Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255721 Inspection date 10/02/2011 Inspector Becky Johnson

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Stourbridge. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom is used for childminding and children have access to a fully enclosed rear garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder co-minds, at times, with her husband who is also a registered childminder. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. When working with her co-minder the she is registered to care for a maximum of six children in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. Older children also attend before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. The co-minder takes and collects children to and from a local school. The family keeps several caged birds.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds appropriate early years qualifications.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works cohesively with her co-minder to ensure that children make extremely good progress in all areas of development and learning. Inclusive practice is crucial in all aspects of children's care, learning and play, ensuring their individual needs are prioritised and met. Excellent partnerships with parents and carers ensure children are happy, settled and achieve well within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has developed a rigorous, reflective monitoring process to ensure continued improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 involving children in the reflection process and developing systems to help them to identify and record their likes and dislikes.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a professional knowledge and understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. Extensive and detailed policies are in place and the childminder is fully aware of procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and all outings that children participate in. These are continually updated to ensure that children are kept safe at all times. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Excellent use is made of the space in the home to provide children with choices within their play. An excellent range of resources are available and children can safely choose from clearly labelled, easily accessible boxes. This helps to develop their independence. Toys and resources are regularly rotated to sustain children's

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the early years provision

interest and enjoyment. The childminder has an extremely sound knowledge in promoting equality and diversity. She gathers information to support children's settling in and the planning of activities; for example, information about their family and their likes and dislikes. Children participate in a wide range of exciting activities and play opportunities that promote their awareness of the wider world. Resources and images depicting diversity are in abundance and used well with the children to promote inclusion.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's extensive knowledge and experience. She is enthusiastic and committed to providing a very high standard of care. The childminder is extremely well qualified. She has recently obtained an Early Years Foundation degree and the Me2 accreditation for inclusive practice. She attends copious amounts of additional training to further her knowledge and expertise. She uses this additional knowledge to give her a more detailed insight into children's learning and development. Extensive policies and procedures support the childminder's excellent practice and provide relevant information for parents and others about the management of the setting. All required records are in place and regularly updated to reflect children's changing needs. Significant importance is placed on reflective practice and self-evaluation to ensure that standards remain extremely high. An effective formal self-evaluation process has been implemented

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the early years provision

to enable the childminder to continually move forward. However, the childminder does not yet fully involve children in the reflection process or use systems to help children to identify or record their likes and dislikes.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and excellent arrangements are in place to share information with them. This ensures that children receive a consistent level of care and learning between home and the minding environment. Parents are encouraged to be fully involved in their child's learning and development. They regularly talk to the childminder about the child's Learning Journey, discussing with her when next steps are reached and planned activities changed. Parents are encouraged to continue activities at home to further enhance children's learning experiences. The childminder is very aware of the importance of liaising with other settings the children attend to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development because they are highly motivated, secure and happy in the childminder's care. The warm and nurturing relationships created are reflected in the children's enthusiasm in what they do which significantly promotes them to be active learners. A wonderful, stimulating range of activities and quality resources fully engage the children and ensure that their interest is sustained. Activities are planned specifically around This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's interests and are pertinent to individual children's likes and needs. Clear and well informed observations and assessments enhance their learning and development. The childminder effectively identifies and monitors each child's next steps to indicate progress in all six areas of learning. Individual children's learning journeys wonderfully reflect the dedication the childminder applies to promoting

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and outcomes for children

children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children take a great interest in their learning journeys and take ownership of them as they excitedly look at the pictures in them and describe what they are doing and where they are.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy reading books together, sitting happily next to the childminder as she reads them a story. They use good communicative language as they chat happily to the childminder, their peers and the caged birds. They can link sounds to letters, holding up a letter they have cut from the play dough and shouting out words and names that begin with it, for example, i for ice and e for elephant. They join in enthusiastically with music sessions banging the drum, blowing the mouthorgan and dancing with the scarves. Children see an abundance of positive images of diversity in their learning environment. They play with resources, particularly role play items, such as, balti dishes and chopsticks and learn about other cultures as they celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year. Posters depicting positive images are displayed throughout the setting at children's height.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare needs are thoroughly met. They eat very healthily, sleep when they need to and learn proper habits of hygiene as part of their routine day, therefore laying firm foundations for the future. Children learn about sustainability as they help to plant and grow vegetables on the childminder's allotment and recycle boxes and tins. Children's behaviour is admirable as they show care and consideration for each other, taking turns and demonstrating very good manners, remembering to say please and thank you at relevant times. Children learn to keep themselves safe; for example, they practise road safety whilst out and about and fire evacuation safety in the setting to ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. They handle equipment safely because the childminder guides them carefully, gently reminding them to tidy away toys to prevent tripping or not to run indoors. Children develop a strong a sense of security and thrive within a

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and outcomes for children

loving and nurturing environment. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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