Childminder in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300512 Inspection date 06/11/2009 Inspector Patricia Webb

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 registered since 2005. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and two children aged 18 months and four years in the Wednesfield area of Wolverhampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. Two bedrooms are also cleared for use for overnight care. There is a fully enclosed rear garden laid out on one level to patio and grass.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years of whom one may be in the early years age group at any one time. There is currently one child on roll in this age range. Older children are also cared for and this provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered to offer overnight care for a maximum of three children at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a homely, family-orientated environment, settling easily and interacting positively with the childminder and her family. The childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements is developing, although there are gaps in meeting some requirements fully. She is in the process of updating and reviewing some procedures and practice. The process for evaluating the impact of the practice is in its infancy and means that some aspects are not fully identified and prioritised for improvement although the childminder is eager and motivated to implement the EYFS effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process for identifying children's starting points in order to plan effectively for the next steps in each child's progress  improve the system for recording parental acknowledgement of attention to minor accidents and the administration of medication  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments for outings and trips  develop the processes for evaluating the quality of the practice in order to identify and prioritise areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's care and learning is generally well promoted because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are safeguarded because she understands her legal duties and responsibilities regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has attended recent training in this area of childcare. Clear guidelines are shared with parents and carers who can be assured of the commitment to act in the best interests of the child at all times. Clear risk assessments demonstrate that the childminder carefully checks the environment on and off the premises to reduce the risk of harm to children. The record of risk assessment does not yet include specific outings and trips although the childminder is confident in identifying potential hazards at each of the venues regularly visited.

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the early years provision

The childminder has committed an offence by failing to notify Ofsted of significant events that impact upon the childminding arrangements. This is a specific legal requirement in the Statutory Framework for the EYFS. Ofsted does not intend to prosecute on this occasion. The childminder took appropriate action to ensure that there was no negative impact on minded children. Working alongside the co- minder, effective policies and procedures are in place to keep parents informed about matters regarding their children's care, welfare and development. Whilst records are maintained for the administration of medication and attention to minor accidents, the noting of parents having been informed of these incidents is not included in all entries and potentially impacts on children's overall welfare and continued good health.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her home effectively to offer a welcoming environment. A wide selection of resources are available and children are encouraged to make independent choices about their activities using the available space indoors and outside with confidence. The childminder and her co-minder work closely to offer a secure and collective approach to the service. This ensures that each child's needs are generally identified and met following discussion with parents to promote a consistent and familiar routine. Partnerships with other settings are progressing as there are links with the local maintained nursery to promote consistency and continued progression.

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and outcomes for children

Having arrived at the childminder's home after the more structured school session, children know that they can relax and choose their activities, developing independence and self-selection. They request their favourite board game, confident in the interaction and support they receive from the childminder. They develop firm friendships with the other children and enjoy relating some of the happenings of the day with the childminder. They go to the childminder for reassurance and cuddles developing their confidence and aiding self-esteem. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Numeracy skills are encouraged through everyday activities such as noting the time on the clock when preparing for lunch and counting the pieces of cheese on toast as they tuck in. Dice are used effectively in the board game as children calculate the moves and celebrate when 'Thomas the Tank Engine' wins. They

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and outcomes for children

learn to solve simple problems and develop reasoning as they piece together the cars and garage track, sharing and taking turns with gentle reminders from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed positively, with consistent boundaries in place and an expectation of good manners being displayed. Consequently children respond well, using 'please' and 'thank you' as a matter of course. This is because they have positive role models in the childminders and can learn by example. Children's progress is being plotted in a simple but pertinent way with a developing awareness of how to plan for the next steps in a child's development and learning. This is slightly hindered as the process of noting children's starting points is not yet fully established, impacting on how swiftly a child's progress can be established. Parents are informed of the observations and have ready access to their child's records as they wish.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and routines to promote their health and well-being. The childminder follows effective procedures for reducing the risk of the spread of infection encouraging children to dispose of soiled tissues with care and washing their hands appropriately. Minor accidents are managed efficiently as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and maintains a suitably stocked first aid kit. Children enjoy activities indoors and outside, testing their skills and confidence on the various sized swings and using a range of wheeled toys to develop balance and steering skills. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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