Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204522 Inspection date 13/05/2011 Inspector Lucy Showell

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children in north Bromsgrove. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed large garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have a Golden Retriever, three cats and some tropical fish.

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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. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, one attends on a part-time basis and one attends on a full-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a Childcare and Education Qualification at Level 3 which includes a module on the care of babies.

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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 are cared for in a relaxed and homely environment. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure all children's needs are inclusively met and individual routines are followed with regard to their requirements and preferences. As a result, the childminder understands and values the individuality of each child in her care. Children are making good progress in their learning because they enjoy a variety of well-organised and stimulating activities. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement through attending relevant training to develop knowledge and skills further.

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further?

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

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further?

 use a system to record the names, the purpose of the visit and details of arrival and departure times of any visitors  develop the use of quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review through assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria.

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the early years provision

The children's safety is secured by the childminder who has effective safeguarding procedures. The relevant contact details and guidance documents in place are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 used to ensure a clear understanding of the signs of possible abuse. The childminder maintains clear documentation to ensure the smooth running of her provision. This includes a good range of robust policies and procedures and registration and insurance certificates are easily seen. She has a clear knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to conditions of registration and she meets the welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. All necessary records are maintained for hours of attendance, medication, accidents and existing injuries and all parental consents are in place. Suitability checks are completed for all adults living in the house. However, whilst identification is requested for all

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the early years provision

visitors there is no system for recording visitors. Space and resources are organised well and the childminder checks her home regularly to ensure hazards are kept to a minimum. For example, the house is secure and equipment is suitable and safe for the ages of children attending. Clear and detailed risk assessments are in place and records of the checks carried out and any actions taken are effectively maintained. The childminder has recently started to evaluate her provision using the Ofsted self-evaluation document. However, she has not yet fully explored how this procedure can be used as an ongoing system to continually improve the quality of the provision for the children that she cares for. She shows a keen interest in developing her skills and knowledge further using information gained at additional training and through discussing best practice with other childcare professionals.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reviews her documentation and checks the quality and suitability of resources to ensure sustainability of her provision. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to communicate effectively with other professionals providing care for children at other settings. She demonstrates this through her well-established relationship with the staff at the nursery where children currently attend. As a result the children receive cohesive experiences and the transition process is effective. She works well with parents by providing useful information about her services, obtains valuable information from parents before care commences regarding children's health and welfare needs and daily news is shared effectively. Parents are invited to offer their opinions of the childminding services on a regular basis. They have completed references for the inspection some comments include: 'The childminder ensures all children are entertained through

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the early years provision

fun and educational activities. I have a collection of artistic creations and my children are always eager to tell me about them', 'The childminder has helped my child to develop in so many ways and I know I don't have to worry about her while I am work', 'I know she is having a super time' and 'She is extremely committed to her career as a childminder and provides excellent care'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and very settled in this warm and welcoming environment. Their sense of belonging is promoted as their creations adorn the walls in the porch. They are encouraged to self-select from the range of toys available which are age appropriate and promote positive images of diversity. There are currently no children attending with either English as an additional language or special This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 educational needs and/or disabilities although the childminder has a good knowledge regarding supporting children and would adapt activities accordingly. The childminder adopts a calm approach to the children, encouraging good behaviour through gentle reminders during play and opportunities to share and take turns with favourite resources. Space is organised effectively and provides children with opportunities for messy play, free and physical activities and

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and outcomes for children

relaxation or sleep. Children enjoy meals such as fish with creamed potatoes and peas. Wherever possible the childminder provides organic foods, many of which sourced from her son's allotment. She has a good understanding of any special dietary needs and ensures that these are met. Children have free access to individual drinks throughout the day which is monitored by the childminder to ensure they are suitably hydrated. Children learn the importance of keeping safe whilst on outings through shared understanding of road safety and stranger danger. They show good awareness of their personal hygiene as they wash their hands thoroughly and older children take care of their own toileting needs well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs appropriately. An effective system for recording individual progress is in place. Clear and detailed observations, both planned and spontaneous, are used which link to the specific areas of learning and development. These are effectively evaluated to identify children's next steps for learning. She liaises effectively with parents, gaining initial information about their child's abilities and interests and continues to build on this through sharing examples of their work and photographs of various fun activities at the setting and on outings. Consequently, the children are progressing well across all areas of learning. The childminder interacts very well with the children, asking age- appropriate questions and responding positively to their actions. There is a good balance of adult-led and freely-chosen or child-initiated activities. Children use the

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and outcomes for children

space available well as they select favourite resources. For example, they explore and investigate the different resources in the conservatory. They use their imaginations well, acting out real or pretend events using the play people and the dolls house or whilst dressing up in favourite outfits. A good range of games, puzzles and construction bricks develop their understanding of shape and size. As they paint they gain further understanding of colours as they mix them together to make new colours. They enjoy looking at books, retelling favourite stories and predicting what will happen next. Children use the wider environment effectively. For example, they help to plant and water the plants and select items from the allotment for dinner. They thoroughly enjoy use of the outdoor equipment, such as the swings, slide and playhouse, developing climbing, catching and negotiation skills. Trips to the local park, nature centre, safari park and the chocolate factory

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and outcomes for children

provide children with a developing awareness of their community and increasing knowledge of the wider world. 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: 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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