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 204770 Inspection date 04/02/2009 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 1997. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 16 and 12, in a house in Kidderminster, close to local shops, parks and several local schools and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom, is used for childminding. Children may also sleep in a travel cot in an upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have pet reptiles.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children within the Early Years foundation stage (EYFS). She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. The childminder collects and takes children to local schools and pre schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents, carers and other providers to ensure that her practice is fully inclusive and takes into consideration children's individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests when planning their daily activities. Children are extremely well settled in the setting and are happy and confident. They take part in an interesting and varied range of activities that support their learning and development very well. The childminder is committed to maintaining good quality service to the children she cares for and take positive steps to continue to improve her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the planning and assessment arrangements to demonstrate how children's next steps will be linked to future planning.

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provision

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 attended training and briefing sessions about the Early Years Foundation Stage, allowing her to implement the framework in an effective way. She has completed an honest and reflective self-evaluation, consulting with parents and children for their opinions and suggestions. This has enabled her to identify areas of minor weakness and plan for further improvement. The childminder ensures that her practice is fully inclusive and has attended training to support integration and inclusion. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents and carers are good and highly valued by the childminder. Parents are kept informed about their child's day through informal discussions at the end of each day. Over time the childminder has developed close

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provision

links with the local schools and pre schools which enable her to work with children's other carers to ensure their needs are met and important information is passed on to parents.

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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 a daily safety check and cleaning programme enables children to continue to play safely and stay healthy. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has a clear procedure with regards to safeguarding that includes relevant and up to date information.

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provision

The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures which reflect the good care provided. These are shared with parents so they have a clear understanding of the expectations of themselves, their children and the minder. The childminder is well organised and all required documentation is maintained.

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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 exciting opportunities to enjoy a well balanced selection of activities both in and out of the home. Children's play is observed to allow the childminder to assess where children are with their learning and development, identify areas of strength and those that require more support. Improvements to the planning and assessment processes to show how children's next steps will be incorporated into future activities will demonstrate how children will be supported and challenged in their future learning and development.

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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. Since the last inspection the childminder has rearranged the home to provide more space for the children to play, an area for them to enjoy social meal times and to sit and take part in structured activities, arts and crafts and messy play. Children enjoy a good selection of quality toys and equipment and they are encouraged to make their own choices about what they would like to play with. The childminder is particularly skilled at fostering children's personal, social and emotional development. She provides children with comfort and support and encourages them to discuss their feelings following major events in their life. She helps them to increase their independence, taking themselves to the toilet and putting on their own shoes and coats. She is extremely good at managing challenging behaviour, providing clear boundaries for the children and remaining firm in her expectations

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of appropriate behaviour. She is calm and patient and explains to children the effects of their behaviour on others and helps them to take responsibility for their actions. As a result, children demonstrate good manners, share and engage in group tasks that require co-operation and teamwork to achieve the finished goal, for example, completing a large floor puzzle together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are articulate and confident. They engage in conversation from a very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 young age, first babbling and repeating simple words and then taking part in full conversations, questioning and confidently offering their ideas and opinions. They develop further skills in communicating, literacy and language as they share books and read stories. Dual language books introduce the idea that there are other languages in the world and they can look very different. Children have opportunities to mark make and practise emergent writing skills as they enjoy drawing and painting and as they get older are supported in learning correct letter formation to help them write their names and other simple words. They learn about numbers through themes and activities and enjoy counting songs and rhymes. Skills of problem solving and reasoning are practised as they use shape

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sorters, complete puzzles and use toys with moving parts. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is well fostered through a range of activities that help them to learn to respect difference in a positive way. During Chinese New Year they completed art and craft activities, used Chinese themed role play resources and dressed up in traditional Chinese clothing. They learn about nature and the world around them as they take walks in the surrounding area, feeding the ducks and searching for bugs. They are encouraged to be imaginative and creative both through arts and crafts, music and role play. This range of interesting and exciting activities helps children to develop habits as inquisitive, enthusiastic and independent learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Everyday activities, such as, picking toys up from the floor, not running in the home and learning to cross the road safely on daily walks to and from school allow the children to learn to keep themselves safe. They stay healthy as they develop good hygiene habits at meal times and when using the toilet. The childminder encourages healthy eating, providing meals and snacks that include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and freshly prepared ingredients. The children have daily opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise as they walk to and from school, visit local parks and soft play areas and in the home enjoy dancing. The childminder balances activities well to ensure that after an activity involving physical exertion they sit down and have a quieter time, such as, reading a story. 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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