Childminder in Birmingham

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 228493 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Kashma Patel

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

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).

p.2

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. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband in Birmingham. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local outings to parks including regular attendances at the local carer and toddler groups.

p.3

Description of the childminding

There are 10 children currently on roll. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently four 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 older children up to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is able to take and collect children from local schools. She also helps out on a voluntary basis at the pre-school where minded children attend. She has an early years qualification in childcare to level 3.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and child friendly environment. They have their individual needs met by the childminder who helps children to develop their independence, confidence and self-esteem. Children are making suitable progress in their learning and development through a varied range of activities and experiences both inside and outside the home. The childminder ensures that she regularly liaises with parents and other settings such as the pre-school where children also attend. The childminder has the capacity to improve her provision although she is not fully confident in identifying action needed to further developing the welfare and learning and development opportunities offered to the children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure observations are used to assess children's progress and plan the next steps in children's learning and development  improve knowledge of the learning and development requirements and how the activities provided for children support their development in each of the six areas of learning.  further improve information for parents regarding children's progress and achievements so they are able to support their child's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met which promotes inclusion in the setting. All the required documentation is in place and is reviewed regularly to reflect current guidance and this ensures children's safety and welfare is promoted in the setting. The childminder is keen to further develop her knowledge and skills through training. She has attended child protection training and has a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities in keeping children safeguarded. Possible risks to children are identified and minimised through daily visual checks and monthly written risk assessments within her home. The childminder is able to identify some of her strengths and weaknesses but does not have sufficient knowledge of how to link activities to the six areas of learning. She has started to observe children but is unsure how to use this information in planning the next stage of children's

p.4

provision

learning. The childminder is aware that she needs to develop her confidence and has already accessed support from the local authority. The childminder communicates well with parents regarding children's routines and individual requirements. This enables her to offer them continuity of care and meet their individual needs. However, there is limited sharing of information regarding children's learning and development which means parents are not fully involved in their children's learning. The childminder works in the other setting which children attend, which means she is fully aware of what activities and learning opportunities children have taken part in and this ensures consistency in their learning.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are developing their confidence and self-esteem through appropriate interaction with the childminder. She plans activities around children's interests and is flexible when children initiate their own play. For example, during a sticking activity children decide they would rather look at their photographs of themselves in their books. The childminder helps them to re-call past events which challenges their memory and promotes their imagination. Children develop their problem solving skills as they take part in the role play activities. They help themselves to tins of food from low level kitchen cupboards to use in their shop. Children are developing their pre-writing skills as they make patterns using their fingers with paints on paper and in the sand. Older children are able to trace their names and write a few letters of their name without

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

any support. Children use a wide range of collage materials to create pictures which are kept in their folders and also sent home to share with their parents. They are learning about the wider world as they access toys and resources which reflect diversity and talk about festivals. Children are provided with a wide range of activities, however, the childminder is not certain how she can use these most effectively to enable children to make maximum progress in the six areas of learning. She has started to make observations, but is not using these fully to plan the next steps in children's learning.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from good relationships between the childminder, parents and other settings such as the pre-schools which promotes their development. Parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive basic daily verbal communication on their children's day, however more detailed information on their learning and development is not available. Children are well behaved and encouraged to work together and show care and consideration for others. They enjoy a healthy well-balanced diet, which includes fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. Older children independently help themselves to water whilst younger children are provided with individual beakers to ensure they do not get thirsty. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring children are kept safe at all times. Children learn about keeping safe as they follow the emergency evacuation procedure when the smoke alarm is activated. They also learn about

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

crossing the road safely whilst on outings in their community. Secure systems, such as a signing in system for visitors ensure there is no unauthorised access to the home, which promotes children's safety and welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8