Childminder in WalsallOfsted inspection, 22 Apr 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255295 Inspection date 22/04/2010 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 1995 and works alongside an assistant. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a property in Chuckery, Walsall. The location is convenient for parks, schools and public transport. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding purposes. The family’s pets include a dog and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. This provision is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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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

Owing to the childminder's appropriate interaction with children they settle well and make generally steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a limited understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage but ensures the setting is inclusive to all children. She has a limited understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. However, she promotes consistency of care through the development of sound relationships with parents and carers. She is developing links with other settings that are involved in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to reflect on practice issues to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 plan and organise systems to provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals and use observational assessments to identify individual learning priorities (Organisation). 07/05/2010

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further?

 implement an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 07/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for self-evaluation and continually look for ways to improve the quality of care, learning and development for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All adults in the household have Criminal Records Bureau disclosures, ensuring they are suitable to have regular contact with children. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of safeguarding issues but a limited understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and guidelines. This has the potential to compromise children’s safety. Children are supervised appropriately and a risk assessment has been carried out to identify any potential hazards. They learn about safety as they practise emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and obtains a satisfactory range of written parental permissions. These measures help to promote children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are suitably promoted. The childminder gathers information on children's individual routine needs, such as their sleep and rest arrangements and any likes and dislikes, ensuring that all children are included and supported. Toys and games are easily accessible and support children’s all round development. For example, she has books and small world resources that depict other peoples similarities and differences and a range of play food from around the world. Resources are sufficiently well deployed to ensure the needs of all children are met. The childminder takes time to get to know new children and offers an appropriate settling-in procedure to parents. This helps children to feel comfortable and welcome in her home.

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the early years provision

The self-evaluation system does not identify improvements and how to act on these. However, the childminder is open to feedback, which demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to continual improvement.

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the early years provision

She has developed sound relationships with parents and carers to ensure continuity of care. Babies' and young children's individual needs are discussed with parents, such as eating and sleep patterns, and the childminder endeavours to follow home routines as closely as possible. Most policies, procedures and permissions in place help to keep children safe. For example, the childminder has obtained information as to whom has legal contact and parental responsibility for children in her care. Parents are aware of how to make a complaint should they be unhappy with any aspect of the service provided. This helps with the smooth running of the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder is developing some useful links with other settings and is in the process of identifying other providers so that continuity of care and learning is ongoing.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making generally steady progress in their learning because the childminder recognises that play underpins all of the six areas of development for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 young children. She has experience of working with a broad age range and likes to do things "off the cuff" therefore much of the children's learning is incidental. Younger children have ample opportunities to count and recognise shapes and colours. Older children enjoy a range of activities including walking, baking cakes and growing potatoes. The childminder ensures she sits with children if they are watching television "as they always have lots of questions". These activities support children's learning appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder acknowledges that she is still developing confidence in observing children's learning, and is sometimes unsure how often she should undertake written observations and how to link them to the early learning goals. Assessment sheets and the occasional photograph taken of children during play demonstrates to parents what sort of activity their child take parts in during their time with the childminder. However, the assessment system is not fully developed to ensure information is analysed so that the child's next stage of learning is planned. The childminder shares information about children's routines but does not always gather information about what children already know and can do when they first attend. This impacts on children's achievements and the progress they make.

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and outcomes for children

There is a broad range of toys with sufficient quantity to ensure children's inclusion in all play activities. Children enjoy imaginative play alongside the childminder, who also joins in, which supports their learning. For example, they enjoy putting plastic fruit into a shopping basket and exchanging money from the cash till for their purchases. Younger children actively respond to requests the childminder makes. They make good attempts to say words and the childminder repeats words again and again for them to listen to and to practise. This means children develop their communication skills satisfactorily.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of right and wrong as the childminder uses suitable methods to manage their behaviour. They are encouraged to eat a healthy snack and are offered drinks at regular intervals. The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park which means that they are appropriately supported to learn about healthy lifestyles. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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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 compulsory 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 07/05/2010

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 07/05/2010

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