Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416510 Inspection date 19/01/2011 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 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 and occasionally works alongside an assistant. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Walsall Wood, West Midlands. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the property is via a gravel driveway and one step up into the hall.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years of age at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group, three of whom attend on a part-time basis. She 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 is a qualified teacher. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 is highly effective in promoting successful outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The premises are welcoming to both parents and children and resources are very well organised to enable inclusion in all activities. Consequently, children thrive in a stimulating environment which is conducive to learning. Effective partnerships with parents and other providers ensure that children get the support they need. All policies and procedures are inclusive and implemented successfully to promote children's welfare. Systems to evaluate practice are effective in improving standards and making further progress in most areas to improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote further the good health of children, with particular regard to hygiene practice in respect of washing hands before eating  make better use of the existing risk assessment process to minimise hazards to children, with particular reference to fire exits. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility in relation to child protection issues. Comprehensive policies and procedures ensure that parents understand the duty of the childminder to protect children. Effective vetting procedures ensure the suitability of all adults having regular contact with children within the provision. 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 fire exits are kept clear in order to fully secure children. They learn to take care of themselves through the childminder's guidance on road safety and any other possible hazards in their everyday lives.

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the early years provision

Children's care is supported well, as the childminder has implemented a thorough system to evaluate her practice in order to check for continuous improvement and to inform future plans. She works hard to research material on good practice and constantly looks at ways to progress. She establishes good partnerships with parents to promote children's learning and development. Regular questionnaires, daily notebooks and a detailed prospectus of the service maintains a two-way flow of information between parents and the childminder. She liaises with other professionals and children's pre-school settings to ensure continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is well promoted. Children are valued as unique individuals, and support is offered according to their needs. They are encouraged to understand and respect the values and differences of others, as they celebrate festivals all through the year, including the Chinese New Year, Diwali and Easter. A wide selection of resources is available depicting positive images of diversity. Children independently access well-organised equipment in a clean, bright and colourful environment. Premises are decorated with children's artwork, and sufficient information is displayed for parents. Consequently, the setting is welcoming for all users.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in a highly creditable range of activities, which are carefully planned to help them progress in all areas of development. The quality of planning ensures that each child is offered an enjoyable and challenging experience towards the early learning goals. The systems for observation and assessment are rigorous. As a result, the next steps in learning are clearly identified and used to plan activities that are tailored to the needs and abilities of individuals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder joins in with children's play and enjoys being involved. Hence children are enthusiastic and eager to express their skills in group games. For example, they find dinosaurs while matching sizes and colours. Children say some numbers while counting toys and everyday objects in play. They respond with delight to the activities they take part in, including mixing ingredients for fairy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cakes and playing with shaving foam, which they dab onto childminder's nose.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language and social skills are enthusiastically promoted through general conversation and frequent questions asked of them by the childminder, which stimulates their vocabulary. Opportunities for mark making, singing, access to a wide selection of books and trips to the local library enhance children's communication skills. Consequently, they are confident and enthusiastically use short sentences to convey their meaning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given frequent opportunities to explore, investigate and relate to others during their daily learning. This encourages them to have rewarding relationships with others. They frequently visit toddler groups, local parks and other local amenities, which stimulates their interest in the outside world. Excellent use is made of outings; the childminder enthusiastically drawing children's attention to the changing seasons as they walk to and from school. Children are supported in learning how to keep themselves fit. They enjoy an excellent range of both indoor and outdoor physical activities, including swimming and football, that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Their skills in movement and coordination are very well promoted as they enjoy a variety of opportunities to use musical instruments, shape sorters and construction equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy nourishing options such as a variety of freshly cooked, healthy food, including fresh fruits, offered to children at snack and meal times. Drinks are readily accessible for all children throughout the session. Although children are protected from the spread of infection, because there is a procedure in place to exclude any with infectious illnesses, hygiene practice in respect of washing hands before eating is not consistently maintained.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and happy in their environment. They behave well, as the childminder ensures they are engaged in meaningful activities which promote their progress. She ensures that she provides children with valuable support while they play, which encourages their positive behaviour. They move freely around the house and suggest anything they would like to do, such as requesting a picnic so that they can enjoy role play with their peers and baby dolls. 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 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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