the care, learning and development of the children.

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provision

The childminder's organisational skills and dedication to children underpin her ability to provide stimulating experiences for them. Children's learning and development needs are clearly identified. She uses her observations and assessments effectively to plan children's next steps through the use of a delightful and informative learning journal for each child, full of comments and photographs. Continuity of care is further effectively maintained through discussions and a daily diary, encouraging two-way information sharing with parents. If parents wish, the childminder sends texts or photo-texts to them during the day to reassure them or to highlight a special achievement. She maintains high quality records, policies and procedures. The childminder works very closely with the parents of the children in her care, obtaining good information from them to enable her to plan to meet their individual needs and has effective procedures in place to liaise with other providers

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provision

of any children in her care. She recognises however, that fully caring for and supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities regarding the best possible practice, is an area where she feels less confident and prepared, and has identified it as an area for her development.

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provision

The childminder has attended child protection training and has a clear understanding of how to safeguard and protect children. She has full procedures in place which are shared with parents along with a clear complaints procedure to enable parents to address any concerns. The childminder applies robust strategies to ensure adults coming into contact with children are suitable to do so. All toys, furniture and equipment are stimulating and safe for young children. The childminder ensures there are good hygiene routines and frequent opportunities for children to be active and enjoy the outdoors. She uses her home effectively to provide a homely, child-friendly environment where children can safely play. Any risks are clearly identified and minimised, and risk assessments are reviewed regularly and as situations arise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder plans a broad range of exciting and stimulating activities across the six areas of learning. Children's starting points and learning and development needs are clearly identified through observations, assessments and liaison with parents. Children independently choose from a very exciting and extensive range of toys and resources in a playroom wholly dedicated to their needs. They enjoy a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences as the childminder is flexible, responding to the children who feel very much at home. As a result children are active learners, creative and think critically. Children are confident and self- assured. They show excitement and pleasure as they play and develop a love of learning, and respond to the childminder's ongoing praise and encouragement. Lovely interactions, expressions, smiles and cuddles can be seen as they sit on the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's knee looking at a book together, talking about a trip to the safari park, remembering the animal noises, making the sounds again and as she reminds them of the tall giraffe with his long neck. Concentration can be seen on children's faces as they build a rail track, the childminder alongside on the floor, supporting as needed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Effective use is made of outdoors and the local community. Children improve their social skills as they attend local toddler groups, mixing with other children. Healthy lifestyles are promoted for children as they spend time outdoors on a daily basis, whether it be in the garden or on walks, examining and collecting leaves which they later use to create "a masterpiece" which is proudly displayed. Children learn about good hygiene through clear routines. They enjoy healthy foods through a good range of nutritious snacks and meals, tasting a range of fresh fruit, with water available at all times to ensure their good health. Children are beginning to learn about healthy foods but the childminder recognises this is an area to extend further.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about safety as they practise effective emergency evacuation procedures and as the childminder reminds children about being careful on the stairs, walking below young children to ensure their safety. They behave well, and are learning to share and respect others. They are aware of the childminder's clear boundaries and her expectations of good behaviour. They learn about the wider world as they as they play with an extensive range of toys and books that reflect disabilities and different cultures, and as they celebrate festivals from around the world. 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action.

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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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