Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361645 Inspection date 16/01/2012 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight years in a house in Dudley, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, two rabbits, five tortoises, guinea pigs and some fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently minds one child in the early years age range who attends after school. Older children are also cared for.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification and also receives support from the local authority. She takes and collects children from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as parks, shops and the library.

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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

Children make outstanding progress at this homely, welcoming setting. Inclusive practice is crucial in all aspects of children's care, learning and play, ensuring their individual needs are prioritised and met. The childminder ensures that all children are respected and included and their understanding of the wider world and diversity is continually enhanced. Required records and documentation is to a very high standard and parents are informed and in the main involved in their child's care and learning. Partnerships with other settings providing children's care are being effectively developed enabling children to make excellent progress. The childminder has developed extremely effective self-evaluation and quality assurance systems. She has successfully met the actions from her previous inspection and this has an immediate impact on children's welfare, safety and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 reviewing assessment systems so that parents have regular opportunities to add to records. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children enter a welcoming, warm, child-centred environment where their health, safety and well-being are paramount. The childminder demonstrates a professional awareness of her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care from abuse and neglect. Children's safety is constantly maintained through the routines followed by the childminder to ensure children are only released into the care of known adults and visitors to the setting are monitored. Excellent written risk assessments are in place, identifying potential risks and how they have been minimised both in the home and when out. Systems for reviewing and updating these are robust and all required records are in place. These effectively support the service the children receive and ensure confidentiality for both parents and children is maintained.

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the early years provision

Concise, well-written policies and procedures are in place which truly reflects the beliefs of care provided. All are shared with parents who record that they have read, understood and respect them. Processes are continually monitored to ensure the views of parents are known and considered at all times. Excellent relationships have formed between children, parents and the childminder and written comments seen during the inspection were delightful. The childminder works in unity other professionals involved in the children's lives. This includes verbal information sharing and a two-way interest of the activities and topics that the children are involved in. This ensures continuity of care and a feeling of security for children as relationships are excellent.

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the early years provision

Children's understanding of the wider world and diversity is enhanced through the discussions that take place between the childminder and children, the wide variety of activities and resources that they access at all times and the celebration of cultural events throughout the year. Resources reflect positive role models of people with their local community and beyond and any comments or questions are dealt with sensitively and appropriately to enable children's understanding to continually develop. The childminder seeks information for the children and parents through the internet and provides literature that informs them of the wide variety of cultural events taking place around the world. They try foods from different countries and the parents inform the childminder of events that are happening within the children's families, which enables them to share their own personal experiences.

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the early years provision

Significant importance is placed on reflective practice and self-evaluation in order that standards remain extremely high. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continually improve her knowledge and skills through training and further reading of literature. This ensures she is up-to-date and knowledgeable of current practices within the childcare field. She has further plans to develop and update her formal self-evaluation process and improve the outdoor provision for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress through the excellent variety of activities and play experiences they are involved in which challenge their learning and encourage their natural curiosity to learn. The childminder values children's views and they take an active part in planning their day. Their thoughts and ideas are continually sought to ensure they gain the most from the activities and play experiences provided. Detailed planning is prepared which clearly links to the six areas of learning and enables children to effectively progress towards the early learning goals. First class observations are recorded which give a clear reflection of what the child has been involved in, what area of learning it has included and enables the childminder to plan effectively for their future learning. All are supported by photographs and any creative work they have completed. Children's learning journeys are shared with parents; however, there is no system in place so that

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and outcomes for children

parents have regular opportunities to add their views.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and settled and are relaxed and confident in the routines of the day. Interaction between the childminder and the children is exceptional and they have clearly formed strong, secure relationships. Children's independence is promoted effectively and they confidently take care of their own personal needs and make informed decisions with regard to their play. Excellent use is made of the space in the childminder's home. Resources are plentiful, of a very high standard and displayed appealingly at children's level. This allows children to self-select and to develop their independence in the choice of activities and toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to make marks, draw and create and their language development is continually encouraged through the skilful questioning by the childminder. Children's understanding of mathematical concepts is encouraged throughout all activities such as sand and water play, emptying and filling cups, bottles and bowls. Children's physical skills are continually enhanced through using small tools and equipment such as scissors, cooking utensils, pens, pencils and equipment for gardening. On large equipment they learn about moving in a variety of ways, over, through, and under, backwards and sideways over climbing equipment and also develop their balancing skills and coordination.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about different cultures and actively find out more about them, for example, looking at books and talking about people who live in various different countries or trying different foods from around the world. They have opportunities to learn about other cultures, celebrating special events together, such as birthdays and festivals like Easter and Christmas. They see an abundance of positive images of diversity in their learning environment and play with resources, particularly small world figures in other languages to support their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn the importance of a healthy diet and are encouraged to make good choices. Snacks are freshly prepared for children each day and take account of their individual dietary requirements and needs. Snack times are relaxed, social occasion. The childminder actively seeks further information about being healthy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and has gained a lot of resources from the internet which enables her to explore healthy eating further and share the information with children and their parents. Children enjoy activities which encourage their understanding of healthy eating as they grow and tend fruits and vegetables. The strawberries were enjoyed the most. Children's welfare needs are thoroughly met so that they eat very healthily and learn proper habits of hygiene as part of their routine day, therefore, laying firm foundations for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of keeping themselves safe are continually promoted through consistent reinforcement and activities that take place, such as practising fire evacuation safety in the setting to ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. They learn the importance of crossing the road safely as the childminder chats to them as they walk to and from school. They learn about stranger danger and understand that they are not able to leave the setting unless with a known adult. Children play very well together and are encouraged to share and take turns. They are kind, courteous and thoughtful towards each other and the childminder praises them for the excellent behaviour and their achievements. 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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