Childminder in Walsall

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/02/2013 11/12/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children confidently develop their communication skills and extend their vocabulary through the expertise and enthusiasm of the childminder and activities that interest them.  Children are helped to feel safe and secure as the childminder provides a calm, caring, child-friendly environment where they have familiar routines. This results in children, who are happy, well-settled and confident.  Children's independence is actively encouraged through carefully planned activities that provides them with good skills for the future and prepares them as they move into nursery school.  The childminder consistently develops her skills through keeping in touch with new information and attending training that enables her to improve her practice and enhance the quality of care for all children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is further scope to offer children a greater choice of fruit at snack time to increase their understanding of healthy eating.  Opportunities for children to create areas, such as a snug den and cosy spaces where they can sit and talk with their friends are not fully developed.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed practice with the childminder and talked to the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed a variety of documentation, including the childminder's self- evaluation form, policies and procedures, children's assessment records and planning documentation.  The inspector viewed a range of children's play activities and their snack time.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding on the ground floor downstairs and outdoor area.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Walsall with her husband, one adult child and two children aged 12 and 13 years. The whole of the ground floor, a ground floor toilet and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has two dogs. The childminder attends local toddler groups and visits the park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7.30 am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 improve the choice of fruit available to children at snack time to increase their understanding of healthy eating

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 provide opportunities for children to create areas, such as a snug den and cosy spaces where they can sit and talk with their friends.

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who attend

Children make good progress as the childminder supports children through providing challenging activities. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage and adapts the planning and activities provided to meet children's individual interests. A broad range of stimulating activities is promoted through interesting play activities that quickly engage children. The childminder demonstrates that she plans for children's individual needs as she observes children on a daily basis, identifies areas to develop and interests. Strong links with parents ensure that children's needs are firmly understood by the childminder and planning is precise and carefully considered. This means that children receive a broad and balanced range of experiences that interest them and meet their individual needs. Parents and childminder jointly complete an initial assessment when children start to attend, so that the childminder understands their

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who attend

interests and abilities. Ongoing communication with parents enables the childminder to accurately assess each child's progress and decide on targets for their further development. Children's individual learning journeys are well documented and shared with their parents. These identify areas for their further development and include parents' opinions and impressions of their child's progress.

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who attend

The childminder is skilled at providing challenging activities where children of different abilities can learn in a group but at their own pace. For example, a focus activity is skilfully introduced, so that children eagerly become involved. They unpack a basket that contains books and props and listen intently to stories and sing along with songs. They play with props of a butterfly, spider and caterpillar to correspond with aspects of a story, which provides deeper learning and understanding. The activity is adapted well to meet the needs of younger children, who concentrate well and then move onto additional play experiences that are readily available. Children confidently communicate and develop their vocabulary and formation of sentences as they describe what they are doing. The childminder supports their activities well as she encourages children and extends their learning by asking carefully considered questions. Further learning is encouraged as

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who attend

children count from one to four and recognise different colours as they read the story about the lifecycle of a caterpillar. The childminder listens carefully to children as they play and develop their skills. This enables her to plan activities to closely match their individual needs and focus on their interests.

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who attend

Children of all ages are maturing well as they attend to their own personal needs and learn how to share toys and play together. They include each other in their play activities and help to clear away their toys before snack time. This prepares them well for the next stages in their learning, such as moving onto nursery school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children share warm and caring relationships with the childminder. They readily approach her for comfort and support and eagerly join in with planned activities. This ensures that children feel secure and develop attachments with the others in the childminder's care. Children are working towards independence as they explore defined play areas and behave with consideration towards other children. Younger children are learning how to share toys and appreciate the needs of others. The childminder interacts with children in a warm and friendly manner, while setting clear and consistent boundaries for their behaviour. This ensures that children have fun while they play and learn and learn right from wrong.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

An outdoor area is accessible and the childminder encourages children to use this area daily. They visit parks and walk to and from a local school where older children are collected. They learn about the world around them as they discuss how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly and hunt for bugs and insects when they are outdoors. Careful consideration towards risk assessments ensures that these activities are safe for the children. Their physical skills are encouraged as they negotiate steps and grassed areas and use larger play equipment to climb and explore. Children explore the indoors collecting their preferred toys from low-level drawers. There is further scope, however, to provide children with opportunities to create areas, such as a snug den and cosy spaces where they can sit and talk with their friends.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children enjoy snack time as older children cut up bananas, promoting their independence and helping them appreciate aspects of a healthy diet. There are, however, greater opportunities for additional fruits to be provided that would further extend their understanding of healthy eating. Children have opportunities to rest during the day as sleep mattresses are provided that allow them to sleep in safety and comfort. Children are supported throughout their transitions to other settings. There are good relationships in place with the teaching staff at the local schools where children will eventually attend full-time school. They become familiar with the journey and have opportunities to meet staff and the other children. Play sessions at the local children's centre provides opportunities for children and the childminder to meet with teaching staff from the local school, which further helps as they transfer to school. A daily diary helps

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

parents keep in touch with their child's daily activities and their routines. This means that children receive consistency in their care and learning and their emotional well-being is fostered. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis about their child's play activities and their learning. This means that children settle easily and remain content as there are strong and purposeful relationships between the childminder and parents.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. This means that children learn and develop from a broad and balanced programme of activities and opportunities. She has developed comprehensive paperwork that allows her to track their progress and plan activities that they enjoy and increases their learning experiences. The childminder works closely with agencies and is able to seek support and additional help for children should this be identified.

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provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and has a good understanding of how to protect children should there be concerns regarding their welfare. All the relevant documents are in place to help ensure a safe and secure environment for children. They access play areas confidently and safely as the childminder constantly reviews their safety to correspond with the broad range of activities available and children's changing needs. Policies and procedures are in place and reviewed annually and parents sign to acknowledge they have read these. This provides continuity between home and the childminder, resulting in a secure environment for children.

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provision

The childminder measures how successfully she is meeting children's needs and the needs of their parents by completing an evaluation of her service together with the local authority quality audit tool. This helps drive forward a range of improvements that focus on the individual needs of the children and ensure there are positive changes made that benefit their progress. There are plans to develop an additional outdoor play area to the front of the house and to commence some planting of fruit and vegetables in the garden. Planning is carefully considered and successfully uses children's individual assessments to provide further learning opportunities. The childminder understands her strengths and weaknesses and skilfully targets any gaps in children's learning through planning, so that their needs are successfully supported.

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provision

The childminder is eager to develop her existing skills through sharing practice and ideas with other professionals. Regular visits to the children's centre allow the childminder to keep up to date with recent developments and share ideas with centre staff. The childminder regularly attends training that extends her skills and knowledge of how to best support children's learning needs. The childminder regularly shares with parents their child's learning journeys and written summaries of their progress. Regular emails and photographs of children's activities means that parents are kept informed of which activities their child enjoys. This enables them to continue with their learning when they are at home.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY349472 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 820854 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration. Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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