Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440294 Inspection date 17/07/2012 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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and seven years in a house in Kingswinford, West Midlands. Access to the property is via six steps to the front door. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom of the property are used for childminding. The childminder takes children to and collects them from, local schools and nurseries. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for five children, of whom, three may be in the early years age range. She is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for older children. There are currently six children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is working towards a level 2 qualification in childcare and 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

The needs of all children are well met in this warm, comfortable, family orientated environment. Children are very settled and gain confidence due to the support they receive from this caring childminder. Overall, they make good progress in their learning and development. Children with additional needs are exceptionally well supported and wholly included into the setting. The childminder has developed good working relationships with parents and exchanges in-depth information with them daily. The childminder reflects on her practice and has implemented systems to enable her to sustain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve methods to identify children's next steps and to include parents in this process.

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the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures ensures that children are well protected. An in-depth policy clearly sets out to parents the childminder's responsibility to protect children in her care. She is vigilant in ensuring children's safety, both within the home and when on outings and can successfully describe methods she has implemented to ensure that any hazards to children are minimised. Her risk assessment is regularly updated to include any specific issues, for example, lifting children. Premises and resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are utilised effectively to provide children with choices and to maximise and support their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows obvious enjoyment in being with the children. She is friendly and caring and this helps children to feel safe and at ease in her company. Daily routines are managed successfully to accommodate the individual needs of the children who attend. The childminder furthers her knowledge by attending training courses and is committed to developing her practice in order to improve her service and ensure the best possible outcomes for the children. She reflects on her own practice and can identify areas in which she needs to make improvements. Systems, such as the use of self-evaluation, support this practice and ensure that improvement is sustained. 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 and promote inclusion for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents. Detailed information gathered before children start helps the childminder to support children during the settling in period and develops consistency. However, parents are not always involved in the identification of children's next steps to enable them to continue and support children's learning at home. Information is shared on a daily basis, both verbally and through the use of a two-way daily diary. This ensures that children's individual needs are routinely met. Parents views are sought through questionnaires and their comments are positive. They say that they are confident that children are cared for in a safe, caring environment and that they enjoy sharing the 'Learning Journeys'. The childminder fosters links with other settings that children attend and shares information with them.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in this warm, caring environment where they benefit from good support and encouragement to enjoy and achieve. Children are very happy and secure in the childminder's care. They interact positively with her, laughing and smiling or holding out their arms for a cuddle when they become tired. The childminder is very much aware that children learn through play and the daily routines are planned to ensure that children have fun and enjoy the time they spend with her. She encourages them to choose activities for themselves and then intersperses these with adult-initiated play to further enhance children's learning and development. For example, when counting numbers and learning letters. The childminder is successful in identifying and addressing differences in children's individual learning and development needs. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures they can participate in a

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and outcomes for children

range of activities which they enjoy. Systems to observe and evaluate children's progress are in place. However, they are not yet fully embedded in order to enable the childminder to plan activities to support children's next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement at all times and shows an interest in everything they do. She is always close at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hand with support and praise for every achievement, no matter how small. Children enjoy spending time outdoors in the fresh air. They regularly visit the park where they climb, slide and crawl through tunnels to develop their physical well- being and skills. The childminder uses outdoor experiences and walks to support and encourage children's communication and number skills. For example, they look at and name the numbers on speed signs and houses and talk about the different shapes they can see. Children's early communication skills are developed as the childminder reinforces and encourages language. She repeats simple words and phrases and patiently listens to children as they communicate with her to make

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and outcomes for children

their needs known and understood. She has learnt simple signs to further support children with communication difficulties. Children learn about the local community and the wider world. They search for squirrels in the park and visit the airport where they look at the planes and watch them take off and land.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from infection. They are learning about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy as they wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. Children learn about the importance of eating healthy foods and they enjoy home cooked meals, such as vegetable lasagne. They also enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit. They respond positively to the childminder's methods of behaviour management which are consistent and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children demonstrate and express their feelings of security as they play confidently and give out lots of spontaneous cuddles throughout their play time. The childminder has a very good understanding of inclusive practice and all children are valued and respected as individuals. The time the children spend with the childminder is a fun,

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and outcomes for children

enjoyable and enriching experience. As a result of the childminder's support and attention, children thrive within a loving and nurturing environment and develop skills that help to 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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