Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357547 Inspection date 04/05/2011 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 their three children aged six, 10 and 19 years old in Hagley, near Stourbridge, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, except for the dining area, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. The family has two rabbits.

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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. There are currently two children on role in the Early Years Foundation Stage who both attend part-time. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as a second language. The childminder belongs to a local childminder support group 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's experience, dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to providing high quality care. They are extremely happy and settled and take part in an excellent range of activities that enable them to make excellent progress and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. She is very sensitive to individual needs and provides a high level of individual support helping them to gain confidence and independence. The childminder is proactive in developing very close partnerships with parents and carers and has established links with other local settings and professionals. This ensures that children receive highly effective continuity of care and learning. The childminder continuously assesses her practice striving at all times to develop and improve the opportunities available to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving further the recording of information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child. 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 extremely well safeguarded, with high quality, robust policies and procedures that are shared with parents. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children's welfare and has attended training to ensure that she has up-to-date information that is in-line with local guidance. The childminder has an excellent understanding of potential risks to children and through thorough risk assessments and ongoing safety checks ensures that the outdoor and indoor areas remain safe and risks to children are minimised. She is particularly vigilant when on outings ensuring she is very well prepared and organised making children's welfare and safety a priority.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse with many years experience. Although, she has embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage, her wealth of experience has seen her delivering many of the requirements before its introduction, particularly in relation to the learning and development requirements. She continuously evaluates both her service and the opportunities for the children, looking for new ideas and opportunities to keep children engaged and stimulated. She demonstrates a great enthusiasm for providing a wide range of activities that will interest and challenge children and is immensely proud of their achievements. She is constantly expanding the range of equipment and resources available to the children taking into consideration their ages, abilities and interests.

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the early years provision

A strong emphasis is placed on developing close working relationships with parents and carers. As well as verbal communication, daily diaries are used to keep parents informed about children's welfare, activities they have enjoyed and any achievements. Parents were informed about the forthcoming inspection and invited to comment. They were very positive about the childminder and felt that she worked very effectively in partnership with them to support children's care, learning and development. They liked the extensive range of activities on offer and the flexibility and support that the childminder offered when meeting individual needs, such as, managing behaviour and toilet training. The childminder makes excellent use of local resources and facilities. She visits several local activity groups and the local library regularly. She has developed close working relationships with other local early years settings that children in her care may attend ensuring that

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the early years provision

information is readily exchanged to enable children to receive continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a wonderful range of exciting learning opportunities that allow children to be creative, investigate and explore. They thoroughly enjoy painting, craft activities and experiment with sand and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 water. The childminder sets up both the indoor and outdoor areas to ensure that children have activities linked to each area of learning. They can use their imaginations as they play with small world toys and puppets, use problem solving skills to complete puzzles and build with construction toys and have a range of bright colourful books that they can look at independently or share a story with the childminder. Outside they can practise early mark making skills with large chalks,

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and outcomes for children

develop balance and coordination as they move through tunnels and over play equipment and talk about the seaside as they play with a selection of shells in the sand. They are free to choose their own activities and the childminder joins in their play enthusiastically praising and encouraging their ideas and achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy in the setting and loving, caring relationships with both the childminder and their peers are evident. The childminder maintains low numbers of children and provides them with a great deal of individual attention. She is skilled at sensitively observing children and assessing their level of development. She then uses these in her planning to provide activities that allow them to develop their skills, gain confidence and increase their independence. Children who are new to the setting are well supported as they become secure in their surroundings and develop skills of sharing and cooperative play. They are introduced to new activities, such as, painting and messy play gradually and with lots of encouragement so that they grow in confidence and are soon joining in with great enthusiasm.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very healthy and safe. They learn about healthy eating as they are provided with fresh fruit for snacks. Parents provide meals allowing them to cater for their individual children's likes and dislikes. Children enjoy cooking activities, learning about changes to food as they are mixed together or cooked and the importance of a balanced diet. They enjoy daily fresh air and exercise in the garden and on outings to local parks. Physical skills are developed as they use climbing equipment and visit local soft play centres. Children are taught from a young age to keep themselves safe as they follow clear and consistent boundaries that are there to keep them and others safe. They are respectful of toys and furniture and know to be kind and considerate to each other. They are extremely well behaved and have good manners.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very culturally aware and is keen for children to learn about other ways of life and develop respect for other's beliefs. She has a range of equipment including books and dressing up clothes that show positive images of race, gender and disability and uses the library to expand these further. The childminder knows individual children very well and is sensitive to their individual welfare needs attending to them promptly to avoid them becoming overtired or fractious. The childminder is passionate about ensuring that children have a fun exciting time with her experiencing a range of activities and ensuring that their happiness is her prime consideration. 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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