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 255671 Inspection date 15/06/2009 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 1988. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 11 years in the Withymoor village area of Dudley, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor and two first floor bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor 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 when working alone and a maximum of six children in total when working with an assistant. She is currently minding three children in the early years age range. 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. She is a member of the local childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children settle well with the childminder and enjoy their time with her and her family. Most arrangements to promote children's welfare and are implemented effectively. Children develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners; they make good progress in almost all areas of their learning and development. The partnerships with parents and others are strong and this reinforces consistency of care and ensures continued awareness of children’s individual needs. The childminder has carried out an effective self-evaluation of the provision resulting in identified steps to be taken to improve outcomes for all children and a better understanding of how the setting is run in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child is obtained  provide children with appropriate support and opportunities to help them develop their physical skills; this specifically relates to their ability to travel around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment.

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provision

The childminder works effectively with her assistant to ensure the needs of all children are met. The organisation of daily routines and activities is good and means that children can develop and learn in a safe, secure and homely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment. Most records, policies and procedures required to ensure the welfare and safety of the children are generally well maintained. Although the childminder has not obtained information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for them. The childminder has developed her systems to formally plan activities which meet the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Observations are carried out and recorded enabling the childminder to assess the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a generally good

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provision

understanding of the EYFS, developing her knowledge through training. She holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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provision

The partnership with parents and carers is good. The childminder has effective arrangements in place to maintain a two-way flow of information with parents. They are able to view children's assessment records in order to understand the progress their child is making. Information is provided on the activities children are engaged with, this helps parents to be involved in their child's learning. For example, children have taken home lettuce plants to grow at home, sharing the experience with their families. Arrangements to share information on children's development with other providers and settings children attend are generally well managed. This helps ensure a consistent approach is used to support children's learning and development.

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provision

The childminder ensures children's safety is generally well managed. Daily checks are carried out on premises and equipment. This enables the childminder to remove from play any toys or equipment that are not suitable and to fit safety equipment where required. An annual risk assessment is carried out and any outings children are taken on are assessed for safety and suitability. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and protects children from harm or neglect by following Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in relation to recording and reporting any concerns.

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provision

The childminder has systems in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of her provision. Parents and children are involved in the process as their views are sought. For example, children cut out and stick pictures of activities they enjoy the most at the childminder's home. The childminder continues to develop her own professional development through training in order to fully support all children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder and assistant provide children with a broad range of interesting age-appropriate and enjoyable experiences. Children are making good progress in their learning and development. They are content and happily engaged in activities supported and encouraged through the good interaction with the childminder and assistant. The range of activities covers all areas of learning and takes into account children's interests. The childminder uses her good understanding of child development when teaching children. For example, the childminder understands that some children learn through repeating patterns of play. Their interests are used as a starting point to introduce new concepts such as putting cars into the messy play to encourage exploration of texture or introducing numbers and colours This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when sorting and matching the cars.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming competent learners using the good range of toys and activities to satisfy their curiosity and help develop perceptual and spatial awareness. For example, manipulative and interactive toys capture children's interest and provide opportunities for them to learn about size and shapes as they use a shape sorter or develop their understanding of letters and sounds, using and listening to an interactive game. Children re-enact familiar scenes with the help of people, props and resources. They play imaginatively and creatively using a doctors set or dolls which they feed and care for. The childminder helps children to extend they play by joining in, when appropriate, to ask questions or suggest ideas. Children's language development is encouraged through conversation, stories, songs and rhymes. They learn that marks have a meaning as they draw chalk pictures on the paving slabs or use pencils and crayons to draw faces or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children find out about the world around them through growing plants and vegetables in the garden or going on walks and outings. They find out about living creatures, collecting bugs and insects in the garden, observing them and extending the activity by making models with dough. They learn about the wider world using resources and activities which represent other cultures and diversity such as small world toys and books. Food tasting activities enable them to experience different tastes and learn about healthy foods. Children develop their physical skills such as co-ordination and stamina when going on walks or in the home or garden. Children use a range of outdoor physical toys but have limited opportunity to develop their skills using climbing and balancing apparatus.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are good opportunities for children to learn about safety. They learn the importance of fire safety participating in activities which help them learn how to behave in the event of a fire. Additional resources are loaned to enable the childminder to extend this activity further with the children. They learn to walk safely when on walks and to behave safely in the home. They are learning right from wrong, to play co-operatively sharing activities and how to sit at the table and learn social skills and manners at meal times. They are provided with healthy meals and snacks and regular drinks of water this ensures they are well nourished and hydrated at all times. 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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