Childminder in Dudley

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 EY318119 Inspection date 06/05/2009 Inspector Janette Elizabeth Owen

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 15 in Dudley in the West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor, first floor main bedroom and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and nursery. She is a member of the local childminding network and 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 uses her good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements to ensure children have access to learning opportunities that meet their individual needs well and keep them actively engaged; they are making good progress in their learning and development. She has a positive attitude towards promoting inclusion and supporting all children but limited experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or English as an additional language. Records, policies and procedures are well- maintained, in line with requirements and reflect the good practice used by the childminder to promote the welfare of the children. The partnerships with parents and other agencies are generally good ensuring that children’s learning and welfare needs are met. The childminder has carried out an effective self-evaluation

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

of the provision resulting in identified steps to be taken to improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further an awareness to the needs of children learning English as an additional language.

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provision

The organisation of the childminding is well-managed. The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS and makes effective use of the learning and development and welfare requirements to ensure her practise is good overall. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Consequently, children's welfare, care and safety are promoted well. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training. She continues to update her knowledge by attending training workshops. She is working towards a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development.

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provision

All documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are used to support the good practice used by the childminder to promote positive outcomes for all children. There are good arrangements to ensure a two-way flow of information between parents and the childminder. Parents are able to write comments in their child's "pass back" diaries and talk to the childminder about any changes to care routines or concerns on a daily basis. The childminder obtains the necessary information on children's individual care routines, information on the child's stage of development and any consents when the child is first minded. This information is used to enable the childminder to plan an inclusive range of activities which help children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children's progress folders are shared with parents, providing them with details of their child's development and opportunities to discuss how to they can work with

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provision

the childminder to enable children to make further progress. The childminder is working in partnership with the nursery children also attend to enable a consistent approach to be used to support children's care and development.

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provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards promoting inclusion. Although she has limited experience of providing care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language she understands the importance of working with parents and other professionals to ensure all children get the support they need. Activities and resources are adapted to ensure all children are able to join in and play together. However, she has yet to fully develop strategies that can be used to effectively support the needs of children learning English as an additional language.

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provision

The childminder implements good procedures to maintain children's welfare. Their good health is protected because the childminder follows good hygiene procedures. She holds a current first aid certificate enabling her to deal with any accident that may arise and medication is administered only with written parental consent. She takes positive steps to keep children safe. The premises are secure and safety equipment is fitted where required. Risk assessments are carried out on the premise and outings. This means that the childminder is able to identify any potential risk to children and take appropriate steps to minimise them. Children's safety has been improved because the childminder has taken action to address the safety issues identified at the last inspection. Children are protected from harm or neglect; the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and updates her knowledge through training and reading professional publications. She

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provision

follows Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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provision

The childminder has carried out a self-evaluation of her provision, identifying areas where she can improve outcomes for children further. She has involved parents, children and her network co-ordinator encouraging their comments through discussions and questionnaires. Comments from parents are positive showing that they very happy with the care their children receive and the quality of the educational programme. 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

Children have good opportunities to learn about being healthy. They regularly access outdoor play and outings to parks and soft play facilities provide further opportunities to be active and get fresh air. The childminder has taken part in an exercise programme "Active Dudley" which enables her to use physical exercise session safety and effectively with children. Children learn about healthy eating as they participate in activities such as food tasting and cookery. Plans to introduce children to growing their own vegetables have been highlighted in the self- evaluation. Children develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe; they learn about personal safety, how to play safely and to cross roads safely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a good relationship with the childminder. They are encouraged to learn positive codes of behaviour such as sharing and showing consideration for others. They follow house rules which encourage an understanding of respect and care such as changing out of outdoor shoes. The childminder is a good role model, ensuring fair play and using praise to raise children's self-esteem and confidence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to a varied range of resources which are used effectively to support their learning and development. For example, children enjoy activities such as craft activities, role play, stories and table games indoors and explorative play, painting and physical play outdoors. This range helps to maintain children's interest as well as providing a good range of learning experiences for them. They develop their independence as they make choices about what they play with and whether to play indoors or outside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Activities are inclusive and planned around children's interests, their starting points and any specific areas for development. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child's interests when encouraging them to acquire new skills and understanding. For example she uses children's interest in cars to introduce concepts of number, colour and size. Cookery activities enable children to learn about numbers, and measurement and a pictorial recipe help children learn that writing has a purpose. Observation and assessments of children's progress are recorded. The childminder uses this information to identify the next steps in children's learning and to incorporate these areas into children's individual learning plans.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's language, creativity and imagination are supported well. Children engage with the childminder who encourages their conversational skills, talking to the children, posing questions and allowing children to share their own experiences. They are developing their enjoyment of books, visiting the library and listening to stories or story tapes at home. Imaginative play allows children to act out situations they are familiar with, to develop self-care skills as they put on dressing up clothes. Craft activities and music provide opportunities for children to be creative, imaginative and to be physically active as they dance and move to music. Children learn about the world around them watching the birds and insects in the garden or finding out about the wider world when they join in with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 celebrations and events such as Chinese New Year. They are developing an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

awareness of differences in the world in which they live. 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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