Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255407 Inspection date 20/10/2009 Inspector Linda Tomkins

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also cares for two children aged eight and nine 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 regularly attends pre-school groups and liaises with other childminders. She 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 has detailed knowledge of the children's home circumstances, interests and abilities which ensures their individuality is well recognised and respected. Generally good partnerships with parents and detailed secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure that children make good progress in their learning. The childminder effectively identifies aspects of her service that she would like to extend and develop. She monitors her service, evaluates by comparing and sharing ideas with other childminders and attends training. Most policies and procedures are well implemented to ensure strong continuity of care and learning and the capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and develop relationships for sharing the children's personal plans folders with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder attends various training courses to extend and enhance her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a strong understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection issues and how to report her concerns. This means that children's learning and care are very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well promoted. The childminder is developing an effective partnership with parents to share information to safeguard children. Although she shares verbal information with parents she does not yet share written progress and development records with parents. She is vigilant about safety issues, which means that children are safe and secure both inside and outside the home. The childminder conducts visual daily safety checks and the majority of detailed risk assessments are regularly reviewed and clearly recorded.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced in offering an inclusive service for children and their families. She is successful in making sure all children make significant progress and enjoy individual support to enhance their learning experience. The childminder works cohesively to form effective partnerships with the nurseries that two of the children attend. She discuss children's next steps in their learning in order to promote continuity and progression. In addition, the childminder is developing methods to ensure parents are fully aware of the details on their children's activities so they can support and extend their learning at home. Parents are encouraged to discuss and comment on their children's progress with the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder is forward thinking in her determination to maintain and improve her good quality childminding service and has recently attended various short courses including workshops on the Early Years Foundation Stage and first aid. She evaluates her strengths and weaknesses with other childminders which enables her to focus on areas for improvement in order to provide consistently good outcomes for children. The childminder provides the children with a range of challenging, exciting experiences which are built-in to daily routines. She has a range of good quality resources and ensures the environment is stimulating, warm and welcoming.

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and outcomes for children

Children's confidence grows as they are provided with experiences and support which help them develop a positive sense of themselves. They are happy and content and enjoy their time they spend with each other and the childminder. Children walk in the local community, visit pre-school groups and attend nursery and school to socialise and learn to respect diversity. Their language is developing as the childminder interacts and joins in with their play and asks them enquiring understandable questions. The varied range of good resources and books are freely available and chosen to read as part of free-play. Children enjoy sitting with the childminder and excitedly pointing to shopping items in their favourite book 'When I go to the supermarket'. They make significant progress and celebrate their achievements with mutual praise and applause. The childminder skilfully ensures daily routines are fully utilised to extend the children's learning experiences such as

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and outcomes for children

asking them help tidy toys away and to help each other.

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and outcomes for children

Resources are stored at low-level for self-selection and the children use them imaginatively as part of their play. For example, the children use different coloured threading strings to form a rainbow on the floor. Children understand the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 importance of keeping safe and respect the inside safety rules such as not running or climbing when inside.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy outings, frequent walks and visits to the park to develop their sense of well-being and physical skills. Personal hygiene is actively promoted by the childminder as she ensures the children progress to independence with personal needs such as managing their clothes as they visit the toilet and washing hands before and after meals. Their developing understanding is extended by linking healthy lifestyle to eating a balanced diet and cooking activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative and readily paint and make their own models. They plan and excitedly take part in their role play. For example, whilst eating pieces of banana children joined the pieces together and said 'I have made a rocket'. They celebrate Divali by attending a school assembly with the childminder and colouring pictures of Divali lights. They enjoy making collages of leaves and twigs that they collect whilst out walking and photographs record children's activities over time.

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and outcomes for children

Children's enthusiasm and self-esteem grow as they are praised and thanked for kind, helpful behaviour. They are rewarded with smiles and hugs for good behaviour and achievements. Children are encouraged to share and take turns and remember to say please and thank you. They are learning skills for the future as they practice early numeracy, communication and literacy skills whilst counting pieces of fruit and enjoying their books.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully assessed from the time they are placed with the childminder to ascertain their starting points. This is done by discussion with parents and the child when appropriate. Progress is monitored by observations which are used to inform the next steps, individual planning and areas where further support is required. Children have frequent opportunities to extend their understanding of the society in which they live though visits, discussion, stories and increasing their awareness of culture and minority groups. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 demonstrate how you will attain a level 2 qualification or meet the common core skills( Qualifications and training). 03/11/2009

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