Childminder in Walsall

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 EY384861 Inspection date 06/07/2009 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and adult family in Brownhills, Walsall. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the property is via a level pathway and a step up into the porch. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age group and they attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children five years to eight years of age. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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. There is a wide range of interesting and enjoyable activities available for children and this helps them to make good progress toward the early learning goals. The childminder supports all children's learning and development well, planning most activities adequately. She effectively promotes inclusive practice and ensures documentation is well maintained. She has developed successful partnerships with parents and others, which enables her to meet children's individual needs well. The system for self-evaluation is relatively new, however the childminder shows good commitment to continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the planning to fully support children's next steps in leanring  develop further the self-evaluation system to fully identify the settings strengths and priorities for improvement.

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provision

The childminder is working towards an appropriate early years Level 3 qualification. Although, she is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement the system for self-evaluation is in the early stages of development and therefore not yet fully effective. She attends additional training and awareness courses to increase her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and childcare issues.

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provision

Documentation is organised well with robust records for accidents, medication and each child's daily attendance. Risk assessments for the home and garden are in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place and many safety precautions are taken, such as safety gates across the entrance to the kitchen and close supervision of children whilst outdoors. Various outings are undertaken and clear safety procedures are in place and full risk assessment is completed. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to report any child protection concerns.

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provision

She provides a warm and welcoming environment for the children in her care. There is a wide range of easily accessible toys, games and resources which enables each child to make choices in their play. Children are confident and make spontaneous requests for activities. For example, they ask to wash the dolls clothes in a bowl of soapy water, then wring out the wet washing and peg it on an improvised woollen line. Children enjoy a good range of learning opportunities and most activities are organised well. However, not all plans link fully to the EYFS.

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provision

A key strength of the setting is the partnership with parents. Parents evaluation questionnaires on the service provided by the childminder are all positive and complementary. All policies are shared at initial visits and there is an effective settling in procedure for new children which fully involves parents. There is a clear system in place to record who has legal contact and who has parental responsibly. Children's individual needs are discussed and information is exchanged verbally and in writing with parents on a daily basis. The childminder has devised an activity log and development record for each child, and keeps parents fully informed of their child's progress.

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provision

Good links with the local school are established, ensuring continuity of care and learning for older children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is actively promoted within the setting. Parents provide a packed lunch if they wish, otherwise healthy and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks are provided for every child. For example, they have fresh strawberries and grapes at snack time, and their water containers are always available. Younger children’s sleep routines are closely monitored and mirror those of home. The childminder is happy to follow parent’s wishes regarding mealtimes and rest times. There are clear routines for nappy change; and the childminder acts as a good role model by using anti-bacterial spay to wipe down the table before and after activities. This helps to prevent any cross contamination and the spread of infection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The effective organisation of the environment enables younger children to play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder organises play areas well so that children have clear space indoor and outdoor. Children therefore have ‘free-flow’ access to all areas of the ground floor including the downstairs bathroom. This means they are becoming independent learners. They develop good self-esteem and confidence because they are supported to make decisions about what they want to do and are encouraged to do as much as they can for themselves. For example, they change into their school uniforms after lunch, brush their hair and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 look in the mirror to check their appearance. They enjoy messy and creative play and help to tidy away after wiping up any spillages. They engage in role play activities which help them to make sense of their experiences. They enjoy looking

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

at pictures and sharing their favourite books whilst sitting together on the large bean bags in the conservatory. They have access to a games, educational toys and physical play activities such as wheeled toys. This supports children's all round development well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises her day around the needs and routines of the children, which includes attending other settings where they have opportunities to socialise with other children. Praise, smiles and words of encouragement are used very well and as a result, children are well behaved, happy and content. 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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