Savage Joanna Kathleen

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 228266 Inspection date 16/06/2009 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 a childminder since 1986. She works with an assistant and lives with her husband in a house in the Four Oaks area of Sutton Coldfield. The house is within walking distance of local public transport, parks, shops and primary school. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a garden available for outside play. The premises are accessed by several steps up to the front entrance. The family have a cat.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently eight children attending of whom, four are within the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools and attends a toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is an approved childminder for the 'Quality First' assurance scheme. The childminder receives support from the local authority and is developing partnerships with other agencies.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care, where they are well supported and are making good progress in their learning and development. The uniqueness of each child is recognised due to the childminder's exceptionally good understanding of children's individual needs and her wholly inclusive practice where all children are valued and made to feel welcome. Extremely positive relationships with parents and other professionals are fostered in order to identify and meet children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care. She is well-organised and all required documentation is in place. The childminder carries out a self-evaluation of her provision and continually monitors her practice to ensure children's needs are effectively met.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for assessment to ensure children move forward in their learning and development.

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provision

The childminder is passionate about the service that she provides. She is highly motivated and totally committed to providing a high level of care and education to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children. The childminder is experienced This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and extremely competent. She holds a childcare qualification and attends training on a regular basis to update her knowledge and expertise which enables her to further enhance her good practice. The childminder is very well-organised and manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. The environment is totally child orientated and utilised to its full potential to provide children with choices about what they wish to play. Her flexible planning develops through the interests of children and ensures that they benefit from an extremely good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities that

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provision

All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place. Additional written information and policies relating to the setting support the childminder’s good practice. The childminder works very well with parents and other agencies in order to develop a consistent approach in meeting children's needs. This ensures consistency of care and helps children to settle well. Parents are provided with information about their child on a daily basis and through individual folders of children's work, observation and photographs. Additional information is displayed on the wall of the playroom. Parents views are sought through questionnaires and comments as are the views of the children who attend.

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provision

Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and practised effectively to ensure that children are very well protected. The childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care ensures that their welfare is fully safeguarded. Premises are safe and secure and detailed risk assessments which cover all areas used by children and outings they participate in ensures that any potential risks to children have been minimised. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating the service that she provides and ensures the strengths and weaknesses of the provision are effectively identified to maintain continuous improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident in the childminder's care and have formed good relationships with each other and the childminder. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their specific needs recognised and met appropriately. They eagerly participate in a range of exciting activities which are stimulating, ensuring children remain interested and motivated. The childminder knows each child well. She demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and plans a varied range of age appropriate activities to ensure children remain interested and stimulated and regularly observes children's progress. However, the information gained is not used sufficiently to ensure children are covering all six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports the children’s individual learning well by asking questions that encourage children to think and skilfully developing mathematical and communication skills within everyday situations. For example, counting the segments of an orange as the childminder peels it for them to eat. They enjoy and participate in a varied range of aged appropriate activities and especially enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 time spent outside in the fresh air where they have access to a wide range of toys and resources that help develop their physical skills. They enjoy looking at books and visiting the toy library. They make marks using a variety of different materials such as chalks, paint and crayons and frequently participate in cooking and craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection which are shared with parents. They develop a good understanding of how to stay safe. For example, the childminder regularly practises the fire evacuation procedures with them to ensure they are aware of where to go to stay safe. Through daily routines children learn about healthy foods and good hygiene practices such as washing their hands after toileting and before eating. They behave extremely well and respond to the childminder's positive methods of behaviour management and the childminder’s use of praise and encouragement at all times promotes children's self-esteem. Children learn about the wider world as they access a wide assortment of resources which promote positive images of diversity. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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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