Wallace Amanda Dawn

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 EY386267 Inspection date 22/06/2009 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and 10 in the Halesowen area of Birmingham close to local shops, school and park. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access is via two small steps at the front of the house or a level side entrance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently looking after two children who are both in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to take and collect children to and from the local school and also attends other early years settings.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has settled into childminding well and provides a welcoming family home where children's welfare, learning and development is well promoted. She provides an inclusive service and ensures children's individual needs and routines are well met. She shows a strong commitment to continuous improvement through attending a wide range of relevant training to enhance her knowledge and practice. Her partnership with parents is very good and she has some links with other early years settings. She has clear systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the procedures for risk assessment to cover each type of outing  extend the use of the outdoor environment to support children's learning and development.

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provision

The childminder organises her childminding well to ensure that children in her care benefit from good individual attention and enjoy an interesting range of play and learning opportunities. All the appropriate documentation for the safe and efficient management of her provision is in place and is very well organised. The childminder has attended all the required training since registration and also a wide range of additional courses to support her overall knowledge. She has an open and positive relationship with parents and seeks their views both through daily discussion and through the use of questionnaires. She is using the Ofsted self-evaluation form to effectively reflect on her practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents is excellent and the childminder provides a very friendly and approachable service which encourages a good two-way flow of information to

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provision

support the children's development. For example, she often suggests using texts to reassure a new parent. She has compiled a comprehensive prospectus about her service and all its policies and procedures for parents. Useful information is shared during a flexible settling in period on the 'all about me form' so that children's individual needs and preferences are well known. Information about the child's day is exchanged through informal discussion with parents and also the use of the daily diary book, as well as the childminder's own diary records. Each child has their own learning journal which is shown to parents so they share in their successes and work together towards their next steps.

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provision

Children are very well safeguarded in this safe and well-maintained family home where hazards are competently managed due to the childminder's good awareness of potential dangers. She is constantly alert to risks as children become more mobile and inquisitive and has drawn up her own written risk assessment which covers most aspects of the child's day, although outings are not yet sufficiently detailed. She is aware of needing to supervise children carefully around other adults and has clear procedures such as safe collection for ensuring their safety as all times. The childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibilities as regards protecting children from possible abuse and neglect and knows how to pass on concerns appropriately. She has a clear policy which she shares with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's overall development is well supported in this welcoming and family orientated home where the childminder provides good care and attention, so they settle well and make good progress. Children are cared for in a very safe environment where they are beginning to develop their own awareness of safety through reminders from the childminder to be careful as they move and explore their space. They have lots of opportunities to develop physical skills such as crawling and walking as the childminder encourages their early movements and provides appropriate support. They have access to a large garden where they are beginning to enjoy some activities such as water play, although this is not yet fully maximised to support children's development in all areas. All procedures are in place to promote children's health such as thorough nappy changing with gloves and regular washing of hands and daily surfaces. Children are helped to feel happy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and settled by the attention and positive encouragement they receive from the childminder, who also gently sets in place guidelines for their security. Children have easy access to a range of appropriate play resources to support their independent choices and all areas of learning. They have opportunities to develop their social and play experiences as they share time with the family children, for example, enjoying a puppet show put on as a birthday treat. They attend other pre-school groups and visit areas within the community such as the park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are helped to settle by the childminder who is attentive to their needs and provides them with lots of experiences for them to enjoy. The lounge is set out with an interesting range of toys to promote their curiosity and offer different developmental opportunities. The childminder engages very well with the children, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sitting at their level to encourage and support them and providing lots of positive conversation so they feel involved and valued. There is an appropriate balance of children's choice and more adult-led activities such as creative sessions with paint, jelly and 'gloop' or whisking a dessert for lunch. The childminder ensures she knows the children's starting points by careful discussion with parents and the completion of the 'all about me form' and after four weeks a progress review is completed with parents. The childminder is aware of the importance of monitoring

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children's development through observations which she does through her daily diary records, the use of photos and evaluation of certain activities. These identify how play can be extended to promote children's individual learning and are used effectively to plan for their next steps. For example, to support a growing interest in different sounds and music children enjoy experimenting with different musical toys, including home made resources like the tin and wooden spoons. 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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