Gough Helen

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 204752 Inspection date 10/02/2009 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband, one adult child and child aged 11 in a house in Kidderminster. The home is close to local schools, pre-schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom is used by the older children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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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 5 children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She also offers care to older children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to take and collect children from 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 to ensure that children's individual learning, development and welfare needs are met. Children are well cared for, happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. Individual likes, dislikes and interests are taken into consideration in the planning of an interesting and varied range of activities that support their learning and development well. The childminder is committed to maintaining good quality service for the children she cares for and uses self evaluation to identify areas for improvement and change.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangement for parents to receive information about the policies and procedures  continue with plans to consolidate planning & assessments to more clearly show children's progress and next steps and make them more accessible to parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment for the premises and equipment used by the children, and for outings, and review them regularly ( suitable premises, environment & equipment, also applies to both parts of the childcare register). 27/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to continuously improving her practice by attending training and workshops and keeping up to date with current developments in childcare. She has successfully implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly in relation to the learning and development requirements. Completing the Ofsted self evaluation process and providing questionnaires for parents has allowed her to review her practice and identify further opportunities that she would like to make available to the children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good and valued by the childminder. They are kept informed about their child's day through daily discussions and photos displayed in the home allow them to see the children enjoying activities and the company of other children. Completed questionnaires from the parents stated that they particularly liked the way the childminder was very organised and different toys were always out ready for the children's arrival. They found the childminder to be approachable and friendly and would feel confident to raise any areas for concern. Although the childminder has a range of policies that parents are invited to read when their child starts the setting they are not provided with a copy for future reference. Improvements to this arrangement and supplying parents with a copy would allow them to be clear at all times of the expectations of the childminder, themselves and the children.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder ensures that children are well supervised at all times and that her home remains safe, suitable and child friendly. A risk assessment on the premises, furniture and equipment used by the children has not been carried out. It is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register that a risk assessment is completed and reviewed regularly both for the home and for outings. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has a clear policy in place detailing the procedures to be followed if she has a concern about a child or if an allegation is made against herself or a member of her family. The childminder is well organised and maintains required documentation with regards to the children's health, welfare and contact details.

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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 enjoy a well-balanced selection of activities that are changed regularly in order to maintain interest in their play. The childminder is skilled at using the same equipment to develop children's learning at different ages and stages of development. For example, hexagonal construction toys were enjoyed by younger children as they explored the bright colours and shapes and attempted to fix the pieces together. As the children progress in their learning they learn how to slot the pieces together to form simple constructions and as they develop their problem-solving and design skills produce more elaborate finished results. Children's play is observed and the childminder completes detailed observations and assessments identifying areas of strength and those that require 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

more support. She now plans to consolidate this system to make it easier to identify where children are with their learning and their next steps and to make them more parent friendly.

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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. They have plenty of space to play and spread out toys. A good selection of good quality toys and equipment are stored in low-level, easily accessible storage in the conservatory allowing children to choose their own toys and activities and develop their independence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, literacy and numeracy. The childminder plays with the children, talking to them and encouraging them to develop their conversation skills from a young age. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to babble and repeat new and simple words, whilst older children are questioned and asked of their thoughts and ideas which are listened to with patience and interest. Children are therefore articulate and confident in expressing their opinions and asking questions. They are introduced to new vocabulary through projects and activities and these words are put on cards and displayed in the play room so that children began to understand that written words have a meaning. For example, following the recent snowfall children were introduced to words such as snowflake, icy, freeze, chilly, slushy and crunchy. This helps them to develop an extensive vocabulary and to experiment with new words

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and sounds. As children begin to develop an interest in counting and number sequencing they are introduced to songs and rhymes, starting with numbers up to three and moving onto larger numbers as they grasp the skills of one more or less. Children of all ages enjoy activities that provide them with the opportunity to learn about the world around them and nature. They play outside in all weathers, allowing them to see how the weather affects nature and enjoy spontaneous activities such as building snowmen in the snow. They have opportunities to learn about other cultures and respect difference through good quality resources and activities that introduce celebrations of festivals such as art and craft activities based around the Chinese New Year.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily walks to school provide opportunities for fresh air and exercise as well as learning the importance of keeping themselves safe as they cross the road. They are encouraged to stay healthy as they develop good hygiene habits at meal times and when using the toilet. Parents provide the children's food allowing them to cater for individual likes, dislikes and appetites and healthy eating is encouraged by the childminder. Visits to local parks and playing in the garden on a selection of equipment and ride on toys provide further opportunities for the children to develop their physical skills. Good strategies for supporting positive behaviour are in place and children are encouraged to share and take turns as they play and take part in activities. The childminder constantly praises and encourages the children and the regular change of activities and toys ensures that children do not become bored or fractious. There are clear boundaries for the children and if behaviour is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

inappropriate they are removed from the situation for a short period of time and are spoken to about the possible consequences of their behaviour and the dangers involved. Children are therefore able to learn right from wrong and develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report ( suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 27/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report ( suitability and safety of the premises and equipment). 27/03/2009 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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