Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY409733 Inspection date 06/12/2010 Inspector Jane Laraman

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and one in Kingswinford. The whole of the ground floor, an upstairs bedroom and bathroom are 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. She is also able to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The family has two cats as 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. She currently has five children on roll. The childminder also offers care for children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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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 provides a very child-orientated and inclusive environment, where children are warmly welcomed, respected and valued as unique individuals. They thrive in the nurturing care of this dedicated childminder as she ensures that their individual needs are well met. She establishes their special interests and specific requirements in effective consultation with parents. She then skilfully supports the children as she plans an exciting range of activities, which are personalised according to their differing ages and abilities. This enables the children to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is reflective about her practice and she has started to identify areas for development, which demonstrates a firm commitment to continually improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the self-evaluation process, using this information to monitor the implementation of agreed priorities for development and evaluate their effectiveness in improving outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Effective steps are taken by the childminder to ensure that the children in her care are suitably safeguarded. She has a good knowledge of child protection issues and understands her role and responsibility to protect children from harm. She is able to identify possible signs and symptoms of potential abuse or neglect, has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessed relevant training and knows the procedures to follow in the event of a concern being raised. Her policy and the procedures to promote child protection are shared with parents and are in line with guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Carefully considered written risk assessments and checklists are in place and daily visual safety checks of the indoor and outdoor home environment, equipment and resources in use are carried out. Children benefit from the robust safety precautions that are in place and the good level of supervision that they

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the early years provision

receive. Before embarking on any outings, the childminder also ensures that she has assessed and minimised any potential risks to children's safety. Any visitors to the home during childminding hours are asked to sign her visitors' book and then routinely supervised to ensure that children are safe and protected at all times. The childminder is well organised and all of the required documentation to promote children's welfare, learning and development is in place. However, an omission in notifying Ofsted of a change in circumstances, in order to update her registration certificate, has resulted in the childminder caring for a child under the age of one. This is in breach of her current conditions of registration. This is an offence unless the childminder gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the childminder did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

Children's records are reviewed periodically to ensure their needs continue to be met and personal information is stored securely, reflecting the emphasis the childminder places on confidentiality. Comprehensive written policies, which are shared with parents, underpin all aspects of the childminder's work and are effective in practice. Through self-evaluation the childminder is beginning to successfully identify her strengths and areas for further research and development. Her plans for the future are well targeted to bring about improvements to her service provision and the outcomes for children, thus demonstrating her capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She is highly motivated to continually build on her sound knowledge of childcare and education through ongoing professional training. A strong commitment to equality and diversity is demonstrated by the childminder and she promotes equal opportunities through meeting children's

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the early years provision

individual needs very well. Children learn about a wide range of beliefs, cultures and festivals through planned activities and through using the childminder's excellent range of resources that reflect positive images of society and the wider world. This encourages children to develop an understanding of diversity and to respect similarities and differences in other people.

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the early years provision

Excellent working relationships with parents are fostered by the childminder, which enables both parties to collaborate in meeting children's individual care and learning requirements. During daily discussions with the childminder, parents share their knowledge of their children. She uses verbal and extensive written information effectively to ensure each child receives attention tailored to their unique needs. Furthermore, the childminder understands the importance of building links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children. Where appropriate, she liaises with other agencies and children's services to actively support parents. This awareness helps to promote continuity of care for the children and fosters a consistent approach to their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Excellent measures are in place to promote children's health and well-being as they are encouraged to eat nutritious meals and snacks, access regular drinks independently and adopt very good personal hygiene routines. The childminder takes account of children's dietary preferences and displays menus to outline details of her food provision, which includes meat, fish, vegetables, salads, different varieties of bread, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Older children are often involved in food preparation; for example, they delight in making pizzas and choosing various toppings for their lunchtime treat. A particular strength of the provision is daily access to the outdoor environment, whatever the weather, whereby children can pursue excellent opportunities to exercise their bodies and obtain invigorating fresh air. Children are actively encouraged to develop an awareness of how to stay safe. For example, they are taught how to use play

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and outcomes for children

equipment safely or negotiate the stairs, and they practise how to evacuate the home sensibly should an emergency arise.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, settled and confident in the childminder's home as she has created an attractive, stimulating learning environment. They interact very well with her as she is friendly, kind and loving. She spontaneously offers an abundance of cuddles to young children and they can feel very safe and secure in her care. The childminder has an in-depth knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it very effectively through provision of wonderful indoor and outdoor play opportunities that incorporate all six areas of learning. Resources are excellent and stored at a low level in the designated playroom and throughout the home so that children can exercise personal choice and decision- making throughout the day. Children's starting points are identified and their ability, choices and involvement in different activities is sensitively and astutely observed by the childminder. This information is recorded, assessed and linked to

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and outcomes for children

the expectations of the early learning goals to inform the activity planning for the children's next steps in their learning. Consequently children are making good and sometimes very good progress as they learn and develop effective skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Spontaneous and everyday activities are used well to help children become confident communicators and they begin to develop basic mathematical vocabulary, counting and problem-solving skills. Their thought processes are enhanced through using shape sorters or by piecing together simple puzzles. Children acquire computing skills through using various programmable toys. Their curiosity is captivated as they operate these toys by twisting knobs or pressing buttons to find out how things work. Properties and textures of natural, manufactured and creative art materials are keenly explored by all children. Babies particularly love the tactile experiences of exploring paint, sand and glue with their tiny hands and fingers as they create unique works of art. When playing in their large exploratory trays with long strings of cooked spaghetti, they giggle with excitement as they become entangled within edible structures. Creativity is

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and outcomes for children

fostered further through musical activities, as music often plays quietly in the background and children learn rhymes, play instruments or dance to lively tunes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from their favourite CDs. Individual creative work is valued and often displayed, which promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children enjoy choosing books. They snuggle up and listen to stories read by the childminder, for example 'Global babies' or they join in using 'lift and flap' books.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder places emphasis on children's social skills, which are nurtured to help them enjoy good, friendly relationships. Their social attributes are further developed through attending local groups, where they meet and play with other children. Caring and sharing is well promoted, with good behaviour encouraged through praise and age-related guidance about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Consequently, children begin to understand right from wrong. As they learn to cooperate and play together harmoniously, children are developing good personal qualities, such as helpfulness and kindness, which will help to support their future economic well-being. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 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 1 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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