Childminder in Dudley

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 EY248638 Inspection date 18/02/2009 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 12 and six years in a house in Coseley, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes; the premises are accessed via two steps. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There is a pet dog in the family.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part-time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and is able to take and collect children from school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are included in all aspects of the childminder's day. She knows the children in her care well, and utilises her knowledge of their individuality to encourage their self-confidence and self-esteem to provide an inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. Children’s individual needs are met and their learning and development is adequately promoted. The childminder plans an appropriate balance of activities that help children make satisfactory progress, however, these plans do not clearly record children’s progress or the next steps in their learning. She makes some use of self-evaluation and has the capacity to improve, however, there is no formal system in place to identify strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and update policies in line with current legislation and guidance with particular regard to child protection and the complaints log  develop the systems for recording observations to inform children’s assessments and progress, to enable these to be used to plan the next steps in children's learning and development  devise a system of self-evaluation in order to identify strengths in the provision and future areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessment record to identify all aspects of the setting used by children that need checking on a regular basis and ensure the record notes when and by whom they have been checked, and also ensure that the record is reviewed at least 27/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 once a year. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register)

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provision

The childminder has devised individual policies and procedures to complement her practice and most of the required records are in place to support children's needs efficiently. She has an adequate knowledge of her safeguarding policy and understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about child abuse. The childminder has an increasing knowledge of how children develop and therefore is able to suitably support their learning. The children's care environment is safe and secure as suitable safety equipment is fitted around the home. However, written risk assessments are not in place to ensure all aspects of the environment are included. The environment is organised to offer children choice and opportunities to initiate their own play. The childminder has yet to access training to enable her to implement the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework fully to incorporate her observations and assessments of children into planning for their

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provision

progress and next steps in their learning. Information is shared with parents, regarding the childminder's service and children's care, learning and development through discussions at either end of the day to ensure that all relevant information is passed on. Parents are offered a suitable level of information about the provision including relevant policies and procedures. This ensures that all parties are aware of the expectations and provides consistency for children. Suitable records are maintained for each child in relation to effectively supporting their individual care needs. However, the log for recording complaints is out of date and not in line with the current welfare requirements. Previous recommendations to improve the organisation of toys have been addressed to further promote the children's independence. The childminder is beginning to monitor and evaluate her provision to identify her strengths and any areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder’s premises are clean and well maintained and arranged to enable children to make choices about their play and to develop their independence. The childminder spends time with the children, supervising their play to ensure their safety and encourage their learning further. Efficient daily routine meets children's needs and promotes their welfare, such as social mealtimes where children are encouraged to eat healthy snacks and meals at the dining table. Drinks are offered at regular intervals and children have good opportunities to access fresh air and exercise as they play outdoors in the summer or enjoy sledging in the colder seasons. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection, for example, by the use of individual towels. During routine outings, such as walking to and from school the childminder often talks to children about road safety. This means they are developing an understanding of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

how to keep themselves safe. Children’s safety is further promoted as the childminder discusses fire evacuation with them. All areas of learning are covered This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through a broad range of activities and experiences. A system is in place to record and monitor children's learning and development and observations to mark children’s progress and their next steps for development are identified. However, these are not yet used to inform planning the next steps in the children's learning. The childminder interacts effectively with the children, asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills, for example, when playing board games, such as Shopping List. Children's understanding of shape, colour and number is promoted through everyday situations, such as when making foam butterflies. Positive partnerships

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have been established with parents and are developing with other early years providers. 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? 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? 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. (Welfare of the children being cared for) 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. (Welfare of the children being cared for) 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

Since the last inspection, no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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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