Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424690 Inspection date 07/10/2011 Inspector Adelaide Griffith

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and child aged three years in the Wordsley area of Stourbridge. The whole of the ground floor and one room on the first floor of the property are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a budgie.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attends on a part-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.

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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 in the Early Years Foundation Stage are making consistent progress in their learning and development. On the whole, children's welfare is competently safeguarded and their individual needs are met effectively. The self-evaluation process is in its infancy and some changes have been made to promote children's well-being. There is appropriate capacity to maintain continuous improvement through plans for further development of the provision. The childminder works very well in partnership with parents, but working links with other early years providers are not yet established. The childminder provides a supportive environment for the care and development of children.

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further?

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

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further?

 use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes and ask parents for their views on the quality of care and education provided  review safety procedures to include regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well informed about her responsibility to protect children. She has a good understanding of following reporting procedures if she has concerns about the children in her care. A wide range of safeguarding procedures are implemented competently. For example, risk assessments are available for the premises and outings. However, the childminder has not practised fire drills and so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are not aware of how to act in an emergency

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the early years provision

The childminder aims to improve her practice through the self-evaluation process, which is evolving. She has made a few changes to the provision. For instance, she has made resources, including a treasure basket, to enhance the exploratory play of young children. There is effective communication with parents, but this does not include their active input into the review of the provision. This means that improvements may not always be targeted to ensure best outcomes at all times. The childminder demonstrates a capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. For instance, she plans to attend courses to ensure that she keeps abreast of initiatives in the early years sector.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built a strong relationship with parents, who are regarded as equal partners in the care and development of their child. The childminder and parents implement similar strategies to promote children's development and this ensures that they make good progress. As yet, partnership working with other providers is not established because children do not attend other settings. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information to provide continuity in children's care and learning. The childminder ensures that children's needs are addressed effectively through individual routines. She provides a well-resourced environment that supports children's independence positively.

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and outcomes for children

Children are at ease in the childminder's home where they have opportunities to participate in a wide range of stimulating activities. Age-appropriate resources are accessible and children's play is effectively supported. The childminder is alert to children's preferences and plans for these consistently. For instance, treasure baskets are available to promote enjoyable play with a selection of natural materials. Children's sensory development is well promoted because the childminder has a wide variety of resources for this purpose. For example, children access resources that help them to explore textures and smells. The childminder varies activities by introducing books and singing nursery rhymes to promote children's language skills.

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and outcomes for children

Frequent observations are carried out to note how children are developing. Their learning is promoted further because the childminder has a good understanding of including challenges. For instance, activities with a splash mat promote active listening to different sounds. She provides resources that move and make noises to encourage reaching and stretching by placing these away from babies. The childminder implements shared activities and younger children express excitement as they sit and look at trains that others propel around a track.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes children to groups to promote their social skills and to ensure they mix with others from different backgrounds. They are introduced to diversity in society through some interesting resources. Children's self-awareness is developing well because the childminder encourages play with mirrors. This means that children's self-image grows as they look at their reflection. They feel secure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 because the childminder cuddles babies when reading to them or as they are fed. A strong bond of attachment has been formed and babies call to the childminder whenever she moves out of sight. She promptly responds and this provides reassurance and comfort.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted effectively due to the implementation of a wide range of procedures. Children are taken outdoors daily on walks or outings. Physical play, sleep and feeding times are balanced to ensure children benefit from healthy lifestyle options. Drinks are available at all times. Children are clearly safe in the childminder's home. For example, doors are kept locked at all times. Their awareness of safety is beginning to develop due to reminders to be gentle with younger peers. The wealth of activities across all areas of learning and the effective use of resources ensure that children develop good skills for the future. 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 3 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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