Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 210387 Inspection date 09/02/2010 Inspector Shirley Amanda Wilkes

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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 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 childminding

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 14 years of age. They live in a semi detached property in Great Wyrley, Walsall, close to local schools and shops. The lounge and playroom are the main designated play/rest areas for the children. They also have use of the dining room for meals and table top activities. and playroom. There is a downstairs toilet also used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll in this age group. Older children are also cared for and this provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well as individuals and shares this information with parents. Children take part in a good range of play and everyday activities that help promote their learning and development. Effective policies, procedures are in place and shared with parents. Risk assessments are undertaken but do not cover everything a child may come into contact with. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice to identity strengths and weakness and this is used to inform future plans to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children’s safety and well being  develop evaluation systems by taking into account parents and childrens views to ensure that the quality of children’s learning, development and care continues to improve

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and understands the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has updated her knowledge about safeguarding children, and information is readily available for reference. All necessary permissions are in place and the correct procedures are followed if a child needs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 medication or if there is an accident. The childminder has a first aid certificate ensuring she would be able to treat a child immediately and appropriately in the event of an accident. The childminder has created a range of polices and procedures that support her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children are safe and secure both inside and outside the home. She undertakes risk assessments to identify hazards within the setting and when she takes children on outings to various locations. However, the risk assessments do not cover everything a child may come into contact with such as the steps in the garden and the water bowls used by the dogs.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes the children on regular outings out of the home to help promote children's learning and development. For example, they regularly visit a local toddler group where children develop social skills as they play with other children of a similar age, and join in group activities such as art and craft. Children are starting to develop an open attitude to people's differences through the childminder's good role modelling when they are out and about. There is a good range of toys and equipment available for children, which they can easily make spontaneous choices from. The childminder supports children to develop an awareness of the diverse world in which they live through discussion, resources and books, some of which she borrows from the local library.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers parents good quality written information about her provision, including copies of all the policies. A daily diary is also in place to ensure parents receive written details of their child's activities and routines. The childminder has addressed the recommendations set at the last inspection, the register now records accurate arrival and departure times. The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision to ensure that that any weakness within the setting are identified but has yet to formalise the seeking of parents and children's views in the process.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and secure in the care of their childminder. They are encouraged to be polite and display good manners. They are making good progress at the childminders. The childminder makes observations on children as they play and uses her assessments and understanding of child development to plan for the next stages in their learning to help them reach their full potential. Children receive regular praise and encouragement for effort and achievement, for example, when completing the large floor puzzle and counting and recognising the numbers in the book which helps build their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in a range of learning experiences through play, everyday activities and outings. Their creative development is promoted through various opportunities to explore various craft materials, at home and during visits to the local stay and play sessions. Resources are available to enable children to act out real life and imaginary situations such as when playing with the cars. The childminder ensures that the children are occupied in activities that they enjoy. Her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive interaction with the children enables them to learn through their play. The childminder is able to interpret the children's early words and gestures to meet their needs. She talks clearly to the children encouraging their speech and language skills. She interacts positively with the children, talking with them to help them recall events and knowledge, develop vocabulary and understand the world

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is being developed with the children being encouraged to independently access the toilet for toileting and hand washing. Children are starting to make choices in what they eat and drink through the childminder providing healthy options at snack time. Children learn about aspects of their own safety when they are out and about. They are able to take part in outdoor play in the enclosed garden and visits to local parks enable them to take part in more physical play using various equipment to help their development. Children feel safe within the home they know the boundaries and are aware of the routine of the day. Children practise the evacuation procedure frequently so if necessary they are familiar with the routine of how to leave the home quickly. 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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