Walsh, Linnet

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 EY102466 Inspection date 08/10/2008 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, eight and three 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 childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), three of whom are in the reception class at the local school. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and helps to run a toddler group and craft and music sessions at the local school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare is very well promoted by the childminder. She works closely with parents, carers and staff at other settings to ensure that her practice is fully inclusive and each child's individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests are included in their play and activities. The children are happy, well cared for and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They take part in an interesting and varied range of activities that support their learning and development very well. Regular self-evaluation allows the childminder to maintain good quality service for the children she cares for and she demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement and change.

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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 involve parents in their children's assessments. 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. 17/10/2008

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provision

Children benefit from the continuous improvements made to the childminding practice through the childminder's commitment to attending training and keeping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 up-to-date with current developments. She has been able to successfully implement the Early Years Foundation Stage by attending training and briefing sessions to share good practice. Future planning with regards to her own self- development allow her to focus on particular issues, for example, attending Signalong and speech and language training to assist children with their communication skills.

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provision

Partnership with parents and carers are good and valued by the childminder. They are kept informed about the child's day through informal discussions at the end of each day and record sheets for babies detail nappy changes, sleep times and their general disposition. Monthly newsletters keep parents informed about the current themes within the setting and the childminder fully involves the whole family in these by setting tasks to be completed at home. For example, in a recent theme connected to children's families they shared photos of members of their extended family and bought in handprints from close family to compare size and shape. These activities help to form close links between the childminder and home and enable children to feel settled and secure. As part of the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has introduced learning journeys for each child. She now plans to involve parents in the assessment 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 are carried out regularly and the childminder organises her time well to provide children with a high level of support and supervision. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, has attended training in this area and has a safeguarding policy in line with local guidance.

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provision

The childminder has developed a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which reflect the good quality care provided. These are shared with parents so that they have a clear understanding about the expectations of themselves, their children and the minder. The childminder is well organised and maintains most required documentation. Information from the parents with regards 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 learning and development. They are provided with a range of opportunities and enjoy a well-balanced selection of activities both in and out of the home. Structured activities follow a planned theme taking into consideration children's interests and events throughout the year such as the seasons and festivals and celebrations. The childminder takes the children to the local school where she helps to run a toddler group, arts and craft sessions and a music afternoon. She links the themes at home with those at the groups to reinforce children's learning and help provide different experiences around the same theme. When looking at road safety the children make crossing lollipops and practise crossing a pretend road at the group and then have experience of road safety as they walk home. Children's play is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

observed to allow the childminder to identify areas of strength and those that require more support in their learning and development. This information is then used in future planning.

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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 are separate areas for free play, eating, arts and crafts, messy play and quiet activities such as stories and singing. This allows the childminder to set up several activities and children are able to develop their skills as independent and inquisitive learners as they make choices about what they would like to play with and activities they would like to join in. There is a good range of toys and equipment with several of the same variety, allowing all the children to join in with the same game.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, literacy, numeracy and problem-solving. The childminder engages them in conversation constantly, asking questions and listening to their responses and ideas. The children are keen to look at books and share stories and join in enthusiastically with singing and action rhymes. They count everyday objects during their play and learn number patterns through counting books and songs. As part of the colour theme of black and white they use traditional dominos and make checked patterns from small squares of paper. Children enjoy a range of exciting activities that extend their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They go for regular walks in the local forest to look at nature and how the seasons cause changes to living things. Regular baking activities demonstrate how foods change when heated and mixed together and they help weigh and measure ingredients. Their fine motor

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

skills are developed as they use tools skilfully to cut out shapes from biscuit and bread dough. Children have opportunities to learn about other ways of life and cultures through good quality resources, themes relating to other countries and celebrations of their own and other cultural events. Their creativity and imaginations are developed as they enjoy role-play, dressing-up and a range of exciting art and craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a sense of keeping themselves safe as they practise the fire drill and understand safety in the home such as picking up toys when they finish playing with them. They are able to experience danger in a safe environment, for example, using special safety sharp knives to cut pumpkins when making Halloween lanterns. They also learn to keep themselves healthy as they develop good hygiene habits at mealtimes and when using the toilet. Healthy eating is encouraged and reinforced through regular baking and food preparation activities. Daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise are provided as they walk to and from school and enjoy other trips out to local parks. Children behave very well and the childminder provides praise and encouragement as children learn to share and take turns. Regular changes of activities ensure that children do not become bored or fractious. Inappropriate behaviour results in children being removed from an activity and having some time

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

away. The childminder will then explain to children why their behaviour is inappropriate and the possible consequences of their actions. This helps children to learn right from wrong and develop a sense of responsibility. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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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 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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