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 205025 Inspection date 21/04/2009 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 was registered in 1999 and lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 11 years. They live in a residential area situated on the outskirts of Worcester city. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, daycare settings and schools within walking distance. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and daycare settings. Children are taken on local visits and outings. The family has one dog, two cats and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The premises are accessed via one step to the front door. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently nine children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for older children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children’s learning and development are well promoted as they benefit from a wide range of interesting and challenging, planned and spontaneous activities. The childminder provides children with a stimulating learning environment, where their individual needs and interests are well supported. Children's welfare is successfully promoted in a safe, friendly and homely environment. The childminder has built very good relationships with parents and carers, and has started systems for liaising with other settings which children also attend. Although the childminder has started systems for self- evaluation, these are not yet sufficiently developed to ensure she is able to make continuous improvements in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation system further to ensure priorities for making improvements in all areas are identified and implemented  develop systems for planning activities further to ensure these are consistently evaluated and used to inform future planning so that individual children’s learning and experiences are fully extended.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder’s commitment to providing good quality childcare. The childminder is committed to developing her knowledge and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experience, and regularly attends local appropriate training. Children benefit from the childminder’s commitment to further development as she ensures any changes or good practice are implemented into the care provided. Children are happy and settled in a safe, friendly and homely environment. Their independence is nurtured as they are able to self-select from the wide range of good quality, interesting toys and resources to instigate their own play. The effective partnership with parents and carers plays a key part in providing high quality care and early education for individual children. The childminder is aware of the importance of involving parents and carers in the care of their children and constantly consults with them, ensuring

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provision

they are kept fully informed of how their children spend their day. The effective policies and procedures work in practice to safeguard children and promote their health and well-being. The childminder has effective systems for gathering relevant information from parents and carers when children first start, to ensure individual children’s routines are adhered to.

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provision

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle and being cared for in a safe environment. The childminder has carried out and recorded risk assessments of the home and equipment and understands the importance of assessing potential risks before going on any outings. Inclusive practice is promoted as the childminder encourages children's positive self-esteem and adapts the activities to ensure all the children are able to join in at their own level. Good progress has been made since the last inspection, which has had a positive impact on children's experiences. Self-assessment is evident in the childminder’s practice and the she has a clear vision for high quality and inclusive care. The childminder has started to identify some of the areas within the provision which need further development, such as plans to extend the current outdoor play facilities to give children more opportunities to develop their experiences in the fresh air. However, the self-

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provision

evaluation system is still under development and is not yet sufficiently robust to ensure that areas for making improvements in all areas are identified and acted upon.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's development and learning are stimulated due to the appropriate positive interaction with the childminder. Space and resources are well organised to enable children to participate enthusiastically in a wide range of interesting activities that meet their play and development needs. Children have formed harmonious relationships with their peers and the childminder. They are comfortable with the childminder and have built a warm and trusting relationship. Children’s language skills are developed through their love of books and story telling, as well as joining in with relaxed everyday conversations. Young children are encouraged to use their vocals, experiment with sound and develop their vocabulary. Children have many opportunities to extend their imagination and creative skills. They enjoy using the wide variety of craft and natural materials to create brightly coloured collages and textured pictures. For example, they collect fallen leaves whilst out

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

walking and use these to print and make pictures from crayon rubbings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are progressing well in their learning and development as they benefit from an exciting range of activities, which are specifically planned to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual children’s preferences and needs are fully catered for. There are systems in place to observe and assess children's learning and development. The childminder successfully uses these records to plan interesting activities which help individual children to move on to the next stage in their development. However, the activity plans are not consistently evaluated and used to inform future planning to ensure children are given every opportunity to extend their learning and experiences. Children are treated with respect and their confidence is encouraged and nurtured through daily activities and routines. They have access to resources and activities that promote positive images of diversity. They are made aware of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their surroundings and the wider world through planned activities which are linked to their own particular interests. They are given opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world through interesting topical work. For example, as part of the current topic children are observing the life cycle of frog spawn turning to tadpoles and frogs. The childminder helps children to extend their understanding through related activities, such as encouraging them to find out more about how tadpoles grow their limbs, through use of relevant literature, drawing pictures and observing the tadpoles as they grown each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s safety and well-being are well promoted through effective health and safety procedures. They are made aware of safety through everyday routines and activities. For example, children learn about road safety when out walking and safety around the home, such as how to safely climb and descend the stairs when visiting the toilet. Children are made aware of healthy living through a variety of activities which include regular opportunities to exercise and develop their physical skills. For example, they enjoy taking part in local outings, such as visiting the local park, where they are able to develop their climbing skills and join in with parachute games. 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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