Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in DudleyOfsted inspection, 1 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY389725 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Rebecca Johnson / Mary Kelly

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Type of setting Childcare on domestic premises 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 setting

The childminder was registered in 2001 and re-registered as Care4urkidz in March 2009 to provide childcare on domestic premises where a minimum of four people work together to deliver the childcare. The setting operates from three rooms on the ground floor of the providers home and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The setting is open 24 hours a day, seven day a week, all year round.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 23 children within the early years age range may attend between 6.00am and 10.00pm and six children in the early years age range for overnight care. There are currently 16 children in the early years age range on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. Older children can also attend. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The provider has two dogs, who children can have contact with if parents request. They have their own separate outdoor and living areas.

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Description of the setting

The setting currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

A total of eight staff work with the children, seven of whom hold, or are working towards obtaining, a childcare qualification. The provision receives support from the Local Authority and works in partnership with other practitioners.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Practitioners are dedicated, enthusiastic and work very well-together to create a homely and totally child-centred environment for all children. The use of robust and extensive in-depth risk assessments ensures children safety is maintained at all times. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development, and the use of learning journals, which are further enhanced by individual digital photos and video excerpts, provide parents with a more detailed snapshot of what their children do whilst in the setting. The setting is wholly inclusive and each child is valued and respected. Practitioners establish and maintain excellent partnerships with the parents to ensure that the individual needs of all the children are very well-met. There are systems in place to monitor and evaluate the practice within the setting to ensure that continuous improvement is sustained.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the use of the outdoor play area and equipment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well-safeguarded because practitioners fully understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting the children in their care. There are rigorous policies and procedures in place, and staff’s knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) procedures are highly effective, due to training they have received. Procedures for vetting and assessing the suitability of practitioners are stringently implemented. The premises are bright, cheerful and welcoming, and children's creative work and photos are displayed throughout to further enhance this. In-depth risk assessments, which cover all areas and equipment, enable children to move freely and safely within the setting. Extremely good use is made of the premises. Practitioners are very well-deployed, and an extensive range of resources further supports children’s individuality and decision making. In-depth documentation and exhaustive policies and procedures enhance

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the early years provision

the excellent practice and ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision.

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the early years provision

Practitioners are committed to ensuring that the unique needs of each child are identified and met. The provider aspires to provide high quality child care and regularly reflects on the practise within the setting. This ensures continuous improvement is sustained and further enhances a setting that already meets the needs of all children extremely successfully. Although not a specific weakness the garden has been identified as an area that the provider would like to improve and develop. High priority is given to developing staff’s knowledge and expertise through training.

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the early years provision

Practitioners work very well in partnership with parents and other agencies in order to develop a consistent approach in meeting children's needs. Parents are welcomed into the setting and their views are actively sought through the use of questionnaires. Parent’s comments are positive and say that children love the setting as a home from home and receive an excellent level of care and support. They especially value the learning journals which they take home to share with other family members. The good communication between practitioners and parents helps to promote children's care and learning and helps new children to settle well.

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and outcomes for children

The setting is totally child orientated and practitioners strive to ensure that children have fun and enjoy all aspects of their time in the setting. Children thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the excellent balance of adult-led activities and child-initiated opportunities. Practitioners know each child exceptionally well. Parents are asked to complete an Early Years Foundation Stage passport before children start, which requests considerable information regarding their child to ensure practitioners have a good understanding of individual children and how they can effectively meet their needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are making exceptionally good progress in all areas of learning and development. They are fully supported in their learning by knowledgeable practitioners who extend activities and encourage children to think and make decisions for themselves, for example, when mixing water in the sand to make

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and outcomes for children

sand castles. Planning and assessment processes in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework have been implemented and practitioners work closely with the provider to ensure that all areas of learning and development are covered. Learning journals, which record children's progress using photographic and digital evidence, have been implemented. Observation and children's personal choices are used to develop planning and identify children's next steps. This ensures that all children enjoy, achieve and move forward at a pace suitable to their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely confident and very well-settled in the setting. They eagerly participate in an extensive range of exciting and stimulating activities which cover all areas of learning. Literacy skills are enhanced through the use of variety of resources, for example, alphabet puzzles, showing both upper and lower case letters which children match, alphabet pots and an I spy bag, help children to link sounds to letters and name the letter that words begin with. Children specifically enjoy looking at books with the use of story sacks and puppets. They enjoy musical activities where they move to music and dance, play instruments such as tambourines and maracas and often sing spontaneously during their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is supported through clear and concise behaviour management strategies. Practitioners act as positive role models. They foster children's self esteem and offer praise and encouragement at all times. The use of certificates and stickers reinforces positive behaviour. Children understand the importance of following simple hygiene routines. They understand the importance of washing their hands before eating or after messy play. They are very well-cared for if they become sick or have an accident, and there are stringent procedures in place to protect them from infection. They enjoy healthy home cooked meals and snacks, such as pasta dishes, fish, roast dinners and nut roasts served with a variety of fresh vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

The setting is wholly inclusive and all children are welcomed. Activities are totally accessible and a range of resources and activities help children to learn about diversity and the wider world. They access festival bags which contain artefacts relating to other faiths, for example, Buddhists, and regularly celebrate festivals such as, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Eid. Children are beginning to understand about staying safe as they practise evacuation procedures and learn about stranger danger and how to cross the road safely. They are helped by supportive and caring practitioners to feel secure and safe in their environment. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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