Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417691 Inspection date 12/06/2012 Inspector Becky Johnson

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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 2010. She works with a co-minder or an assistant in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The house is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for children's outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range. When working with her co-minder or an assistant she is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children under eight years, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to older children before and after school and during school holidays. There are currently six children in the early years age range on roll. This childminder is registered on the on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 thrive in this relaxed, homely and welcoming environment where they enjoy the range of activities available for them. However, space is not always utilised to its full potential and planning and next steps are not fully linked. The childminder works cohesively with her co-minder to provide a safe and secure caring and learning environment for children. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are fostered to maintain a consistent approach in meeting children's individual needs. The childminder reflects on her practice and can demonstrate how improvements have been made.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand methods of observation and assessment and link these to planning in order to ensure that children progress to the next steps of learning and development at a pace suitable to their individual needs  extend the opportunities for children to access outdoors to allow children to make choices within their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and her implementation of supporting policies and procedures ensures that children are protected whilst in her care. The premises are safe and secure. The use of in- depth risk assessments ensures that the childminder is able to identify any potential hazards. Additional systems are in place to monitor minor concerns whilst still giving children opportunities to take controlled risks for themselves, for example, when washing hands. Space is generally used effectively to encourage children to access all areas available for play. However, the deployment of each co-minder is not always resourcefully considered to fully maximise and support children's learning and development outdoors.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well qualified and children benefit from her knowledge and experience. She shows obvious enjoyment in being with the children and strives to ensure that they receive a high level of care and learning while having fun. She updates her knowledge by attending training courses and implements what she has learnt to improve the outcomes for children. The childminder reflects on her own practice. She has made ongoing improvements since registration and is able to identify areas in which she needs to develop further to improve outcomes for children. All documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and welfare is in place. A range of policies and procedures enhance and support the childminder's good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents. She works closely with them and shares information daily, either verbally or with the use of a daily routine diary for younger children. This helps to develop continuity between home and minding environments and ensures that children's individual needs are routinely met. A website pertaining to the childminder's setting allows parents to access additional information such as menus and activities. Parents' views are valued and have been sought through the use of a questionnaire. Comments received from parents are very positive. They say that the childminder and her co-minder are professional, caring, helpful and understanding and provide an excellent service. They say that children visit interesting places and love coming to childminder's house. The childminder actively develops and fosters links with other settings that children attend to maintain a consistent approach to children's

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and outcomes for children

Children show obvious enjoyment of being with the childminder and are happy and relaxed in her company. They thoroughly enjoy participating in activities, such as construction, craft and role play. The childminder knows each child well and her flexible planning develops through their interests and play preferences. She intersperses children's choices with sensitive questioning and interaction to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourage children to think and learn, for example, she talks about colours and height when constructing towers with bricks. The childminder is able to provide differentiated activities to meet and develop each child's learning potential based on individual capabilities and starting points. Systems to observe and evaluate children's progress are in place. However, they are not fully embedded in order to enable the childminder to identify and plan activities to support children to move

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and outcomes for children

forward to their next steps of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a wonderful time in this relaxed and friendly environment. They eagerly participate in activities the childminder has prepared, such as sticking buttons onto Father's Day cards. The childminder is adept at extending the activities to introduce colours and counting. For example, when providing children with glue pots they count how many children are present and make sure that there are enough pots to go round. Older children know that if there are three children and two glue pots they need one more for everyone to have their own. Stories are a firm favourite and children listen intently to their favourite stories, joining in with familiar phrases about a big scary monster. Children's physical skills are developed through outdoor activities where they dig and plant in the garden, hoola hoop and throw and catch balls. They talk about birds they have seen when outside and know that a robin has a red breast and that a sparrow is brown. Children's

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and outcomes for children

knowledge of their local community is enhanced through regular outings to nature centres and parks. They enjoy visiting the local shops where they find ingredients they need for cooking activities. To celebrate Chinese New Year they visit the Chinese quarter in the nearby city and make fortune cookies and lanterns.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement at all times. They develop positive attitudes to learning because the childminder shows an interest in everything they do. She is always close at hand with support and praise for every achievement, no matter how small. Children have forged lovely relationships with their peers and play harmoniously with them, for example, when pretending to have an emergency and call for help on the 'mobile phone'. Children have been involved in talking about and implementing their own house rules which include being kind to each other and not drawing on each other's pictures. The childminder and her co-minder are consistent in their approach to behaviour management and strategies are fair and age appropriate. Children enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder is mindful of children's specific dietary requirements and works closely

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and outcomes for children

with parents to ensure that these are fully adhered to and met. The childminder has a good understanding of inclusive practice and all children are valued and respected as individuals. Above all, the time the children spend with the childminder is an enjoyable experience. Fun and laughter are an integral part of the day and children thrive within this loving and nurturing environment where they are learning skills which will lay firm foundations 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 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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