Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349011 Inspection date 21/02/2011 Inspector Carol 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged 14 and 11 in a residential area of Redditch. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a low step to the front of the premises. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden that is used for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. Care is also offered to older children that attend before and after school and in the school holidays. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

The family has two dogs, three cats and four guinea pigs. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's individuality is recognised and valued and they are settled and at ease in the childminder's care. They participate in a variety of safe and stimulating activities that help them to learn through play and make progress. The childminder enjoys good relationships with parents and others and regularly exchanges information with them to ensure continuity and consistency of care. Children's welfare is effectively promoted and all required documentation is appropriately maintained. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and record her observations and assessments of children, however, these systems are not yet fully effective in improving outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods for recording observations and improve strategies that help pull together information gained through observations to identify aspects of children's learning and development and plan for their next steps  develop methods used for reflective practice and use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and affords safety a high priority. A clearly written safeguarding policy supports her practice and a combination of thoughtful consideration, daily checks and written risk assessments ensure that potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or significant events and all adults in the household have been suitably vetted.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder has formed good relationships with them and their parents. She exchanges appropriate information about individual children's welfare and development and regularly sends home examples of children's artwork and things they have made. None of the children currently in the childminder's care attend other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage but the childminder is aware of the value of working in partnership with other professionals to promote positive outcomes for children. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and help to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected and the childminder's fully inclusive policies and procedures work well in practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and is committed to improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder applied for and received a grant which facilitated major improvements to the outside area and funded several pieces of equipment including a computer, printer and a variety of outdoor toys. A recommendation raised at her last inspection in relation to recording any existing injuries to children has been fully addressed. The childminder has attended a variety of relevant training and regularly networks with other childcare professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and is constantly assessing what she provides and how it could be improved. She has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form but systems for reflective practice are still in their infancy and do not effectively identify strengths and priorities for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well. This is because the childminder knows the children in her care and works alongside their parents to provide them with an array of experiences that help to meet their individual needs and excite and interest them. She regularly observes children and has begun to record and assess some of what she sees. She talks to parents and children to gain their views and uses what she has seen and heard to help inform her daily planning. However, current methods for planning, observation and assessment are not yet fully established and parents are not effectively invited to contribute to this process. Consequently, children may not always be fully challenged and/or supported to reach their full potential. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's health is effectively assured because children follow good hygiene procedures and enjoy lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They regularly play

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and outcomes for children

outside in the childminder's back garden and visit parks and soft play facilities. These experiences help to develop children's physical skills, for example, climbing, balance and coordination and maintain their all-round health. Healthy eating is encouraged at meal times and snacks include plenty of fresh fruit. Children enjoy easy access to a wide variety of good quality toys and equipment and relish their time with the childminder. The many skills children need in future life are being developed well. Through meaningful everyday experiences and general play children are making good progress in all areas of learning. They go on lots of outings and during these they learn to count and recognise letters, numbers and colours. They notice nature, the changing seasons and are learning to socialise and communicate with other adults and children. Their independence skills are fostered as they learn to put on shoes and coats and the childminder encourages them to

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe because they are at ease and settled in the setting. They are happy to play either independently or with others and the childminder is always close at hand to offer help or support as necessary. Older children help support the younger ones and provide them with good role models to follow. Children display good behaviour and manners and this is actively encouraged by the childminder through lots of praise and encouragement. She ensures that boundaries and house rules are known and is calm and consistent in her approach to behaviour management. Children learn about themselves and the wider community through general discussion, exploring various religious and cultural festivals and enjoying easy access to a range of resources that show positive images of diversity. 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 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: 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

 provide parents with information about the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents) 28/02/2011

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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

 provide parents with information about the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents) 28/02/2011

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