Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204503 Inspection date 01/11/2011 Inspector Christine Armstrong

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children and one 12 year old. They live in a house in Rubery. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than four may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered 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 are effectively supported to make good progress in their learning and development in this welcoming and inclusive setting. The childminder develops strong partnerships with parents to ensure each child's uniqueness is identified and their individual needs are well met. Children's health and safety is supported well. A risk assessment is undertaken and covers most things that a child may come into contact with. The childminder is aware of her strengths and has plans in place to develop her service, which provides a strong basis for her capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact, in this instance trailing wires and small stones in the garden.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare are effectively promoted and protected. Children are never left with anyone who has not been vetted so their safety is well maintained. All adults living on the premises are suitably vetted. The childminder has a good understanding of her legal duties and responsibilities with regards to child protection issues. She has recently completed an advanced safeguarding course to update and develop her knowledge of child protection issues. She has also devised written safeguarding polices and procedures that are shared with parents. As a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 result, she has a strong understanding of the action she should take if she was concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. Risk assessments on the premises, outings and resources are carried out regularly, but some things which a child may come into contact with are not included, for example, trailing wires and

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the early years provision

small stones in the garden. However, the impact of this oversight is not significant as the childminder ensures children are within her sight at all times. Effective arrangements are in place that support children's good health and minimise cross- infection.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She has a strong understanding of how to support children's learning. She has a kind, calm and caring approach to children which helps them to feel valued and respected. She provides an inclusive environment where children are supported to make choices and take an active part in daily routines. For example, low-level storage enables even the youngest children to independently access resources that attract their interest. The child-size furniture also promotes their independence and choice. Posters, displays and resources contain positive images of diversity which give a message that every one is welcome. They also support children to recognise and value similarities and differences in themselves and others.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive relationship that the childminder develops with their parents. Information is obtained with regards to children's care, interests and abilities. This is used well by the childminder to tailor care and learning experiences to the needs and abilities of individual children. Parents receive information at the end of the day with regard to their child's daily experiences. Learning journals and displays of children's work provide parents with additional information about daily activities and children's achievements. As a result, parents are able to support and extend their children's learning at home. The childminder does not currently care for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she understands the importance of working closely with other early years professionals to support such children. No children attend other early years settings but the childminder is aware of the importance of establishing

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the early years provision

links to support cohesion in children's learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvements. She is clearly committed to improving her practice and outcomes for children. Since the last inspection improvements have been made to the premises inside and outdoors which have improved the quality of the learning environment for children. The childminder is very motivated to develop her practice in order to continually improve outcomes for children. She attends numerous training events which have helped to develop her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has plans in place to further develop her systems to monitor children's progress in order to maximise children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder ensures she is aware of children's interests and she has arrangements in place to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 establish their starting points. She uses observations well in both planned and unplanned activities and links these to the areas of learning. She has started to assess children's progress and uses a tracker to plan what they need to learn next. This enables her to plan challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a varied range of stimulating activities that inspire them to become active learners and to develop their skills for the future. Their interest in technology is fostered well. They learn to operate and explore a range of exciting simple technology toys that respond with sound and light to their touch, such as small world shop tills and interactive books. The childminder is very effective in supporting each child's communication skills. She encourages emerging vocabulary through naming items as children play. She repeats words back to children and sensitively demonstrates pronunciation and ordering of words. She talks to children about things that she knows they are interested in and spends time interpreting their gestures and responses. This enabes children to convey their wishes which effectively supports their confidence and self-esteem. The environment is rich in print, signs, labels and books so children can develop an interest and

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and outcomes for children

understanding that print carries meaning. Children have lots of opportunities to mark make using a variety of media including chalk, paint and magic mats. The childminder effectively uses treasures baskets containing various textures, sounds and items to excite and encourage younger children's interest in shape, space, colour, number and measure.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow their own interest and initiate their own play using small world resources, musical instruments and craft materials. This supports their creativity and imagination. Children have good opportunities to develop their interest and understanding of the world through a varied range of experiences. For example, they learn about growing as they plant and tend flowers and fruit. They enjoy looking at three dimensional pictures of a gorilla and a giraffe and watch squirrels and birds in the garden. They benefit from visiting the local community which also helps to broaden the range of social and learning experiences. Children benefit from the very positive relationships they develop with the childminder and other children in the setting. This supports children's sense of belonging, security and well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to learn about staying safe. They enjoy a harmonious environment because the childminder effectively supports them to learn to share, take turns and consider others. They learn about safety around the home and road and fire safety. Children also have good opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. The childminder captures lots of everyday opportunities to explain to children about the importance of exercise, good hygiene and eating healthy food. Children have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise in the childminder's garden, at local childcare venues and at local parks. 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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