Hickling, Carla Dawn

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 EY368084 Inspection date 21/10/2008 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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. She lives with her husband and children aged 11 and two in a house in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder uses the ground floor of the premises for childminding which includes toilet facilities. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently three children attending, of whom one is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle well and enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and her family. They make good progress in their learning and development because she provides a well-structured programme of activities and takes into account children's individual interests when planning the day. Her practice is fully inclusive because she works closely with parents to meet children's needs and she is developing links with any other providers who share the care of her minded children. She is well organised and most documentation is in place. She has started to carry out a self- evaluation of her provision and has identified and implemented areas for improvement with regard to the learning and development requirements. However, one welfare requirement is not met.

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further?

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

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further?

 request permission from all parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment  improve the use of self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement with regard to the welfare requirements.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that written information is in place for all children about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child. 28/10/2008

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from the commitment the childminder has shown since registration to update and improve her good practice. She has attended training for the EYFS framework and additional work shops including carrying out observations, assessments and planning. Children are protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures.

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provision

The childminder has a clear view of her strengths and has identified some areas for further improvement. However, she has not carried out a detailed evaluation of the welfare requirements for the EYFS. As a result, children’s welfare is compromised because the childminder’s documentation does not include written information about who has legal contact with each child and who has parental responsibility for the child.

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provision

Children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works in close partnership with their parents. She discusses children's routines and interests before she begins minding and she develops an ongoing relationship with parents so that they are well-informed about children's welfare, achievements and progress. She takes photographs of children enjoying different activities and shares these with parents before collating them in children's individual learning diaries and folders with comments to indicate what children are learning. The childminder also liaises with other practitioners who share care of her minded children so that she is aware of the activities they are doing and ensures relevant information is exchanged when necessary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. Space and resources are well organised to enable children to participate in a wide range of stimulating activities to help them make good progress in their communication, language, literacy and numeracy development. Children are learning to become independent through secure relationships with the childminder. They are content and have access to a good range of toys and resources to ensure their understanding of diversity is promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enthusiastically self-select activities during times of free play and are provided with good opportunities to make independent choices and to develop their interests. For example, they eagerly participate in a craft activity, spreading glue over a pieces of paper. They enjoy joining in the activity and show pleasure in their pictures. They receive praise from the childminder for their efforts, which helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive care in a home that is safe and secure because the childminder carries out daily safety checks of the premises. Children develop awareness of their personal safety, for example, the childminder gently reminds them not to climb on the furniture in case they should fall and injure themselves. Children feel valued because the childminder treats them as individuals and adapts her plans for care and learning to meet their needs effectively. For example, plans take account of their sleep and eating arrangements as well as their starting points which are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussed and agreed with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children’s health by recognising and reducing any possible risks and takes steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, by keeping the premises clean and providing paper towels for children. Children are helped to understand that washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet helps to keep them healthy. There are good arrangements in place to care for children who are ill, which are shared with parents. The childminder is trained in administering first aid and has the appropriate permissions and records in place regarding accidents and the administration of medication to children. However, written consent to seek emergency treatment for children has not been obtained from all parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children bring their own lunches and are provided with a range of wholesome, nutritious snacks which includes a variety of fresh fruit. Through discussion and documentation the childminder clearly demonstrates that children’s dietary requirements are effectively met. Children benefit from regular drinks of water, milk or juice to ensure that they do not become dehydrated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care. She has a sound knowledge of procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child and has devised a policy which is shared with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming aware of the importance of fresh air and exercise because they have good opportunities for outside play and also enjoy an interesting range of outings with the childminder. For example, they frequently visit carer and toddler groups and the park on the way home from school. 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. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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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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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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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? Satisfactory 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 registration.

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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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