Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY271136 Inspection date 15/09/2009 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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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

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.

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 13 years. They live in a house in the town of Walsall in the West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the premises is via a step at the front entrance. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for five children under the age of eight years. There are currently five children attending of whom two are within the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is extremely positive about implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure all children meet their full potential. She actively uses the guidance to review and develop her knowledge, range of activities and learning opportunities that incorporate children's interests, helping them to progress well. The childminder has strong relationships and effective information sharing with parents and other professionals. She is committed to ongoing improvement as she consults with parents, seeking their opinion of the service she offers and demonstrating a proactive approach by undertaking further training to develop her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain a copy of the local safeguarding procedure  further develop the planning and observations to ensure all areas of learning are covered.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected because the childminder has accessed relevant training and has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. This duty of care is actively shared with parents to ensure that they are aware of how she would act in the child's best interests at all times. The contact numbers of the relevant agencies are not readily to hand, which restricts the childminder ability to act swiftly should there be any concerns regarding a child in her care. Children are warmly welcomed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 into a family-orientated home. They settle immediately on arrival as the childminder is well prepared, with various selections of activities and resources for them to choose from. Care is taken to check and maintain equipment in order to keep children safe, enabling them to enjoy their activities. The childminder's risk assessment is detailed and she carries out daily checks on the indoor and outdoor

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the early years provision

areas and places she visits, recording hazards she finds. Children understand the danger of fires and know that when they hear the smoke alarm that they should stop playing and go to the entrance.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents and carers and other agencies is good and they receive a wide range of written policies and procedures. This includes information about how parents can make a complaint about the provision. Useful information is obtained from parents at the start of the childminding arrangements. This is used by the childminder to plan and provide care and learning that meets children's individual needs and interests. She is currently undergoing training to update her knowledge of childcare and education as she feels this would assist in her personal development and that of her provision. She has identified areas for improvement within her self-evaluation and comments or suggestions from parents are considered.

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the early years provision

Children are respected and valued and their self-esteem is effectively promoted through the childminder offering them praise and encouragement. Time is taken to gain detailed information about each child in order for the childminder to meet individual needs. There is a varied range of resources and activities available to develop children's awareness of their world as they access books, games and toys reflecting positive images of diversity and the differing needs of others. She has researched information to support children with a range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure she is able to meet their needs effectively.

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the early years provision

There are a good range of resources promoting all areas of learning, of which most are organised well and regular opportunities created for children to access them. The childminder takes appropriate steps to ensure resources and the environment are sustainable through regularly rotating and replenishing of toys and resources to meet the needs of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS. They delight in making choices about their activities from the selection of equipment and various suggestions made by the childminder. She fully understands about motivating children and developing their fun and learning through varied and interesting activities. For example, they made a range of figures from play dough and were excited when they squeezed the dough into the mould and a figure of a man came out. Children are active learners and enjoy a wide range of activities both in and out of the home. Younger children attend groups with the childminder and they enjoy their visits to the local park to play on larger equipment. The children learn about how to care for animals and their environment through visits to the zoo or helping to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

feed the childminders pet rabbit. Food tasting sessions to celebrate festivals and making cards for Eid ensures children gain an understanding of the diversity of their society.

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and outcomes for children

Children designed cards using flowers they picked from the local parks, which they pressed on to card. Problem solving and mathematical concepts are included throughout the activities as children talk about bigger and smaller, learn to recognise shapes and regularly count objects. Children's language is constantly developed as the childminder encourages them to talk about events significant to them and listens intently asking questions to further the conversation. Children's health is effectively promoted because the childminder takes steps to encourage them to follow good personal hygiene routines. Children know why it is important that they wash hands before eating and after using the toilet in order to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. They are offered a balanced meal daily, which includes a selection of fruits and regular drinks throughout the day. Details of their dietary needs are discussed with parents and the childminder is aware of any

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and outcomes for children

The childminder writes a daily diary on each child that includes some photographs, details on how care needs have been met and some information on activities. Information on what their child knows and can do is included in daily discussions between the childminder and parents. Her observations of children's progress include information on 'we thought and we tried', 'we changed' and 'the next steps' as well as the links to the EYFS to create an holistic overview of the children's progress and development. However, not all areas of learning have been covered significantly due to the lack of planning. Children behave well and they understand what the childminder expects of them. She uses an effective system to reinforce positive behaviour with children. She gives praise, encouragement and stickers when children show positive behaviour and recently introduced coloured cards if warnings are given because of unwanted behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

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 2 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 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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