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 204755 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Rebecca Johnson

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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 1993. She lives with her husband in a house in an established residential area of Kidderminster. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. All areas used by children are accessible. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The property is within walking distance of local schools and amenities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder receives support from the local authority and is developing partnerships with other agencies.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care. Activities which are suitable to each individual child's stage of development and learning enable them to make steady progress in all areas. The uniqueness of each child is recognised and the individual needs of all children are well met. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure individual children's needs are appropriately met and thus promote continuity of care. The childminder is able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision which enables her to make continuous improvements to benefit children's care, welfare and learning.

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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 use of observation and assessment in order to plan appropriate activites to move children forward at a pace suitable to their individual needs  further develop knowledge of child protection procedures in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children  ensure that the daily record clearly shows exact times of attendance.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of evaluating her provision to ensure she effectively meets the individual needs of all children. She is committed to providing a good level of care and learning for the children and attends training to update her knowledge and expertise. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure consistency of care for the children and daily discussions provide parents with information about their child's day. Documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare such as accident and medication records are in place and regularly reviewed. However, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 although the daily record is filled in it does not always accurately record times of attendance. Therefore, children's safety is potentially compromised.

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provision

The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse. However, she has limited knowledge of procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. Therefore, children's welfare is not fully safeguarded. Some written risk assessments are in place, however, they do not include all areas of the premises used or places children visit. Therefore, this could pose a potential risk to children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm and caring environment, where they make steady progress in their development. Children are happy and interact positively with the childminder. The indoor environment is arranged to enable children to make choices about their play and develop their independence. The childminder has developed a good balance between adult interaction and promoting independence by encouraging children to initiate and explore games and activities for themselves. Children develop self esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement, for example, when pegging numbers onto the number line.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's interest and learning is stimulated as the childminder provides a variety of activities to meet children's individual needs and ensures that children's enjoyment and learning is fostered. The childminders knowledge of children's development and personal preferences ensures that children's individual needs and routines are well met. However, the use of observation and assessment has yet to be fully implemented to enable the childminder to plan and extend activities to ensure that children progress at in all areas of learning and development at a pace suitable to their individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy activities which cover all areas of learning and development. They are developing early literacy skills as they look at books and take part in activities to develop pencil control and form letters. They count throughout the day, know that they start counting with the number one and are able to recognise numbers up to 10 with the use of a number washing line. They actively participate in role play activities and enjoy playing Doctors and pretending to drive an ambulance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Daily discussions with parents ensure that children's individual needs are recognised and met well. Children respond appropriately to the childminders methods of behaviour management which is suitable to children's age and stage of development and re-enforces positive behaviour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Parents are informed that the childminder does not take children if they have a contagious illness and exclusion periods for infectious diseases are strictly adhered to. Children are learning about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy. They wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. Outdoor play activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and regular trips to the local park provides children with fresh air and opportunities to experience equipment such as bikes and slides. This contributes to their health and helps them to develop control of their bodies. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe as they learn about fire safety, practise evacuation procedures and are learning to cross the road safely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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: 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

Since registration 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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