Childminder in BirminghamOfsted inspection, 22 Apr 2009

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

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Unique reference number EY294452 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 2004. She lives with her adult son and a child aged 12 years in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham. The house is close to local shops, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the front entrance of her home is via a low step. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for one child within the early years age range but cares for several older children that attend before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder has suitable systems in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the family has a hamster.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Children's welfare and safety is compromised because the childminder has failed to comply with some of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Limited progress has been made since the last inspection and there are no procedures in place to evaluate her strengths and weaknesses in order to maintain continuous improvement. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and have access to a wide variety of good quality toys and resources. All children are welcomed and valued and a good relationship is in place with parents, however, little is done to actively engage with parents to help children reach their full potential.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 provide evidence that a person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare; also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 06/05/2009  ensure that outings are fully risk assessed (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 29/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; this specifically refers to ensuring an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and following the guidance set out in the publication 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused- Summary' (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 20/05/2009  conduct an effective risk assessment that identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these

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further?

checks and when and by whom they have been checked (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 06/05/2009  improve knowledge and understanding of the EYFS in order to provide children with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning 03/06/2009  undertake sensitive observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs ( Organisation) 06/05/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 engage in reflective practice to ensure that quality improvement is a continuous process.

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provision

The organisation of the provision is inadequate. The childminder has a very poor knowledge of the EYFS and as a result has not met some of the requirements. She has not kept up-to-date with changes in legislation and recommendations made at the last inspection have not been effectively addressed. The childminder is aware of some of her strengths and weaknesses but has no system in place to evaluate her own practice and this means that areas for improvement are not effectively identified or addressed. Most required documentation is maintained and Ofsted training requirements are met. However, the childminder is unable to provide evidence of recent paediatric first aid training as she has mislaid her certificate.

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provision

Children receive a good level of supervision and space and resources are organised appropriately. The childminder visually checks her home and equipment on a daily basis and ensures that all resources are appropriate to children's individual ages and stage of development. However, children's safety is not assured because she has yet to effectively conduct and record her risk assessment and potential hazards to children whilst on outings have not been fully considered. The childminder is generally aware of her role and responsibilities with regards to reporting any child protection concerns. However, she does not have the latest information regarding Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and she does not routinely record This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information regarding any existing injuries that children may have on arrival into her care. Consequently, children, along with the childminder and her family, are

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provision

The childminder maintains a friendly and informal relationship with the parents of minded children. Several parents have provided the childminder with a reference and positive comments include those in relation to how happy their children are in her care and her caring and patient nature. The majority of information exchanged between the childminder and parents is done so verbally and only limited information is gained to help assess children's starting points and to support their continual learning and development. Children take home examples of artwork they have created in the childminder's care and various notices about the childminder's home provide parents with additional information, for example, about the daily menu and fire procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is not aware of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS and as a result children are not being sufficiently supported and/or challenged to reach their full potential. The childminder does not plan experiences for the children and she does not observe and assess their progress. She lacks confidence in her ability to plan, observe and assess effectively and tends to decide on the day what she will do with the children depending on, for example, the weather and what children want to do. She generally talks to parents about what their children know and can do but she does not effectively use or gather this information to find out where children are in their learning and development and where they need to move on to next. She is able to identify children's likes and personalities and she provides them with a general range of experiences. However, there is no system in place to ensure that these experiences promote children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning in all areas or to ensure that they meet children's individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled in a warm and homely environment. The childminder adopts a calm, sensitive approach with the children and they happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support. She gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play; she asks them questions and encourages them to participate and this suitably supports their development into active and inquisitive learners. Children receive plenty of praise for their achievement, effort and good behaviour and this helps to raise their self-esteem and make them feel valued. Children have an active social life and throughout the week are provided with a range of opportunities to mix with a variety of adults and children. For example, they attend community groups, visit soft play facilities, feed the ducks at the local park and go to the library. As a result, children's social and physical skills are developing and they are learning about the wider community and experiencing nature.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's home is very clean and tidy and space and resources are suitably organised to encourage children to make some independent choices about their play. A general selection of resources is stored within a large storage unit in the main playroom and others are stored in various places around the childminder's home. Children are made aware of safety issues and gentle This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reminders from the childminder ensure that older children are aware of the potential risks to younger children posed by toys with small parts. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder provides most food for minded children and she takes care to ensure that sugary foods are kept to a minimum. Menus are displayed and thoughtfully planned to include plenty of fruit and vegetables. She carefully liaises with parents to ensure that food given to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children meets their dietary needs and requirements. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 4 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 4 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?

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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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 29/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 06/05/2009

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