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 204580 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 1999 and lives with her partner and two children aged 14 and 10 years. They live in a residential area situated in Evesham, Worcestershire. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, daycare settings and schools within walking distance. A self contained ground floor annexe is used for childminding. Children have access to the fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and daycare settings. Children are taken on local visits and outings.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently four children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare is successfully promoted in a safe, friendly and homely environment. Their learning and development is well supported as the childminder ensures that they have access to a wide range of stimulating and interesting planned and spontaneous activities. All children are fully included as the childminder ensures activities are adapted so that individual children are given many opportunities to participate at their own level. There are effective partnerships with parents and carers and the childminder has started to make links with other local providers. The self-evaluation system is in it’s infancy and is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure the childminder is able to make continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation system further to ensure the key strengths and weaknesses are identified and enables continuous improvements to be made develop the system for planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are consistently covered.

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provision

The childminder has effective systems for gathering relevant information from parents and carers when children first start attending to ensure individual children's routines are adhered to. The good partnership with parents and carers is based on effective information sharing, which includes daily discussions and use of daily diary sheets to inform them of how their children have spent their day. The childminder has devised good systems for keeping all of the required records. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective policies and procedures work in practice to safeguard children and promote their health and well-being. There are many detailed documents in place which are regularly reviewed and updated, taking into consideration current legislation affecting the care of children. Although the childminder has started to identify some of the areas within the provision which need further development,

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provision

the self-evaluation system is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure continual improvements are made in all areas.

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provision

Children's care is enhanced because of the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to ongoing training to ensure that her knowledge is up to date and to continue to develop her practice. She has completed a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare and early education and regularly attends local appropriate training events. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to further development as she ensures any changes or good practice are implemented into the care provided. Children are fully included and the childminder takes very positive steps to help children understand differences and to overcome any fears they may have. For example, she plans appropriate activities to encourage children to overcome their fear of spiders, such as using plastic play bugs to play simple games which assist children

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provision

with coming in close contact with insects in a safe environment. This is further extended on local outings when all the children use magnifying glasses to try to find some live insects and observe them in their natural habitat. The childminder takes positive steps to promote children's safety particularly in relation to ensuring the premises are safe and secure. Risk assessments for the indoor and outdoor facilities are successfully used to ensure all hazards to children are minimised. Appropriate risk assessments are also completed for when children are taken on outings. Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of Safeguarding Children procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are progressing well in their learning and development as they benefit from an exciting range of activities which are specifically planned to ensure individual children’s preferences and needs are fully catered for. There are systems in place to observe and assess children's learning and development. However, the system for planning activities for individual children is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure each area of learning is consistently covered. The childminder skilfully uses opportunities during children’s spontaneous play to help them develop further. For example, when children request to sit and listen to a story, she encourages their involvement where they are able to lift up the flaps on the pages to see which characters are hiding under them. As a result, children's speech and language development is successfully promoted and they are able to develop their vocabulary in a fun and relaxed manner.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is very well promoted through effective health and safety procedures. They are able to safely move around the identified childcare areas within the premises which include a dedicated playroom. They are able to independently choose activities from a wide range of stimulating and interesting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of easily accessible resources. Children are made aware of safety through everyday routines, such as road safety when out walking and safety around the home when indoors. Their physical development is encouraged through a variety of activities which include daily opportunities to exercise and play in the fresh air. This also includes using appropriate opportunities for children to extend their experiences, such as playing out in the snow where they enjoy making and throwing snow balls. Children's independence is developed and nurtured as they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

confidently make decisions about what they would like to play with. They are encouraged to develop their basic skills through everyday routines, such as putting on and taking off their shoes and coats.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have formed harmonious relationships with their peers and the childminder. Their confidence is encouraged and nurtured as they are able to explore and experiment in a safe environment. Children have access to an excellent range of resources and activities which promote positive images of diversity, such as a range of small play figures with disabilities, families from other cultures and a toy wheelchair. The childminder skilfully uses appropriate language to answer children's questions which arise from playing with these resources. This enables children to talk about similarities and differences in a manner which is aimed at their level of understanding. As a result, children's positive attitudes to diversity through everyday activities are extremely well promoted which helps them to learn to value aspects of their own and other people's lives. They also have regular opportunities to take part in fun activities to make them aware of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

various cultural festivals and events, such as recently visiting a local Chinese restaurant during the Chinese New Year. Children enjoyed listening to the drum music, watching the lion dance and tasting various Chinese food. 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 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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