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 EY370835 Inspection date 12/11/2008 Inspector Christine Lynn Williams

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 months and 14 weeks in a residential area of Redditch. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed play area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of four children may attend the setting at any one time. There is currently one child attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) who attends part-time. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register. The family have three cats. The childminder has suitable procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. Access to both the front and rear of the premises is over a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle well in the relaxed atmosphere of the childminder’s home and quickly develop a close relationship with her. Although new to minding, she has worked hard to meet the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and to consider how to support children's, learning and development. Some aspects of the childminder’s practice is strong, particularly in relation to keeping children safe, well protected and healthy. She works effectively with parents; however, the lack of any formal self-evaluation leads to gaps in the childminder’s knowledge and practice and hinders planning for future improvement and change.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system for recording who has parental responsibility and legal contact with a child  improve the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the setting and for making continual improvements  improve the arrangments for working with providers of the other settings a child attends.

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provision

The childminder's home is warm and friendly and children have free and easy access to a suitable and age-appropriate range of toys and resources. Children currently attend during out of school times only and although the childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 only recently begun minding, children show they feel safe, secure and comfortable with her. Her practice is inclusive because she takes into account children’s individual needs and likes when planning her provision and works closely with their parents. She has begun to form links with other EYFS providers such as school teaching staff, however, this is in its early stages and does not yet ensure there are clear arrangements for effectively sharing information between the childminder, parents and school.

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provision

The childminder has been proactive in ensuring that some areas of her practice are well developed. For example, she has a good understanding of child protection issues because she has attended training in this area, has obtained appropriate guidance and developed her own clear safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. Safety has also been well considered and there are sound arrangements for supporting children’s health. The childminder has given some thought to the strengths of her practice and areas requiring improvement. However, the self- evaluation process is in its infancy and is not yet effective in helping the childminder to consider how best to create, maintain and improve her service so that it meets the highest standards.

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provision

A range of written policies have been developed which reflect the care provided. These are shared with parents so they understand how their children will be cared for and the childminder’s role. Most required documentation is in place and is well organised. Information from parents with regard to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility is obtained, although this is not recorded with sufficient clarity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide variety of play activities after school and these support their learning and development. They settle quickly and show they feel at ease in the comfortable and friendly atmosphere of the childminder's home. They have many opportunities to engage in freely-chosen play and this is used well to support and develop all areas of their learning. For example, children’s understanding of numbers is supported as they count how many cars they are playing with and line them up in twos. They develop their communication skills as they talk about what they are doing, interact with each other and share their news. Children make up their own games when playing with small world resources such as cars and dolls and are confident in using their imaginations. They also paint, draw and colour pictures, enjoy looking at books and play and sing to the childminder’s own young children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's effective behaviour management strategies. They understand the childminder’s house rules such as taking off their shoes when they arrive from school and are encouraged to be helpful by tidying away their toys. They receive lots of warm praise and encouragement and this positively fosters their self-esteem. Children feel valued because they are treated as one of the family and are given lots of choices about what they want to do. The childminder listens to what children say and is skilled at joining in and intervening when appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle is well supported. They make healthy choices about what they eat and drink at breakfast and snack time and wash their hands at appropriate times. They enjoy regular visits to local parks and playgrounds

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and this supports and extends their physical skills as they use a range of large apparatus or run freely in large open spaces. Clear and effective safety features are in place and children are developing a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know not to go in the kitchen when she is cooking and learn road safety rules when walking to and from school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure consistency of care for children. Parents make positive comments about the childminder and her service and show that they feel confident in leaving their children with her. Time is taken at the beginning and end of each day to talk to parents about how children have been, at home, school and with the childminder. She helps parents understand the activities the children have enjoyed and shares information about their progress. These things are all noted in a daily diary which parents can take home. Parents also receive copies of the childminder’s written policy statements regarding such things as how their children are safeguarded and cared for. 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? 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? 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: 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 registration or 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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