Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY342385 Inspection date 18/01/2010 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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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 was registered in 2006. She lives in Bromsgrove with her husband, who is her assistant, and their three children aged two months and eight and nine years. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 13 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school and attends several toddler activities on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is working towards a Level 3 early years qualification

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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 positively recognises each child as an individual and has effective systems to ensure she understands and meets each child's welfare, learning and development needs. As a result each child makes good progress in all aspects of their learning and development, their care, safety and well-being are promoted, and they are fully safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Through monitoring and evaluation she has a realistic appraisal of her strengths and of areas for improvement. These, including previous inspection recommendations, are promptly addressed and developments are sustained because the childminder reflects children's and parents' views and attends training to ensure she has the relevant knowledge and skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the links between assessment and planning to more clearly show each child's stage of development and individual learning priorities and how these are reflected in planning  improve risk assessments of the premises and outings to more clearly identify potential risks and how these are minimised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are fully safeguarded because the childminder understands her role to protect them from harm and to take prompt appropriate action if she has concerns about a child. She has completed safeguarding training and developed written policies about safeguarding which reflect current requirements and local guidance. She ensures parents are aware of her safeguarding role and of all her policies relating to children's care and welfare, including how she monitors and records details of any child' existing injuries. Children's welfare is further protected as the childminder makes sure parents are aware of how her and her husband's suitability is assessed and so they know how she is registered and operates. Before a child starts the childminder obtains all required information about them and their families so she knows, for example, who has parental responsibility for each child and who has legal contact with them. She has clear agreements relating to each

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the early years provision

Children benefit as sessions are rewarding and smoothly run, and routines are well-managed. The childminder gives children individual support and provides inviting toys and equipment. Children and families consistently access high quality childminding because the childminder consistently drives improvement. She effectively evaluates how well she meets the needs of the families who attend and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and confidently addresses areas for development. For example, attending various local toddler activities has enhanced children's social skills. The introduction of a daily diary has facilitated the exchange of information between the childminder and parents, and her ongoing review and development of her written policies provides everyone with additional guidance on how she operates.

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the early years provision

Children thrive and feel a sense of belonging as the childminder positively promotes equality and diversity, helping them to feel valued as individuals. She praises their efforts and confidently adapts her approaches, resources and activities to cater for babies' and children's differing interests, learning styles and abilities. The childminder has good relationships with other agencies and providers working with children, and from the outset successfully engages with parents. They and their children benefit from good settling in arrangements so they soon get to know the childminder and her procedures. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child's care and learning, and are reassured by the consistent feedback the receive about their child's activities and routines, and by the childminder's suggestions for supporting their child's learning at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning and make good progress. They are eager to learn as the childminder creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. She fosters children's independence and choices well and provides interesting activities and resources which promote their involvement and sustained play. The childminder has a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of children's learning and development a result of her observations and interactions with them. Parents are well informed about their child's day and have opportunities to contribute their views about their child's skills as the childminder completes a daily diary record of each child's routines, activities and achievements. However, although there is some reference to children's abilities in relation to the areas of learning, it is not always clear what stage they have reached and what their learning priorities are, to enable the childminder to discuss

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and outcomes for children

each child's next steps with their parents and to plan more accurately for them. In other respects topics and activities are varied and rewarding. The childminder is confident to follow up children's individual interests and to adapt her approaches and resources to cater for these and their differing abilities. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are effectively helped to make steady progress at their pace as the childminder is confident to ensure they have the right levels of support and access to appropriate resources and equipment,

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good skills for the future. They are purposeful and soon settle to activities. Within sessions and topics there is a good balance of child-led and adult- directed activities, with many opportunities for children to express their ideas, for example, in their choice of toys and games and through their imaginative and creative play. Their independence is fostered during snack and meal times and personal care and hygiene routines. They are encouraged to look after their possessions and competently help to tidy up toys and games. Children get on well, playing harmoniously and showing respect for each other's differing abilities and backgrounds. Through discussions and play they learn to appreciate the life and customs of others. Children become articulate speakers and they enjoy and listen attentively to well-told stories. Children think critically, using numbers for counting and problem solving, and increasingly they accurately compare and match items

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and outcomes for children

according to colour, shape and size. Children are interested in the natural world and they learn about caring for the environment, for example, through planting and tending seeds and recycling. Children are creative and imaginative, engaging in sustained role play, and expressing their ideas through their paintings, drawings and craft work.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well. Their care, health, dietary and cultural needs are understood and met by the childminder. She maintains an up-to-date first aid qualification and ensures children have prompt appropriate treatment if they have an accident, become unwell or need medication. Clear records are kept of accidents and medication and parents are kept informed. Children develop a sound awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They understand when and why it is important to wash their hands properly and to put their hands in front of their mouths when they cough. They make healthy choices about what to eat and drink, take part in cooking activities and enjoy regular walks and physical exercise. Children are kept safe as the premises are secure and free from hazards. They are well supervised and the childminder carries out and records regular safety checks. However, her risk assessments lack detail about the types of hazards and her

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and outcomes for children

actual control measures to minimise these risks. It is clear children feel emotionally secure. They have positive relationships with the caring childminder and her husband, who is her assistant, and are confident to ask for their help or to confide in them. Children behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including learning about aspects of road safety. Regular practise of fire evacuations help them to understand the procedures to follow in an emergency. 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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