Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY384761 Inspection date 19/11/2009 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Kidderminster. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has shown a commitment to improving opportunities for the children in her care by increasing resources and attending training. Children would benefit from the introduction of procedures that allow her to evaluate her practice and identify areas for future improvement. She has created a warm, welcoming environment where children are happy and secure. She works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs and ensure that her practice is fully inclusive. This provides continuity of care and supports children in their learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents of all children about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the information given to parents about raising a concern or complaint  improve the organisation of the setting to include ongoing effective procedures to evaluate the provision and implement areas for improvement  improve the use of observations and assessments to identify learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 priorities for each child.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of her roles and responsibilities in this area. She has developed a clear policy that is in line with local guidance and is available to share with parents and carers. She has completed risk assessments for both the home and garden and checks daily to ensure that all areas remain safe for children to play and risks are minimised.

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the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has begun to develop a knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has attended some workshops to help her support children's learning in specific areas and has made links with other local childminders in order to share good practice. Documentation is appropriately organised and most required information is obtained from parents. The childminder knows the families of the children she is currently minding extremely well but needs to have procedures in place in order to be able to gather information with regards to who has parental responsibility for a child and who has legal contact. This is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Discussions with parents at each end of the child's day ensure that good relationships are established with parents and carers, providing continuity of care for the children. The childminder has begun to develop some policies and procedures which are available for parents so they are clear of the expectations of the childminder, themselves and their children. Information is displayed in the home with regards to parents contacting Ofsted in its role as regulator if they have a concern or complaint. However not all parents regularly visit the home and need to be provided with this information should they be concerned about the care received by their child.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and works with parents and carers to ensure the children's individual needs are met. She involves children in any decision making, for example when choosing new toys and resources, giving them a sense of belonging and feeling valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development because the childminder has an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides toys and resources that are appropriate to children's individual stages of learning and development and has steadily increased the range of equipment since registration. Each week she thinks of ideas for activities and then discusses them with the children to see whether they would like to do them. Children have lots of opportunities of free play and are encouraged to choose their own toys and resources. The childminder spends time with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children joining in and observing their play. This allows her to assess where children are with their development and provide activities that will support their next steps in learning. Introducing a system for observing and assessing children's

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and outcomes for children

development across the six areas of learning will allow the childminder to link children's next steps into future plans and will ensure that children can progress in all areas of their development and learning as they become older and more able.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy in the setting and loving, caring relationships with both the childminder and their peers are evident. They have clear and consistent boundaries so that they develop an understanding of acceptable behaviour and the childminder places a great emphasis on teamwork to encourage sharing and turn taking. Children are encouraged to help each other, for example, turning the taps on for each other as they wash their hands before snack time. Children are helped to understand right from wrong with gentle explanations about the consequences of their actions on others. As a result children are kind to each other, are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and are polite and considerate.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder, are receptive to her interactions and join in enthusiastically with activities. They enjoy role-play as they act out familiar scenarios such as cooking dinner and develop their creativity through arts and crafts. They use problem-solving skills as they are introduced to construction toys and help to put road tracks together by following a picture on the box. There are opportunities to socialise with other children and join in with group activities as they visit toddler groups. They begin to understand that print carries meaning as they share books and stories and develop emergent writing skills as they draw and colour.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and confident. They have well established routines that include meal and snack times and times to rest following a busy session at nursery or pre- school. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe within the home as they pick toys up from the floor and follow simple house rules such as not climbing on the furniture or running around inside. They are encouraged to be independent in their own personal needs and develop good hygiene habits as they wash their hands before and after mealtimes and after using the toilet or having nappy changes.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy eating is actively encouraged and the childminder provides healthy meals and snacks that include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children develop an interest in cooking as they take part in regular baking activities where they make cakes and biscuits that they can take home to share with their families. They have daily opportunities for physical play and fresh air as they walk to school each day and visit the local park. In the garden there is equipment to develop their climbing and balancing skills and they enjoy ball games and role-play in the playhouse.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an understanding of their local environment as they spend time outside looking at nature. The childminder recognizes the importance of providing children with opportunities to expand their understanding of diversity and when buying new resources and equipment takes into consideration the benefits of children having positive images of race, gender, culture and disability. At the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 groups that the childminder attends activities are organised to help children understand celebrations and special events from other cultures. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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