Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255699 Inspection date 26/04/2011 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband in Halesowen, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. One room and the bathroom are used on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years 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 the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children 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 attends a local toddler and carer group on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is eligible to receive funding for early education for three and four-year-olds. There are currently two children on roll who receive funding for early education.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder receives support from the local authority. She has a level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 has a wealth of childcare experience and ensures a thoroughly comprehensive service to families. Children thrive in the nurturing and extremely warm environment, where their health, safety and welfare are promoted successfully and they are fully included. Parents' contribution is greatly valued and they are encouraged to be part of their child's learning. Excellent partnerships with other providers and settings that children attend ensure consistent and significant progress in their learning and development. The childminder is constantly reviewing every aspect of her provision, demonstrating an outstanding ability to make continuous improvements that benefit 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?

 ensure the smoke detector on the landing is always in working order  promote further the good health of children, with particular regard to hygiene practice in respect of washing hands before eating. 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 very effectively safeguarded at the setting because the childminder places a high priority on child protection. Through training, she regularly updates her knowledge to have a current understanding of legislation. Extremely high regard is given to ensuring children's safety. The childminder conducts and updates risk assessments inside and outside the home and in the vast majority of cases she takes effective steps to remove hazards so children are fully protected. However, the smoke detector on the landing is not always kept in working order. Nevertheless, children develop an extremely good understanding of how to be safe. For example, on outings children wear hi-visibility jackets and they have attended a road safety session with fire fighters and police officers. All records and documentation are in meticulous order and reflect excellent organisation.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent working relationships with parents and others to ensure inclusive and continuous care for children. A wealth of information is available to parents and they are involved in assessments of their children's progress. Planning is shared with them, which keeps them well informed of activities and events. Individual files contain extensive photographic evidence of children engaged in an excellent range of activities. Comprehensive details of children's individual progress towards the early learning goals are also included. The childminder seeks parents' views on her provision and excellent feedback is available from them. She has clear systems to work in depth with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for continuity of care and sharing of relevant information to benefit the children. These approaches enable her to respond swiftly to any identified learning and development needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder's practice is highly inclusive because of her in-depth knowledge and clear understanding of each child's background and needs. Her exemplary knowledge, resources and activities effectively help children to understand the society in which they live. They are encouraged to take part in events in the community, for example, sponsored walks to raise money for charities. The childminder is enthusiastic and has ambitions to raise further the standards of care and learning for all the children in attendance. She has a clear vision of developments she wishes to make and has the confidence and capability to make continuous improvement. Evaluation takes full account of parents' and children's views in identifying her many strengths. The childminder continues to attend numerous training courses to update and further develop her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children have lots of fun and thoroughly enjoy themselves as they explore and investigate. They make outstanding progress in relation to their starting points and capabilities as shared by their parents. The childminder plans a wide range of activities which are based on children's individual interests and this means that they are fully engaged in their learning. For example, they grow tomatoes in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 garden and as an experiment, wrap them in newspaper and place them in a box with apples to ripen. The childminder makes high quality and rigorous observations and assessments of children's progress and uses these very effectively to inform planning of activities that meet children's individual stages of development and to plan their next steps in learning. Young children enjoy their learning as the childminder interacts with and teaches them most effectively. She continually

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and outcomes for children

responds to their early communications, talking about what they and she are doing. She supports and challenges them continuously by asking, for example, how many teddy bears there are in a row or how many steps there are. Children practice their writing skills as they use chalks, paint, pencils and crayons and write letters in sand.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about different shapes, sizes, quantities and colours as they use a wide variety of resources and take part in cooking activities to make biscuits, cakes, fruit-smoothies and Chinese foods. This makes learning fun. Children enjoy regular outings to local places of interest with the childminder. For example, they go to the park, farm, zoo and sea-life centre, as well as, going to support groups and toddler groups. This helps them to become aware of the wider world and enables them to socialise and enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children develop excellent skills for the future when using computers and electronic toys. Theme projects and first-hand experiences, such as, investigating mini beasts and wildlife and planting and growing flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs, enhance children's knowledge and understanding. All children enthusiastically take part in the preparations to celebrate the Royal Wedding with other childminders and their

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel completely secure, because they are very relaxed in the childminder's care as they hum happily, pretend to feed their peers, enjoy each other's company and have plenty of cuddles with the childminder. They co-operate well together, learning to share and take turns. They demonstrate good manners in their dealings with each other and when requesting things. The childminder provides individual towels to prevent the spread of infection. However, hygiene practice in respect of washing hands before eating is not consistently maintained. Children's interest in nutritious food is very effectively promoted by the childminder, who provides healthy snacks such as a selection of fruits. She provides freshly cooked lunches and children sit together at the table so they can enjoy their meals and develop their social skills. 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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