Childminder in Walsall

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 EY136820 Inspection date 05/05/2009 Inspector Ann Winifred Harrison

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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 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 17 and 15 years, in the Willenhall area of Walsall. There are local shops, park, library and pre-school group within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog, two rabbits and fish in the pond.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. She is currently minding two children under five years, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. 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 good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to effectively meet children's needs. All the required policies and procedures are in place to effectively keep children safe. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual welfare is promoted effectively. All children's learning and development are supported well and consequently, children are happy and are making good progress. The childminder has started to evaluate her setting and has recognised areas she wishes to address to improve her practice. She is committed to improving her knowledge and skills through ongoing training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system of planning and assessment to plan for individual next steps in learning  develop further opportunites to share observations with parents parents to support and extend childrens learning at home

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provision

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment for the children in her care. All documentation is kept confidentially and details required information regarding children's individual needs. Detailed risk assessments on the premises are in place and are regularly reviewed. This means any potential hazards to children in and around the home are minimised and their safety is promoted. The childminder considers the safety of the children when taking them on outings, she talks to children about how they must stay close to her and that they must take care when crossing the road. On trips to the zoo, she ensures that children are within her sight and that the parks she takes them to are suitable. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children learn about safety in the home as they practice the evacuation procedures and they know to take care on the play equipment in the garden.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminders implementation of a strong partnership with parents. On going discussion and photographs of activities mean that parents are well informed about what their children are doing each day. Parents provide detailed information on their child's individual routine and current stage of development when they start, which enables the childminder to recognise their starting points and meet all children's needs successfully. Parents are also asked to provide details of what their children's interests and favourite toys are at home and this is updated regularly so that the childminder can plan activities around children's individual likes and dislikes. This ensures that individual preferences are considered to meet children's needs.

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provision

The childminder has comprehensive safeguarding procedures so that children are protected at all times. She is familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse and has a good understanding of her role in protecting children. A written statement is available for parents and carers, who are made aware of the childminder's responsibility to report any concerns. The childminder is proactive in accessing training to help her to continually improve her knowledge and skills. For example, she has attended courses such as implementing the EYFS, child protection and first aid. The childminder is beginning to develop her system for regular self-evaluation and improvement to identify areas of strength and areas for development so that outcomes for children are effectively promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and spends the majority of her time engaging and playing with the children. Resources are well organised so that they are easily accessible to children to enable them to become independent learners and make decisions about what they want to do. She ensures that children's favourite toys are available to help them feel at home and feel secure. Children are provided with a range of interesting and stimulating activities to help them make good progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder has started to implement plans which cover all six areas of learning and she completes detailed observational assessments. Although the planning is flexible and responds to the children’s interests and ideas, the information gained from observations and assessments is not being fully explored to plan for individual next steps in learning. This potentially restricts their progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which focus on children's interests. For example, children enjoy learning about the environment as they go on walks to the park and to watch the boats on the canal. They visit the zoo to see a range of animals and enjoy looking at photographs of their outing. They learn about nature as they plant cress and sunflower seeds and watch them grow, they learn that plants need to be nurtured as they water them each day. The childminder recognises the importance of books and children can access them at all times. They enjoy listening to stories and visit the library to choose books. They have access to writing materials and have good opportunities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to practise their mark-making skills. Good questioning by the childminder helps children to problem solve; when going to the shops she asks children to get three

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

apples and helps them to count coins to pay for their goods. She extends this learning at home with role play, as she provides a large cardboard box which children make into their own shop. She builds children's confidence by supporting their learning, such as when playing with playdough she helps them to look at the shapes and talks about the texture of the dough. Children are learning about the wider world as the childminder talks to them about other cultures and people's differences in books and stories, and they play with resources such as figures and dolls. This promotes children's understanding of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and the childminder provides a variety of healthy lunches, such as sandwiches and salad or jacket potatoes and this helps to keep children healthy. They learn about healthy eating as the childminder explains to them that fruit is good for them and that sweets are best as occasional treats. They are able to take a drink when they wish as the childminder ensures their individual cups are accessible and prompts younger children to take a drink frequently. Children's health is further promoted through good opportunities for fresh air and outdoor play. They enjoy daily walks to the school and play in the garden on bikes, swings and a trampoline. They choose to play in the outdoor play house where they can use their imagination as they play with trucks, dolls and pushchairs and they particularly enjoy picnic lunches in the garden. 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

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