Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 204896 Inspection date 16/12/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1988. She lives in Redditch with her husband and four children aged 14, 16, 20 and 22 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder's three older children work alongside her as her assistants. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding purposes. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden that is available for outdoor play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step and the garden can be accessed around the side of the property.

p.4

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 four may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may care for a total of six children in the early years age range. She is currently minding nine children in this age group. She also offers care to older children who attend local schools.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three- and four-year-olds.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are provided with high quality care and are flourishing within a fully inclusive and welcoming environment. Children’s individual needs are extremely well met because the childminder is aware of their interests and abilities and ensures that important information is regularly exchanged with their parents. She is highly committed to working in partnership with other providers, organisations and services to promote the learning and well-being of all the children attending. The childminder shows a very strong capacity for continuous improvement and good systems are in place for self-evaluation.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 develop self-evaluation methods to help identify the strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children  embed systems used for recording observations and assessing children's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded. Safety is prioritised and comprehensive systems are in place to identify and minimise potential risks. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and shares her safeguarding policy and procedures with parents and her family. Consequently, they are very clear with regards to her role and responsibilities in protecting children. All adults in her home are suitably vetted and children are not left unsupervised in the care of adults who have not been suitably checked.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates, through her enthusiasm and professionalism, that each child is valued and special. She has exceptionally high aspirations for quality and uses continual reflective practice to help focus on any areas for improvement and achieve her aims. She has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form as an additional tool to focus her thoughts and findings and has some systems in place for gathering the views of others. However, she recognises that children's welfare and learning can be enhanced further through the development of her self- evaluation methods. Many improvements have been made since the childminder’s last inspection and she is continually looking to enrich the service that she provides. For example, the childminder has recently applied for and received a 'Capital Improvement Grant' that has enabled her to improve the poor drainage in her back garden, thus meaning children are able to enjoy greater access to the

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is constantly reviewing her training needs and desires in order to improve outcomes for children. She cares for children with a range of needs and requirements and is proactive in seeking and obtaining relevant knowledge, advice and support. She has attended a wealth of training courses and successfully uses this learning to enhance her already excellent practice. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and receives monitoring visits from the network co-ordinator. She regularly meets with other childcare professionals to discuss and share good practice and actively supports other childminders in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and improving their practice.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's learning and play opportunities are maximised because space throughout the childminder’s home is thoughtfully utilised and they enjoy easy access to an extensive range of good-quality and stimulating resources. Children are settled and secure because strong partnerships have been established between the childminder and parents. Routine communication with parents about home routines and family practices means that a common and consistent approach is adopted. Parents are provided with high quality information about the provision and the childminder’s portfolio includes an extensive range of regularly reviewed and clearly written policies and procedures. Photographs, emails, examples of children's work and shared observations keep parents informed and help to form a picture of each child's progress. Links have been forged with other settings that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

the early years provision

some children attend and these help to ensure coherence and consistency of care for these children.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children welfare is promoted extremely well and they are making exceptional progress in all areas of learning. They are very happy and content and benefit from the welcoming and child-friendly environment that helps them to feel at home and secure. Routines are familiar and children know what is likely to happen next throughout the day. They are able to independently access a wealth of resources and know where things belong. Their independence is actively encouraged and children are urged to try and do things for themselves. Effort and achievement is promptly recognised and readily acknowledged. Children are developing a strong respect for themselves and others. They are very confident and demonstrate excellent levels of self-esteem. Through everyday experiences and thoughtfully planned activities children are learning about the wider community. Resources that portray positive images of diversity are plentiful and

p.6

and outcomes for children

these are fully integrated into the selection available to children. The childminder takes great care to ensure that all children are included in activities and adapts experiences as necessary to meet the individual needs and interests of the children attending. Children display very good behaviour, courtesy and consideration for others and the childminder provides them with a very positive role model.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are having lots of fun and are very keen to learn and participate in activities. The childminder skilfully motivates them through lots of praise and positive body language. She is thoroughly interested in what children say and do and readily gets down to their level to interact with them, offer support and join in their play. The childminder knows the children in her care really well and knows how to make learning fun and relevant. She observes children during play and systematically uses what she knows and has seen to plan their next steps and inform progress records. However, she has recently changed the system that she uses for recording observations and assessing children’s progress and acknowledges that this requires embedding to ensure that it is fully effective.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children’s good health is actively promoted as they enjoy regular access to the outdoors, take part in lots of physical exercise and enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks. All areas of the childminder’s home are very clean and clear hygiene procedures help to protect children from the risk of germs. Children’s safety is afforded a very high priority. The childminder adopts a range of strategies to help children take responsibility for their own safety and raise their awareness of potential risks. For example, she encourages children to talk about their feelings and things that they do and do not like and she teaches them about road safety and what to do in the event of a fire. Children are active and inquisitive learners because the childminder asks open-ended questions to extend their thinking and she encourages them to come up with solutions to problems. Everyday experiences are skilfully used to encourage learning, for example, children are

p.6

and outcomes for children

asked to count how many children there are in the car and then calculate how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 many will be left when some get out. Also, children’s attention is drawn to numbers and letters that they see whilst out and about in the local neighbourhood. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9