Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/04/2014 21/02/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision requires improvement

 Children develop their early language and communication skills as they sing songs, look at books and take part in discussions with the childminder.  Children are secure and have close bonds with the childminder, who works well with her assistant to support and care for young children.  The childminder has an adequate understanding of safeguarding procedures and this enables her to promote children's well-being and keep them safe from harm.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not always use her observations and information about children's interests well enough to help identify the next steps in learning. As a result, some activities are not planned well to provide sufficient levels of challenge to fully engage children in order to help them make the best progress.  The childminder has not ensured the required suitability checks have been carried out on one household member who has turned 16 years old.  The system for self-evaluation has yet to be fully considered in order to provide an accurate reflection of the setting's strengths and weaknesses, to ensure that improvement plans are effectively implemented. Parents' and children's views are not regularly gathered to help identify all future priorities.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 observed the childminder engage in a range of indoor learning activities, play and daily care routines with the children.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant and the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning documentation and a selection of policies and procedures.  The inspector looked at areas of the home, including the kitchen and garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of qualifications and suitability of the childminder and household members aged over 16.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 14 years in Redditch. The childminder's husband works with her as an assistant. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a low step to the front of the premises and children have access to an outdoor play area. The family has two dogs, three cats, a guinea pig and a hamster. There are currently eight children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range. The childminder operates from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday. She holds an early years qualification at level 3 and is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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must:

 improve the effectiveness of observations and assessment by increasing the frequency of these to provide an accurate picture of how well each child is doing, and use this information to plan the next steps in their learning to ensure activities clearly match future learning experiences and enable children to make the best possible progress

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must:

 ensure information is provided to Ofsted in a timely manner so they can check the suitability of all persons over the age of 16 living on the premises.

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

 extend the system for improvement and self-evaluation by more accurately identifying, planning and prioritising what needs to be done to improve, and give parents and children more opportunities to share their views and contribute to this process.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a suitable knowledge of how children learn and develop. She works with her assistant to plan a suitable range of activities to support children's interests and learning. The childminder responds to requests from the children and listens to what they like to do and play with. She makes observations to help identify what children need to do next. She also has access to appropriate guidance to help track children's development. However, the childminder does not always use this information to accurately plan for the next stage in children's learning. This results in some play opportunities which lack sufficient interest to engage children in order to help them learn effectively.

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who attend

Children initiate their own learning as they choose musical instruments to play with. The childminder follows their lead and ask questions to support their learning. Children learn about colours and numbers as they play with instruments. The childminder supports children's vocabulary as she repeats names of instruments, such as shakers and a xylophone. The childminder complete the progress check at age two with parents. This helps her to plan for the next stage in children's learning and to identify areas in which they may require further support. Children are becoming aware of signs in their environment. The childminder teaches children to look for numbers and letters, which supports their literacy development. This helps children obtain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, such as starting school.

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who attend

The childminder ensures children take part in daily outdoor activities to support their physical development. In the garden they use the see-saw, slide and wheeled toys to support their balance and coordination. Children enjoy feeding the pet guinea pig with carrots, which helps them to learn about different animals. This is further extended through outings to local farms where children feed the goats and chickens. Children enjoy riding on tractors and use the trampoline to support their interests and physical development. The childminder talks to parents about topics and activities children enjoy with her to encourage parents to be involved in their children's learning. The activity board displays children's work, which helps them to continue their learning at home.

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

Children are cared for in a homely and welcoming environment where they are happy and have close bonds with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder collects information from parents about children's individual interests and care needs, which she uses to help them settle in her home. This reassures and supports their self-esteem and emotional well-being. There are suitable settling-in procedures, which include prior visits to the home to help children become familiar with their new care environment and adults, and helps to ease the transition from home. Children learn to consider each other as they share and take turns with toys, which promotes positive behaviour. They receive regular praise, treats and rewards for their efforts, which supports their self-esteem and confidence.

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

Parents provide a sutiable range of healthy meals and snacks for their children, which ensures their individual dietary needs are met. Children feed themselves with healthy snacks of fresh fruit and sandwiches, and the childminder ensures that children have regular drinks of water to prevent them becoming thirsty. Regular hand washing routines before food help children to learn about the importance of consistent personal hygiene and how to promote their own good health. Appropriate nappy changing procedures are in place to ensure children receive the support they need to progress to the next stage. Children enjoy daily walks and outings in the local community where they benefit from fresh air to support their good health.

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

A wide range of toys and equipment support children's interests and their learning. Resources are easily accessible to help children make decisions about their learning and also to support their growing independence. Children learn about road safety when on outings in the community. They know they must stay close to the childminder and hold hands when they cross the road, which helps children stay safe. At school, older children wait in the playground to be collected, which helps them take responsibility for their own safety. Through books, discussions and visits, children learn to prepare emotionally for their move on to other settings, such as school.

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provision

The childminder has an appropriate knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities relating to the safeguarding and welfare requirements, which helps to keep children safe and promote their welfare. She understands the signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm and has a clear safeguarding procedure to follow. The childminder has conducted risk assessments for her home and of outings in the local community. Safety equipment, such as stair gates, is in place to help keep children safe from potential hazards. The childminder is aware she needs to ensure all household members over the age of 16 are suitable. However, she has not supplied Ofsted with the required information in a timely manner so they can complete the appropriate suitability checks on every member of her household. Although these are requirements of the Early Years Register and Childcare Register which have not been met, there is minimal impact on children's safety. This is

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provision

due to appropriate procedures to ensure children are not left alone with persons who have not been vetted.

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provision

Parents receive daily verbal feedback on children's care and learning, which keeps them adequately informed of their children's progress. The childminder provides a suitable range of play opportunities to help children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. However, observations and assessments are not used well enough to help plan for the next stage in children's learning. This means that the educational programme is not always precise enough to accurately match the needs of individual children's and, therefore, children make satisfactory rather than good progress in their learning. Children do not currently attend other settings which deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, suitable procedures are in place to work with other providers to support and complement children's learning.

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provision

The system for self-evaluation is not robust enough and does not currently identify all areas which require further development. This hinders the childminder's ability to continually develop the provision for the benefit of the children who attend. However, she has made some improvements, such as updating both her and the assistant's training, which helps to support both their professional development. She has identified she would like to improve her system for recording observations and has purchased tracker books which she plans to use. The childminder works generally well with her assistant. They have regular discussions on areas which they feel could be improved, however, some areas have been overlooked, resulting in some gaps in the educational programme. The childminder talks daily to parents about children's general care and learning, and their request for more information on activities has been addressed by a display board.

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provision

However, systems to fully engage both parents and children in improvement plans are in the early stages. This means that parents and children do not have sufficient opportunities to contribute their ideas and views, in order to help develop the service further.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 ensure that Ofsted is kept informed of any changes, such as when a person reaches the age of 16 years (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that Ofsted is kept informed of any changes, such as when a person reaches the age of 16 years (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY349011 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 967316 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 8

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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.

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Type of provision

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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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