Childminder in Worcestershire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204739 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Rebecca Johnson

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a house in the Bewdley Hill area of Kidderminster. There are shops, parks and schools within walking distance. The dining room, kitchen and downstairs toilet are used for childminding; the premises are easily accessible to all. 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 four children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children in the early years age range on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder receives support from the local authority and is developing partnerships with other agencies.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of the provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care, where they are well-supported and are making good progress in their learning and development. The uniqueness of each child is recognised due to the childminder's exceptionally good understanding of children's individual needs and her wholly inclusive practice where all children are valued and made to feel welcome. Positive relationships with parents and other professionals are fostered in order to identify and meet children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the use of risk assessment to ensure that all areas and equipment used by children are safe and suitable for purpose especially with regard to outings  continue to develop the quality and improvement processes to monitor and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 implement a written complaints procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints and keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome (also applies to both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 07/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is passionate about the service that she provides. She is highly motivated and totally committed to providing a good level of care and education for the children. She updates her knowledge and expertise through research and reading to enhance her good practice. However, although she can clearly identify areas for improvement, she has not yet fully implemented a process of self- evaluation to enable her to effectively identify the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. The childminder manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. The environment is utilised to its full potential to provide children with choices about where and with what they wish to play. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult- initiated activities that sustain their interest well.

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provision

Most documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place. The childminder works very well with parents and other agencies in order to develop a consistent approach in meeting children's needs. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents’ wishes and the childminder takes time to accumulate information relating to their individual needs and preferences before they start. This ensures continuity between home and minding environments and helps children to settle well. Informal discussions take place each day to further develop good relationships with parents, who value the trust and confidence they have in the childminder's ability to care for their children. However, a complaints procedure has not yet been implemented to ensure that any concerns which may be raised are dealt with appropriately.

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provision

Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and practised effectively to ensure that children are well-protected. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care ensures that their welfare is safeguarded. Her home is safe and secure and she has implemented procedures to ensure that any potential risks to children have been minimised. However, written risk assessments do not include all areas of the premises used or places children visit. Therefore, this could pose a potential risk to children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. They benefit from a range of activities which fosters their participation and the childminder's good support and gentle encouragement enables them to enjoy and achieve. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures they receive a balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities along with opportunities to access quiet, active, indoor and outdoor activities within their daily routine. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual children and their play preferences. This enables her to provide a range of activities which foster children's enjoyment and ensures that they make progress in all areas of learning and development. Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 praise and encouragement at all times. They are building positive relationships

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with the childminder and are obviously happy and contented in her care, actively seeking her out to participate in their activities or for a hug when they become tired. They delight in the individual time and attention they receive from her as she involves herself in their play. The day is filled with laughter and smiles as children participate in fun activities. The childminder encourages and extends children's language through her constant attention and verbal communication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of inclusive practice. All children are highly valued and their specific needs recognised and met appropriately. Children are made to feel special as they are encouraged to develop their own individual personalities in a caring environment where their needs are recognised and they are respected as individuals. Children respond positively to the childminder’s methods of behaviour management which is appropriate to children's age and stage of development and reinforces positive behaviour. They learn good manners and to share toys. Older children begin to understand how to consider the needs and abilities of younger children when they are playing together. Children respond positively to the childminder's methods of behaviour management which is appropriate to children's age and stage of development and reinforces positive behaviour. The childminder makes good use of praise to support positive behaviour

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and is an excellent role model for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Daily discussions with parents ensure that children's individual needs are recognised and met very well. They are cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment. They are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children are learning about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy. They wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. They access fresh air and exercise daily either in the garden or on outings to local parks. They grow their own vegetables and flowers and learn about pollination as they watch the bees in the garden. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 07/04/2009

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 07/04/2009

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