Ritchie Kathleen

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 504672 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Angela Dyer

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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 has been registered since 1984 and lives with her adult child in Selly Oak, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and children have access to a first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works alongside another registered childminder and a maximum of six children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently six children attending who are within the early years age range. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has suitable procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The premises are accessible via the front entrance which has a low step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's homely environment. The childminder provides a suitable range of appropriate activities and as a result children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Their routines and individual needs are well known so that all are included and receive appropriate support. The childminder is becoming familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), however,this has failed to meet some requirements. Whilst the childminder's systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of her service are in their infancy, she is generally aware of her weaknesses and demonstrates a willingness to raise standards to bring about improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further your skills and knowledge, with regards to putting into practice the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  improve the outdoor play experiences for children, to include a balance of adult-led and freely chosen or child-initiated activities  improve the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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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 risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly to ensure that hazards to children 22/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 indoors, outdoors and whilst on outings, are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)  request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and welfare) 08/04/2009  develop systems to observe children and use assessments to plan the next steps in children's learning and development (Assessment arrangements). 06/05/2009

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provision

The childminder has many years of experience and has completed a recognised early years qualification. She has also attended a food hygiene course, first aid training and is booked onto further training to increase her knowledge and awareness of the requirements of the EYFS. The childminder and her co-minder work well together offering each other support. She has started to evaluate and review her documentation and practice, however, as this is in its infancy she has failed to identify and address some areas of weakness.

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provision

The childminder's home is maintained to a good standard and the playroom is a child-friendly environment where children have access to a suitable range of resources. The childminder carries out daily visual checks of the home environment, however, records have not been maintained detailing what actions have been taken to minimise risks and promote children's safety. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues and is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe from harm.

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provision

The childminder maintains a professional, but friendly, relationship with the parents of minded children. She chats to them on a daily basis about what their children have been doing and how they have been in her care. Written policies are brief but provide parents with some information about how she manages her service. Contracts are completed with all parents and important information is collated in order for the childminder to meet the needs of the children in her care. However, she has failed to recognise that the new documentation, that has recently been introduced, does not request all required information and as a result she has not obtained consent from all parents to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planning is flexible as the childminder responds daily to the children's moods and individual requests for their favourite activities. The childminder interacts positively with the children who happily go to her for comfort and reassurance. Children settle quickly in the relaxed atmosphere of the childminder’s home and develop close relationships with both herself and her co-minder. The childminder has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good knowledge of the children in her care, in terms of their individual care needs, personalities and interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing with the friends they have made since being at the childminders. They enjoy activities including painting, spaghetti play, chalking and role play, however, they have few opportunities to go on outings or play in the garden. Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. However, the childminder only has a basic knowledge of the learning and development requirements within the EYFS and does not use her observations to effectively inform planning for individual children. Consequently, children may not be sufficiently challenged or supported to reach their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of children having a nutritious diet and provides them with freshly prepared homemade meals. Children are protected from infection through the implementation of effective hygiene procedures, including the wearing of disposable gloves for nappy changing and regular hand- washing. Children's individual routines are respected and the childminder provides a quiet room for children to sleep in. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 22/04/2009 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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