Sallyann Elliott

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420225 Inspection date 22/07/2011 Inspector Patricia Dawes

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, eight and five in a house in Halesowen. The whole of the home, except for the master bedroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age range.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as, parks, shops and the library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and also receives support from the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder gathers useful information on children's individual needs to promote inclusion and support their learning and development. Documentation is comprehensive and very well maintained and all relevant policies and procedures are reflective of practice and suitably implemented. The childminder has effective partnerships with parents where systems have been appropriately developed, so they have regular communication to promote consistency of care. She has a sound awareness of the requirement to work in partnership with other settings that children attend. Evaluation procedures are in their early stages, but the childminder has identified areas for improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further systems that provide a summary of children's achievements to ensure their progression, and involve parents in practical ways to support their child's learning and development  develop further evaluation systems to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder is fully aware of her roles and responsibilities with regard to child protection issues. All household members are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 known to Ofsted to enable appropriate checks to be undertaken. She is clear about what she would do in the event of any concerns about a child. This is supported through detailed policies and procedures that are shared with parents and carers who can be assured of the childminder's duty of care to act in the best interest of the children at all times. The childminder ensures children are safe and secure, both inside and outside the home. She undertakes risk assessments to identify hazards within the setting and when she takes children on outings to various locations. Regular fire drills are practised and evaluated, so that children know how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. All records are comprehensive and

p.4

the early years provision

systematic and are stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is friendly and caring and this helps children to feel at ease in the setting and secure. Children are happy to play independently and the childminder is always close at hand to offer support. The childminder is beginning to develop her understanding of how to help children learn about a wider society and children explore the local environment and regularly attend other groups and play venues to socialise. She demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion and offers a warm welcome to all children. Resources that reflect positive images of diversity are available and continually being extended. She makes good use of the space available in her home. Children can choose from the resources available to them and are able to direct their own play. They enjoy a varied day, with regular outings to a local park and play venues. This helps children develop their social skills and confidence.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents from the outset, gathering key information about children's individual care needs and interests to help them settle in. The childminder makes sure parents are kept informed about their child's daily routine and achievements through regular daily discussions. The childminder recognises the importance of working with other professionals in order to meet the needs of children and support children's continuity of care and learning. She is aware of making appropriate links with the local nursery when the need arises.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and makes changes as required to benefit the outcomes for children. For example, she has identified relevant areas for improvement, such as attending training to gain a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in childcare and adjusting children learning journals to make them more user friendly. She has undertaken some informal self-evaluation of her provision, and has some understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement. She is committed to improving her practice and has a vision for the future.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children receive good levels of support to secure their progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is effective in her interaction as she has a clear understanding of where children need support. She records useful and relevant information about what children can do, and also information about what their next stage of learning is and what support they need. The childminder then uses This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 this information to plan either adult-led activities or how she will support children's learning through free play. However, parents are not yet included in this process to ensure further support in their child's learning and development. The childminder is skilled in her interaction with children. For example, when playing with small world figures, she points out differences, talking to children about long or short hair, boys or girl figures or uses puppets to teach young children number rhymes

p.5

and outcomes for children

such as 'five current buns'. As a result, children are making good improvements in their learning and development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable in the environment and move around freely. Their imagination is supported through role play and creative activities such as, playing knights and castles or making 'sun' pictures. Children are developing their language skills as they are encouraged to join in conversations during play and they attempt to repeat new words. They use paint as a medium to produce cards to celebrate 'Mother's Day' or make flags from around the world. All of this promotes and encourages their early writing skills. They learn to count and recognise colours as they match and sort different toys into groups. Children show an interest in nature, for example, visiting the animals in the local pet centre or making fat balls to feed the birds in the garden. Children enjoy playing in the garden with a range of outdoor equipment. They wear suitable attire, such as sun cream during the warm weather, to keep them safe, and Wellington boots in the

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy options at snack time and are given food in adequate quantities to ensure they are not hungry. They play on the equipment, as well as regularly visiting the local park and play centres to develop their physical skills. Children are effectively supported to learn about safety as the childminder gives clear explanations of why something is not safe. For example, when walking to school the childminder teaches children about road safely and stranger danger. Children's behaviour is suitably managed as the childminder employs appropriate methods to help children to learn about right and wrong. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8