Childminder in WalsallOfsted inspection, 27 May 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY342396 Inspection date 27/05/2010 Inspector Jasvinder Kaur

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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 with her partner and two children aged 17 and five years in Leamore, Walsall. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a secure rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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, on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children but uses her car to transport those children attending other schools in the area. She attends the local carer and toddler and childminding groups regularly. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

Children are treated as individuals, since the childminder has developed a good knowledge of their specific needs through close relationships with the children themselves and their parents. The setting is well organised to enable children to participate in activities. This means that they make good progress, given their different ages, abilities and starting points. All policies and procedures are inclusive and implemented successfully to promote children's welfare. Regular self- evaluation by the childminder ensures that most priorities for future progress are identified and acted on to improve outcomes.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve observation and assessment records of children and use the information gathered to plan next steps in learning  obtain prior written consent from parents in relation to the administration for health reasons of non-prescription medication  make better use of the existing risk assessment process to minimise hazards to children, with particular reference to unsafe objects in the kitchen. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her role in safeguarding children. All adults within the provision have undergone effective vetting procedures. The childminder has attended the relevant training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice should she have concerns about a child. A risk assessment of the premises and of prospective outings and daily safety checks are carried out in most areas to eliminate hazards. However, not all items in the kitchen such as the knives are currently inaccessible to children in order to fully secure their safety. There is a good procedure to protect children from the spread of infection, as arrangements are in place to exclude those with infectious illnesses. Children become skilled at keeping themselves safe through the childminder’s guidance on road safety, stranger danger and any other possible hazards in their everyday lives. They take

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the early years provision

part in role play to learn about people who help us such as police officers, fire officers, nurses and doctors.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes good partnerships with parents to promote children’s learning and development through daily dairies and verbal feedback. She seeks parents’ and children’s views to evaluate and improve the service. The childminder liaises with children’s pre-school settings to ensure continuity of learning. Regularly undertaking various relevant courses is a key strength of the childminder. She is currently working towards a level 3 qualification in Early Years to promote good quality care and education to all children. All policies and procedures are under continual review. The complaints procedure and most children’s records are well maintained. However, there are some weaknesses concerning written parental consent which impact on children’s health and welfare issues. Nevertheless, all documentation is readily available for inspection and for parents.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from a welcoming and friendly environment, as the childminder makes good use of the space available. Toys and resources are deployed well to provide free choice, consequently encouraging children to be independent and to develop a positive disposition to learn. Children learn to value diversity through everyday experiences, as they have access to a range of play materials, play opportunities and activities that reflect disability and diversity and acknowledge cultural differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with good opportunities to make progress in their learning and development. The childminder continues to update and extend her skills with support from the local authority. She has set up a system to maintain children's individual profiles, though her observations and assessments of their play are not sufficiently used to help her plan activities towards next steps in learning. Nevertheless, good organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use the resources imaginatively and follow their natural curiosity as learners. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children engage adults and peers in conversation, talking about their personal experiences throughout the session. A good selection of books is readily accessible to children. Their communication skills are fostered through daily story and singing sessions, making marks, regular visits to the library and encouragement from the

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and outcomes for children

childminder to pronounce and read simple words and their own names. Children develop understanding of numbers and shapes through routines and play, including matching and sorting shapes and colours, singing number rhymes and counting everyday objects. They expand their simple calculation skills and learn about differences in size and pattern, categorising toys according to size and colour. Children are encouraged to solve problems during play, cooking activities and lunch times. For instance, they cut jelly to a size which fits in a spoon.

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and outcomes for children

A variety of themed activities is planned to supplement children’s learning and knowledge of the environment, including trips to the park and farms and walks in the area. Children show interest in living things, as they observe and learn about different people, creatures, plants and objects in their natural surroundings. They acquire basic skills in handling tools while using a good range of programmable toys to develop their understanding of how technology can help them in their everyday lives. A wide range of colouring materials and a selection of resources are supplied to help children explore and develop their creative skills, including decorating biscuits and Easter baskets and making cards for their family members. A range of textures and sensory experiences, including hand printing, water and sand play, supports children’s skills. A good selection of musical instruments and listening to a variety of music encourages children’s talents.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore their surroundings and are provided with challenge and support to encourage them to develop their physical abilities. They regularly play at their local park, and the resources in the pre-school setting and back garden provide sufficient challenge for a varied age-group of children. They adopt good personal hygiene routines, including washing hands before eating and after messy play and using the toilet. They enjoy freshly cooked meals and fresh fruits and yogurt at snack times. Drinking water is available and accessible throughout the session.

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and outcomes for children

The children are well behaved, as the childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour which takes into account children’s levels of understanding and maturity. They appear to be settled, the childminder being well aware of their individual needs. Children learn social skills and enjoy being with adults and peers at the childminder’s house and at the pre-school settings, which they attend regularly. 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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