Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430560 Inspection date 20/06/2012 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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged 16, 10 and two years in Walsall, West Midlands. All of the ground floor is used for child minding along with the bathroom and toilet on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat and some goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll in this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. She also attends local toddler groups and makes use of local facilities, such as parks, shops and the library. She receives support from the local authority.

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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 make good progress in their learning and development and enjoy their time in this welcoming and inclusive setting. The premises are welcoming and most resources are organised efficiently to enable independence in the choice of activities. All of the required information is gathered and maintained to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Appropriate partnerships with parents, organisations and other providers are developing, which means children's needs are in the main effectively met. The childminder shows commitment and capacity to improve the quality of her care through reflective practice and competently relays her plans for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase resources available to children to promote their understanding and knowledge of diversity, disability and the wider world  review assessment systems so that parents have regular opportunities to add to records and involve parents in practical ways to support their child's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is efficiently safeguarded because the childminder has robust policies and procedures which work in practice and are shared with parents. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children's welfare and ensures that her knowledge and understanding remain up-to-date and in line with local guidance. Detailed risk assessments and daily safety checks ensure that both the indoor and outdoor play areas are safe and risks to children are minimised. The childminder discusses and practises the fire evacuation procedure with children to ensure they develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. She also records the information to demonstrate improvements in practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic, friendly and caring and helps children to feel secure and at ease in the setting. Children are happy to play independently and the childminder is always close at hand to offer support. The childminder makes very good use of the space available in her home. She allows children to choose from a wide variety of age-appropriate resources. This helps children develop their independence, social skills and confidence. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion and offers a warm welcome to all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a strong emphasis on developing close working relationships with parents and carers. Comprehensive policies and procedures are clear and easy to understand and parents sign to say these are read and understood. Key information is recorded about children's development and interests to help them settle in. Daily discussions and written diaries keep parents informed of children's progress and care. However, the childminder has not provided parents with opportunities to be involved in practical ways to support their child's learning and development at home. She actively encourages parents to share their thoughts and has sought their opinions of her service through the use of a questionnaire. This is an area the childminder is keen to develop further. The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to work in partnerships with other providers to enable children to make the transition from one setting to another

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and has made changes as required to benefit the outcomes for children. For example, she has attended recent first aid and behaviour management courses and is in the process of completing an action plan of improvements for the self-evaluation of her provision. She has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement and is committed to improving her practice, for example, she is sourcing additional play venues for younger children to visit. She has a vision for the future and plans to improve her knowledge and skills through further training to demonstrate her commitment to continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They readily seek comfort and reassurance and enjoy her joining in with their play. The childminder helps them learn new skills, gain confidence and independence as separate they from their parents and settle in and practise walking unaided. Children's language development is well supported by the childminder through positive interaction. Young children enjoy activities, such as looking at their faces in a mirror or finding animals in familiar books. They like to knock down the towers they are learning to build; often showing great delight. Children have ready access to a wide selection of books which include teaching children about 'stranger danger' and road safety. Children take part in playing musical instruments and song and rhyming sessions. As a result, children make good progress in developing their social, communication and language and literacy skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively involved in a variety of activities; both inside and outside of the home which help to promote children's learning and development. For example, children learn about caring for nature and their environment through growing flowers and caring for the childminder's vegetable garden. Promotion of children's awareness of people's differences is limited. The environment has some equipment depicting other cultures and languages, however, children are not able to access a range of resources that reflect cultural diversity and disability. A variety of interactive, programmable toys gives younger children the opportunities to acquire basic skills in operating simple equipment, number and colour recognition. Children's physical skills develop effectively through younger children using the garden to run and play on sit-and-ride toys or taking part in weekly gymnastic sessions. The childminder provides sufficient resources and challenges to advance

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted through the implementation of effective and familiar routines. They understand that hand washing is important in preventing germs and is a necessary part of their personal health routines. Nutritionally appropriate snacks are provided by the childminder. She takes care to ensure safe storage to reduce the risk of any spoilage or possibility of food poisoning for lunch boxes parent prepare. Children enjoy the social interaction that takes place at meal times, chatting with the childminder about their day. Children's behaviour is suitably managed as the childminder employs appropriate methods to help children to learn about right and wrong. They are encouraged to help others, share and take turns. As a result, they are developing good self-esteem and understand when they have done well as they receive praise and recognition for 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 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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