Childminder in Wolverhampton

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 EY362076 Inspection date 03/08/2009 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2007. She lives with her five-year-old child in the Dunstall area of Wolverhampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding including the toilet facilities. Minded children do not access the first floor. There is a rear garden for outdoor play with low-level steps from the patio up to a grassed play area. All areas used are easily accessible.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding three children, two of whom are in the early years age group. 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 happy and settled in the homely and welcoming environment offered by the childminder. They benefit from an inclusive setting where they are supported to access a varied range of play opportunities promoting their learning and development. The childminder fosters secure partnerships with parents and carers to ensure that they are aware of the policies and procedures at the setting, and information is exchanged about children's changing needs. The systems for liaising with practitioners from the settings that children attend are not yet fully promoted. Most of the required documentation is in place although some parental consents have not been clearly recorded.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure continuity of care, learning and development by sharing relevant information with other providers of the EYFS  continue to develop the systems for oberving and assessing children's progress, sharing the information with parents to actively involve them in their children's learning and development  develop the process for self-evaluation of practice to identify strengths and prioritise areas improving the quality of the provision for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 18/09/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are warmly welcomed into a clean and well-maintained home where they have ample space to play freely indoors and outside. They are able to make choices about their activities as they access a wide variety of resources and equipment. These are displayed attractively to promote independence. Their safety and well-being are key priorities for the childminder who demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. This is shared with parents and carers who are aware of her duty of care to act in the child's best interest at all times.

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provision

The process of evaluating the quality of the provision is developing steadily although this is not yet formalised to clearly prioritise areas for further improvement. However, the childminder is keenly aware of how children learn effectively and is developing her practice around individual children's interests and abilities. Friendly relationships are established with parents and carers, engaging in on-going verbal discussions and sharing relevant information about their children's care and routines. This is not as yet developed with other providers who may be involved in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage hindering how consistency may be maintained for individual children.

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provision

The childminder is beginning to look at how her practice impacts upon the children in her care but this process is not yet sufficiently effective in identifying gaps in the provision such as the recording of parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment to advice or the further development of assessment and observation on children's progress. She does, however, have a strong commitment to developing her practice attending training to keep abreast of relevant issues such as behaviour management and first aid.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled, forming trusting relationships with the childminder enabling then to feel safe and secure. A relaxed atmosphere and the childminder's warm approach contribute strongly to children being very much at ease in the home. The childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the learning and development requirements, planning a flexible routine and range of activities to promote all round progress. Informal observations and assessments are carried out in order to plan to meet individual needs. Whilst these processes are developing, the childminder shows a secure understanding of identifying individual needs and planning to ensure children make progress. For instance, where a child shows clear prowess in early writing and mathematical work, the childminder provides opportunities for a child to further these aspects such as writing shopping lists and working out simple addition and subtraction when purchasing shopping.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children delight in discussing their vegetable plot, describing the cultivation of their strawberries and commiserating over the poor growth of the onions. The childminder is skilful in weaving such activities into the routines to promote healthy living and keeping healthy as the children make smoothies and milkshakes using This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 some of their home-grown produce. They enjoy nutritious and balanced meals and snacks prepared carefully by the childminder who emphasises the social integration during meal times. Good manners are displayed at all times and lots of well- developed conversation takes place as they sit together as a unit to eat meals. They enjoy activities such as dancing and music, and the childminder is aware of how to use such activities to promote the overall development of babies and young toddlers in order to promote their physical development and well-being. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are helped to become aware of their own safety as they participate in emergency evacuation drills and learn to cross the roads safely when on outings. This is due to the childminder conducting suitable risk assessments to minimise hazards to children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are also encouraged to consider the wider world around them through accessing a range of resources depicting positive images of the diversity of society. They also access genuine artefacts from around the world that spark off conversation and discussion about cultural differences and how people live in other parts of the world. Photographs have been taken recently to enable children to consider the impact of the appointment of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America, helping children to begin to learn about being a part of history in the making and develop skills for the future. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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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