Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255310 Inspection date 24/11/2009 Inspector Julie Mary Preston

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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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband in Pelsall, West Midlands, close to shops, schools, parks and a library. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the property is on ground floor level. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she takes children to the local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also cares for one child aged over eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She works closely with the Learning and Family Support Services and is supported by the Local Education Authority.

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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 provides an inclusive and welcoming environment, having a good knowledge of children's individual needs enabling them to make good progress in their individual learning and development. Children are very happy, settled, confident and enjoy their time at the childminders. Strong partnerships are developed with parents and other agencies to promote consistency of care and a detailed knowledge and understanding individual children. The childminder is continually developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), so that the welfare, learning and development needs of children are successfully met. A good range of policies and procedures are implemented and shared with parents. The childminder is committed to the continual improvement of her provision through ongoing self-evaluation and regular training.

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further?

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

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further?

 review security procedures to ensure the premises remain secure  increase opportunities for children to extend personal independence when accessing and choosing drinks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced in offering an inclusive service for children and their families, working in partnership with families, other agencies and schools in order to achieve this. She is very successful in ensuring all children make good progress from their initial starting points and children enjoy individual support to enhance their learning experiences. She has a good understanding of the EYFS, providing resources and completing activity plans, individual assessments and observations. Partnerships with parents are very strong, information is exchanged well in a number of ways, including daily record books, scrap books, photographs, verbal feedback and sharing children's assessments. The childminder also seeks parental opinions through discussion and has a file of letters and cards from parents commenting on the care of their children and describing the childminder as a lovely person, friendly, kind and caring.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm whilst in the childminder's care, as she demonstrates a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the relevant agencies that need to be informed should she have any concerns. Risk assessments are undertaken both inside and outside the house to reduce any potential hazards to children. The childminder talks to children about safety in order to keep themselves safe and children demonstrated that they were aware that they must not to go too close to the fire guard as the fire is hot. Regular fire drills are practised so that children know how to evacuate the house quickly and safely. However, whilst children are always supervised the security of the premises is compromised as security procedures are not always implemented.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to ongoing improvement, by undertaking self-evaluation and seeking parental views. She continually attends regular short courses laid on by the local authority and other training opportunities to continually enhance and develop her knowledge and skills. For example, she has completed her NVQ Level 3 in early years care and education, Level 2 in food safety in catering and Level 2 in healthier food and special diets. A good range of policies and procedures are used effectively and shared with parents. The childminder provides children with a good range of challenging, exciting experiences daily within routine activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to adopt a healthy lifestyle in many ways as the childminder encourages good hygiene practices and healthy eating. For example, children knew that they must wash their hands before they had their fruit at snack time. She provides daily opportunities for children to have fresh air and exercise and ensures that her premises are clean and well maintained. They develop an awareness of safety issues within their daily routine, for example, they learn about road safety when on outings and walking to and from school. Children's understanding of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diversity is well promoted as resources, activities and experiences support this. For example, doll play outfits reflect those worn by other cultures and children enjoy pushing the doll around in the wheelchair.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a mostly secure and inviting environment for children who attend having a good range of resources that cover all aspects of learning. Children eagerly enter the setting, are happy, interact well with each other and close bonds are evident between them and the childminder. They share, take turns and play well independently and as part of a group. The childminder skilfully engages children during free play and adult initiated activities, promoting and supporting their learning through questioning, discussion and example, providing a good range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. She effectively extends activities regularly incorporating ideas, such as, counting and colour recognition. A good range of resources are used effectively to promote individual children's learning and development. Children's language skills are being extended well by the childminder encouraging them to listen to stories, sing familiar songs and

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and outcomes for children

rhymes and through ongoing discussions undertaken within all activities. Their starting points are identified and they benefit from the good level of support and individual planning to meet their needs, including children who attend the setting with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be independent and confident learners in most instances, for example, toys and equipment are provided at low level enabling children to self-select from the range available. However, children's independence is slightly compromised as they are not able to independently access drinks and are not provided with methods of non verbal communication to support them in making choices about the type of drink that they prefer. They are well behaved and respond well to the childminder's management of their behaviour, enjoying receiving praise and encouragement for their achievements. Children use their imagination and creativity well in a variety of different ways, such as, acting out roles within role play, within construction and when using the wide selection of art and craft resources. The childminder undertakes regular observations in order to effectively monitor children's progress and updates individual assessments. These

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and outcomes for children

are then used as a tool to identify strengths, weaknesses and to allow appropriate planning for children's future learning and development. 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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