Childminder in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332593 Inspection date 15/01/2010 Inspector Olwen Pulker

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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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 in a suburb of Wolverhampton. The childminder's mother is nominated as her assistant and may be used for additional support if required. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding including use of a dedicated playroom. Minded children access the first floor for toilet facilities only. There is a fully enclosed rear garden with shops and a local park close by.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder walks or drives to the local school to collect children. She attends several local carer and toddler groups and meets with other childminders on a regular basis.

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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

A well-developed knowledge of each child's needs and interests enables the childminder to successfully promote children's welfare and learning. The strong partnership with parents and the childminder's commitment to inclusion means that each child's individual needs are met. Children benefit from the positive interaction with the childminder; they are settled, happy and confident. The childminder evaluates her practice well and demonstrates a capacity for continuous improvement. Comprehensive policies and procedures and generally suitably maintained documentation mostly promotes safe and efficient management of the setting and meets the needs of the children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 12/02/2010

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further?

 maintain a daily record of children's attendance, recording the times of arrival and departure (Documentation). 12/02/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  store children's records in a secure, accessible area where they are immediately available.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures and clearly understands her role in reporting any concerns. She knows of her responsibility to ensure that all people living in the house or those nominated as assistants are made known to Ofsted and are appropriately vetted. All areas within the home are safe and secure for children as a result of daily visual checks completed and ticked off against a checklist before they arrive. However, the childminder does not maintain a full record of the risk assessment covering anything with which a child may come into contact. Children are kept safe whilst away from the setting as risk assessments are carried out for each type of outing in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children's times of attendance, although recorded, are not maintained daily and children's records, including consents for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment are

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the early years provision

The environment is organised to offer children choice, with a varied selection of age-appropriate toys made available in the designated playroom. Children are able to access them freely and make independent selections. Toys seen during the inspection are maintained in good order. There are written policies made available to parents and carers. These give clear information of the service provided by the childminder. Verbal reports, text messages and the sharing of scrap books containing numerous photographs and observational assessments keep parents well informed of their child's well-being and development and contributes to their involvement in their children's learning at home. Recorded comments show that parents value highly the standard of support, care and learning given to their children. They provide information about their children's care needs, likes/dislikes and what they are able to do at the beginning of the care agreement. These

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the early years provision

details enable the childminder to plan appropriate activities from the outset. Although neither of the minded children currently attend another provision, the childminder is aware of sharing information about their activities and achievements to ensure the coherence of learning and development across different settings.

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the early years provision

Recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been suitably addressed. The childminder continually monitors and evaluates the provision to ensure that improvements are made where necessary. Views of parents are carefully considered as part of this evaluation. Children's care, safety and welfare are promoted well as the childminder continues to update her professional skills through attending training. She has gained National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Levels 3 and 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development since the last inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted effectively. The childminder ensures that she and her assistant retain a current paediatric first aid qualification in order to administer appropriate treatment when children suffer minor injuries. Children's dietary needs are met as parents provide packed lunches and snacks. Drinks are offered at regular intervals, ensuring that children remain hydrated. Children begin to learn about food production as they plant and tend various vegetables in the garden and make fruit kebabs as part of a 'Healthy Day' theme. There are many opportunities for all children to play outside in the fresh air either in the garden or at the local park. They are taken on regular trips into the local community, such as visiting local groups or going to feed the ducks. Safety is a key factor when trips are undertaken and all children are helped to stay safe through the appropriate boundaries set by the childminder. In the home they take part in fire drills and

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and outcomes for children

safety equipment placed in appropriate areas ensures all children can play safely. Their understanding of how to keep themselves safe is extended well through play; they know to 'put the seatbelt on' before they 'drive the car' and to dial 999 for help from the fire brigade.

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and outcomes for children

The home is warm and welcoming and the wide range of toys is organised effectively to enable all children to make decisions about their play. Praise given to them as they play helps them to develop a good level of self-esteem. Children develop their social skills further as they mix with other children when attending various groups. The childminder encourages children to share and take turns. She manages behaviour so that children learn what they ought to do and they are beginning to respond positively to her realistic expectations and age-appropriate explanations about how they need to behave in order to keep themselves and others safe. She congratulates the children's efforts and achievements and encourages them to join in singing the 'clean up' song as they willingly help tidy up at the end of an activity. This keeps the play space free, ensuring that the children can move around safely. Children take responsibility for putting empty wrappers in

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and outcomes for children

the bin after lunch and placing paintings to one side to dry.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's positive interaction during children's play ensures they have a positive attitude to learning and enables them to develop good skills for the future. Children are encouraged to concentrate as they take part in activities of their choice and are confident to ask for help when they find things too difficult to do themselves. They relish looking at the photographs in scrapbooks, excitedly recognising themselves, friends and family members. Animated discussions with the childminder about what they see helps them recall past experiences, such as visits to the farm or playing with bubbles in the hot tub. Children enjoy looking at books, either independently or with the childminder, who interacts very effectively with them, asking questions to make them think and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. Their enjoyment of books is further extended as they attend story time sessions at

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and outcomes for children

the library where they also play suitable educational games on the computers. Children consolidate their knowledge of colours, numbers and shapes throughout their play activities and daily routines. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a good knowledge of children's individual interests and what each child is able to do. She undertakes observational assessments of their progress, relating these to different areas of learning. She plans effectively for the next steps and consequently the learning priorities for individual children are clearly identified as they progress towards the early learning goals. 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 3 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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