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 255717 Inspection date 28/04/2009 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

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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Brierley Hill area of Dudley. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding.

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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 two 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 takes and collects children from the local school. 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 has a good understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which enables her to support children in making good developmental progress. Partnerships with parents and others are strong and this helps to involve them in the children’s care and education, parents are kept well informed of their child's progress. The childminder is well organised and arrangements to promote children's welfare are implemented effectively in a welcoming, homely and secure environment. The practice is inclusive and the childminder has effective systems to ensure the individual needs of children are met. The quality of the setting’s self- evaluation gives the childminder and those in charge a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the early years provision

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further knowledge and understanding of how children who are disabled or have special education needs will be included and supported, and how reasonable adjustments will be made for them.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and knowledgeable. She is well organised and used her good knowledge of child development and the EYFS to effectively support children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children make good progress given their starting points and capabilities because the childminder plans a range of activities which enable all children to acquire new skills and understanding. Observations are carried out and an assessment is made of the progress each child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is making. Information on each child's development is recorded in their Journal and shared with parents, showing the progress they are making overall. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child and the observations to plan the next steps in the child's learning and development. Children's Journals, complete with written details and photographs, show that children are making progress

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provision

The partnership with parents and others such as practitioners from other settings children attend, are good. For example, the childminder has developed a working partnership with the local school children attend, to share information on their development. Parents and carers are provided with good quality information about the care their child receives and the educational programme. This includes a parent pack, written policies, advice leaflets and details of activities children are engaged in. Arrangements to maintain a two-way flow of information and expertise ensure children's individual routines are respected and that parents can discuss any concerns they may have. Consequently children receive consistency in their care and learning.

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provision

Children’s welfare is enhanced because positive steps are taken by the childminder to promote children’s good health and well-being. Hygiene procedures are followed to ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised and that children learn to manage their own personal hygiene. The childminder follows good procedures when managing accidents and administering medication. She holds a current first aid certificate. This ensures children’s needs met if a medical emergency arose. The childminder carried out risk assessments and uses safety equipment where appropriate. Consequently children's safety is managed well, both within the premises and outside. She has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and is able to protect children from harm because she follows the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and suitability checks are carried out on all household members.

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provision

The childminder has carried out a self-evaluation of the quality of her provision, identifying areas where outcomes for children can be improved further and how the childminder can enhance her professional development. For example, she has identified a need to further develop her knowledge of Special Education Needs (SEN) to enable her to more fully support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those for whom English is a second language and to develop more opportunities for children to develop their physical skills and abilities. Children's safety has been improved because the childminder has effectively addressed recommendations discussed at the previous inspection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to settle well and enjoy the time spent with the childminder. They are able to engage in a balance of adult-led and child-led activities that result in children being active learners, confident and self-assured. They show they are happy and developing secure attachments to the childminder through their confidence and close contact with her. They chat about what they are doing, offer suggestions for activities they want to do and enjoy settling down on the sofa for a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 story or to listen to a story CD. The childminder supports children's learning, emotional and physical development well. Their individual routines are respected, for example the childminder knows that children sleep best when taken for a walk in the buggy so a walk is arranged, enabling children to have a good rest and wake refreshed. The childminder uses her good understanding of each child's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

capabilities when providing opportunities for learning, adapting activities to meet their individual needs. She follows their interests and includes different aspects of learning to ensure a balanced approach is achieved across all areas of learning. For example, children learn about the community in which they live, observe changes in their environment and get fresh air and exercise when going on a walk to watch diggers on building site nearby.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The positive interaction between the childminder and children help them make good progress in their communication, language, literacy and numeracy. Children are confident talkers, able to express themselves. They use language and their developing vocabulary well. The childminder encourages language development by introducing concepts such as positional language, numbers, size and shape in everyday play such as fitting a road track together; children follow instructions and achieve a complete track to put the cars on. Visits to the library enable children to develop their enjoyment of books and their early reading skills. Spontaneous events such as playing in the snow or observing insects in the garden enable children to use their natural curiosity to explore and investigate and to make sense of the world around them. They learn about the wider world as they participate in activities and celebration of festivals and events.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to understand and adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene practices and make healthy choices about what they eat and drink. They develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe. For example, children are taught road safety, evacuation procedures and house rules. They are learning right from wrong and how to play together, sharing toys and being helpful. Their confidence and self-esteem are promoted well through praise and encouragement. 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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