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

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Unique reference number 504592 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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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 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.

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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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband. They live in a house in Rednal in Birmingham. The house is close to local shops and schools and is accessible by bus. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as a first floor bathroom. There is a step to both entrances to the house and stairs to the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and children go on local walks and outings.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She 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. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She works regularly with assistants, including her husband. The family has no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are effectively supported by the childminder and her assistants and enjoy a varied programme of rewarding activities. A strength of the setting is the childminder's effective partnership with parents and the other settings children attend. This ensures each child's care and learning needs are understood and successfully supported so they are valued and fully included. In general the childminder effectively monitors and evaluates her childminding, except she was unable to access first aid training until after her certificate expired. In other respects children benefit from her commitment to providing good quality childminding as demonstrated by her attendance at good practice sessions, the improvements she has made to her home, and the way she has addressed other recommendations from the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare; also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 24/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are contented and settled in the childminder's welcoming, comfortable home. They have good support from the childminder and her assistant who ensure sessions run smoothly, allowing time for children to enjoy activities and ensuring routines are relaxed and well-managed so that they are rested, well fed and comfortable.

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provision

Overall children are generally effectively safeguarded. However, the childminder was not able to access required first aid training before her last certificate expired, potentially compromising children's well-being. She has now started this training. In other respects the childminder has effective health and hygiene procedures which ensure the risks of cross infection are minimised. Parents have given their consent to the childminder seeking emergency medical advice and treatment for their child, she has suitable first aid materials and ensures children have prompt, appropriate treatment, in line with their parents' wishes, if they have an accident, are unwell or need medication.

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provision

Other safeguarding measures are robust. The childminder and her assistant understand their responsibilities to protect children from harm. Parents also understand the childminder's role because they are given copies of local safeguarding procedures. All required agreements and information are obtained about children and their families. This enables the childminder to fully understand each child's care and learning needs, so that she knows who has parental responsibility and legal access to each child. Children's safety is promoted well. Risk assessments and regular checks ensure her home is safe, secure and free from hazards, that outings are well organised and toys and equipment are well maintained.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and others are valued and are successful. Parents are well informed about how the childminder operates. She makes sure they are reassured about her experience, training and the suitability of herself and her assistants. From the outset she ensures parents know about the range of activities and experiences offered to children. For example, new parents are encouraged to visit the childminder and to accompany her to one of the toddler groups she takes children to. She encourages parents to give her as much information about their child's interests and abilities as they can, so she can offer familiar activities to help new children settle and to build on their skills. She also effectively works with other settings children attend, for instance following up activities at home to consolidate children's learning at nursery and school.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's generally effective monitoring and evaluation of her provision, leading to her addressing priorities for improvement. Apart from delays in attending first aid training, she has accessed other courses to help her successfully meet Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and to support children's communication skills. Children's health and hygiene have been enhanced by improvements to her home. An inviting new ground floor toilet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages children's independence in seeing to their personal care, and the well- equipped, refurbished garden area is used in all weathers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy learning. Their choices and interests are encouraged and are reflected in the activities the childminder provides. Children benefit from the childminder and assistant's warm rapport and involvement in their play. The adults ensure learning is relaxed and fun and provide stimulating, age-appropriate toys and resources. Children are interested and concentrate well because of the childminder’s involvement, and the way she adeptly consolidates and extends their understanding through questions, prompts and explanations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress because the childminder knows each child well. From the outset parents are encouraged to provide information about their child and these details and the childminder’s initial observations help her to identify each child’s starting points. Thereafter, the childminder and parents regularly exchange information about children's activities, routines and achievements. The childminder is beginning to identify children’s learning priorities but this is not always consistent, or it is not clear how identified next steps have been addressed. In other respects she ably ensures children develop at their pace in all areas of learning. Children have suitable challenges because the childminder offers them varied, rewarding activities. She adapts her approaches to cater for each child's level of skill and is confident to support those who have additional needs or who speak English as an additional language.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active learners. Their understanding of shape, colour, number and size are fostered in practical ways, for example, by matching picture cards, searching for various shapes or by carefully counting different toys or items. Children explore materials such as sand, water and dough, and a good selection of toys help them to discover how things work or fix together. For example, babies love to investigate toys which make a range of sounds, include different textures and have parts they can lift up, twist or press.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop good life skills. They are articulate, confident speakers, with the childminder encouraging and extending their conversations and vocabulary. Children think critically, responding to the childminder and assistant’s questions. Children behave well. They are encouraged to play together, to share, take turns and be helpful. Children develop positive attitudes towards aspects of diversity through meaningful discussions and activities. They also behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others, developing an awareness of dangers, for instance when the childminder talks to them about road safety. Children understand about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They know why it is important to wash their hands properly, enjoy regular physical exercise and make healthy choices about what they eat and drink. 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? 2 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 24/03/2009  obtain the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises, the name, home address and telephone number of a parent/guardian/carer of each child who is looked after on the premises (Records to be kept). 24/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 24/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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.

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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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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.

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