Price Christine

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 250423 Inspection date 03/06/2009 Inspector Bernadina Laverty

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 12 years. They live in Fordbridge, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden area available for outside play, part of which is fenced off as there is a fish pond. The childminder's home is accessible via a step at the front entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides a before and after school service and regularly attends local pre-school groups and takes children to the local park. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for five children. The childminder is currently minding five children on a full-time and part-time basis, two of whom are within the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is an active member of the local childminder support group and also a member of the National Childminding Association(NCMA). She holds an Early Years Qualification and Quality First Assurance Award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Every child is valued and welcomed into this homely, stable setting. Children are lively, enthusiastic learners who make exceptional progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) due to the childminder’s excellent understanding how children learn and develop. Partnerships with parents/carers and other setting are extremely effective in ensuring excellent outcomes for children. The childminder is highly motivated and continuously evaluates and reflects on her practice to ensure ongoing improvement and a high quality service.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further improving her professional knowledge in order to consolidate and enhance reflective practice.

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provision

Leadership and management of this setting is of exceptional quality because children are cared for by a highly professional, passionate childminder. Excellent attention is given to ensuring children’s safety and well-being because the childminder is fully conversant with safeguarding procedures and her duty to report concerns. By attending ongoing training, she ensures she keeps up-to-date with current guidelines and initiatives including how to deal with bullying. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play in a very safe environment because the childminder is very vigilant and has implemented excellent systems to ensure children are safeguarded. These include detailed risk assessments for both indoors and on outings, ensuring potential hazards to children are identified and minimized and adults undergoing Criminal Records Bureau checks to demonstrate their suitability to be around children. The

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provision

homely environment and garden are extremely well-organised and inviting for children. Very high quality resources, suitable for a broad age range are easily accessible ensuring children can be independent and guide their own play.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of how best to promote children’s learning because she is extremely sensitive to children’s individual needs and personalities. The childminder has fully embraced the EYFS and implements it with it ease and expertise. She is an excellent role model to other childminders, having embarked on the next level of her professional development by undertaking an Early Years Foundation Degree. The childminder is extremely proactive in evaluating her service and identifies future targeted training, such as undertaking Early Years Professional Status to further develop her professional knowledge and enhance her practice. Parents/carers are kept well informed about the childminding service through daily discussions. Recent feedback from questionnaires highlights very positive comments from parents/carers who clearly appreciate the communication systems and the

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provision

childminder’s flexible professional approach. As an experienced, well-established childminder she has fostered excellent links with local settings. For example, she shares her activity planning with children's schools and nurseries to ensure an excellent two-way flow of information being exchanged.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are motivated, happy learners who make excellent progress within the EYFS. Children’s progress is recorded in detailed learning journeys that clearly reflect children’s starting points and achievements in all areas of learning. This information is shared with parents on an ongoing basis and their comments and contributions welcomed. Inclusive practice underpins this setting and children are learning about other cultures and the wider world through books, resources and interaction with each other. Children’s individual interests are catered for as the childminder has an excellent selection of resources to cover a variety of themes including road safety, festivals and mini-beasts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident, relaxed and spontaneously use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, demonstrating excellent manners and respect for each other. Children’s behaviour is outstanding as they share resources and compliment each other whilst playing. For example, one child tells another child that her picture is beautiful. The childminder skilfully encourages children’s literacy skills by encouraging children's language and thinking skills. Children have wonderful opportunities to write for a purpose as they write cards and envelopes to send to their friends and family. Children learn to communicate in different ways including Makaton sign language. During snack time, early calculation skills are encouraged as a child states how many more cherries are needed to make four. Older children are encouraged to complete jigsaw puzzles of 150 pieces to encourage their understanding of shape 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

and develop their problem solving skills. Children enjoy gardening outdoors, planting pumpkins and tomatoes to eat at a later date. Children’s creativity is encouraged through music as they play with a variety of instruments including maracas, shaking them to the rhythm of the music. Children’s imagination is evident as their pictures and artwork, such as ladybirds and jellyfish are displayed throughout the childminders’ home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a healthy life style as they drink plenty of fluids and eat fruit and vegetables including gooseberries from the garden. Daily exercise is encouraged as they go on regular walks within the local vicinity and use a variety of equipment, such as bikes to develop their peddling skills. The garden area is well resourced to ensure children can initiate their own play outdoors. Detailed documentation to ensure the safe management of the provision includes record cards to ascertain information relevant to every child’s background and needs and accident recording information. Children are encouraged to be responsible for their own safety through experiences and discussions. For example, children take part in regular fire drills and the childminder highlights the danger associated with the garden pond as children excitedly watch the wildlife the pond attracts including Herons. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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