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 EY299336 Inspection date 06/11/2008 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 adult son and child aged six in a house in Stourport. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom, which is accessed via stairs, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an active member of the local childminding group, running one of the activity sessions organised on a weekly basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare, development and learning are very well promoted by the childminder. Since the last inspection she has taken positive steps to improve her practice. She continues to evaluate her provision, seeking the opinions of the parents and children using her service and gaining support and advice from other professionals and fellow childcarers. This positive approach to continued improvement ensures that she provides a range of interesting and varied activities that supports children's learning and development very well. Children are well cared for, happy and enjoy their time with the childminder, who takes their individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests into consideration when planning their daily activities.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve record keeping further in order to clearly show who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child  continue to further develop the children's learning records. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 include in the safeguarding policy details of the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the provider or a member of her family. 21/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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 regularly attends short training courses and workshops. She has also completed the Quality First Self-Evaluation to Level 3 and this has helped her to look closely at her practice and make improvements which benefit the children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good and valued by the childminder. Time is taken at the beginning and end of each day to keep parents informed about their children's welfare and daily diaries are kept for the youngest children. As part of the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has introduced learning records for each child and involves the parents fully in assessing and recording their children's learning and development. The childminder has developed close links with the local schools and pre-schools that the children attend and links her own activities to their themes and projects further supporting children's learning.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder uses robust risk assessments to ensure that her home remains safe, suitable and child-friendly. She has a good understanding of child protection issues, has attended training in this area and has a safeguarding policy detailing the steps to take if she is concerned about a child in her care. The policy does not include the procedure to be followed if an allegation is made against the childminder or a member of her family. The inclusion of this information is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures which reflects the good care provided. These are shared with parents when their children start in the setting and they are informed of any changes as they occur. Documentation is well organised and has been updated to reflect changes in recent legislation. Information from the parents with regards to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibilities is obtained and any issues recorded. The childminder now plans to record this information more clearly 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 well-balanced selection of activities both in and out of the home. They enjoy a good mix of structured activities and child-initiated play. The childminder observes the children's play identifying areas of strength in their development and those that require more support. She now plans to link these areas into her planning to allow her to support and challenge children in their future learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a variety of activities that help develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They learn about nature and other living things as they attend Forest School sessions, help to care for the family guinea pigs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and explore natural materials such as soil and falling blossom in the garden. The childminder has developed her knowledge of equal opportunities and this allows her to help children develop a positive attitude to other cultures, disabilities and ways of life through projects that look at festivals and a good range of play equipment that depicts positive images of race, gender and disability. Opportunities for children to socialise, join in with group activities and explore different equipment are provided through visits to childminding groups several times a week. They are encouraged to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

be independent, making choices about which toys they would like to play with and looking after their personal needs such as taking themselves to the toilet and getting their food out of their lunch boxes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have varied opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, language and literacy and numeracy and problem solving. They enjoy looking at books and sharing stories with the childminder. Ongoing dialogue between the children and adults allows them to develop their conversational skills and the childminder frequently asks questions and encourages them to share their opinions and ideas. They have access to a well-resourced mark-making area where they can select different writing implements to practise emergent writing skills and develop good pencil control. Counting songs and rhymes introduce children to number patterns. Children are encouraged to develop their imaginations through art and craft activities and role play. They are thoroughly engaged in their play with the support of the childminder and are beginning to develop habits as enthusiastic and independent learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and the childminder has high expectations of them particularly with regards to basic house rules that help to keep children safe at all times. These include showing respect for each other, the equipment and home and ensuring that they follow safety guidelines out of the home, for example when crossing the road. Good strategies of supporting positive behaviour are in place and the childminder actively encourages the children to learn to share and take turns both in the home and on visits to the groups. Children are continuously praised and encouraged and the regular change of activities and wide selection of toys ensures that children do not become bored or fractious. Children are corrected if they behave inappropriately with explanations given as to the possible consequences of their actions and the dangers involved. These strategies help children to learn right from wrong and develop a sense of responsibility. Children are encouraged to stay healthy as they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop good hygiene habits at meal times and when using the toilet. Healthy eating is encouraged and children have daily opportunities to enjoy exercise and fresh air and to improve their physical skills. 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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