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 EY301257 Inspection date 01/10/2008 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four years in the Moseley area of Birmingham. The whole ground floor and upstairs bedroom and bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time. There are currently 11 children aged from one to nine years on roll of which seven are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Registers. The childminder takes children to pre-school groups within the community and is currently working towards her accreditation to take children in receipt of funding for early years education.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a well organised and very stimulating environment for young children and competently supports them in their learning and development through the Early Years Foundation Stage. She offers a well balanced programme which encourages children's curiosity, independence and interest and includes them appropriately according to their individual needs. The childminder has good relationships with parents and involves them effectively in their children's learning. She undertakes a range of courses to promote her professional development and to help continually improve outcomes for children. She plans activities for children to cover all areas and uses observation and assessment procedures to monitor their development although the information about their initial capabilities is not yet fully developed.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 review the risk assessment in relation to outings, the outside drain and access to the second floor  develop the assessment arrangments for children with regard to their starting points.

p.3

provision

The childminder maintains all required documentation for the safe and efficient management of her childminding business. She has compiled a very comprehensive set of policies which support her practice well and has most recently added one on inclusion. She attends various courses to enhance her professional skills and uses these to improve experiences for children such as the creation of the role play/relaxing space under the stairs after attending a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 'Communication friendly spaces' course. She uses her quality accreditation and parents' comments to help her evaluate her own practice and is actively planning for improvements such as a children's growing area in the garden. The childminder plans each day to provide many different experiences for children both inside and out and creates a rich learning environment for children to explore freely and make

p.3

provision

their own play choices. She monitors and records children's progress effectively and links this into plans for their next steps.

p.4

provision

The childminder has an open and friendly partnership with parents and actively seeks their views on their children's care and development. Daily discussion with parents ensures they are well informed about their children's progress and that their changing needs are appropriately met. Most important information is taken from parents such as personal details and consents although this does not include much about their initial capabilities. The childminder has many attractive items of children's work and photos of their activities on display to show what they have done. She involves parents in their children's learning by sharing their daily diary and carefully discussing aspects of their development so they can consistently support them towards their individual goals. She has links with other pre-school groups and the local school where she takes children.

p.4

provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded well as the childminder provides a safe and healthy environment for children and encourages them to develop their own understanding through discussion and play. There is a range of appropriate safety equipment in place to protect children and the childminder carries out risks assessments which generally identify most potential dangers. She has a clear awareness of her role and responsibilities as regards child protection and shares this and other policies, such as action to take in an emergency, with parents. She is aware of her responsibility to supervise children carefully around other adults and to keep Ofsted informed of any significant changes.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is constantly promoted by the childminder who creates an exciting child-orientated space and provides a warm and welcoming environment. She shows an excellent understanding of how young children learn and a strong commitment to including and supporting all children. This means children thrive in her care and confidently access the wide range of play and learning opportunities available. The childminder promotes children's health through encouraging daily routines such as hand washing and offers a very healthy and varied diet with access to drinks at all times. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they learn to descend the steps slowly or walk carefully when near the road. They have regular outdoor play to promote their physical skills as well as enjoying other activities such as sand play.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children move confidently around the room space engaging in their chosen activity as resources are stored at low levels to support independent play and carefully chosen to meet their individual needs. Children's behaviour is good as the childminder values their preferences, encourages their choices and involves them in all aspects of the daily programme through lots of positive conversation. She offers This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them regular praise and encouragement which develops their self-esteem whilst also providing appropriate guidelines which have been formulated with the help of the older children. Opportunities for independence and involvement helps the children to learn how to play harmoniously together and to develop their social skills such as sharing and taking turns. The environment has been brightly decorated with many displays of children's creations such as cardboard robots and a large mural.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans an exciting and varied programme which covers all areas of learning and offers a very good balance of child-led and adult-supported play both inside and out. She effectively observes and monitors each child and uses this to reflect on their individual development to ensure they are making progress and to identify the next steps in their learning.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop their sensory skills as they explore different fabrics displayed around and make imaginative creations from a wide selection of materials. They independently make music with the kitchen pans or relax in the cosy area under the stairs. The childminder values children's ideas, for example, changing the under stairs to a dark den and providing torches for children to experiment with shadows and light and dark. Children enjoy stories which they share with the childminder or select independently from the book corner. They develop their imagination and language as they are prompted by the childminder's questions or encouraged to formulate sounds and letters according to their individual starting points. Children are beginning to value diversity and the wider world through a range of resources and learn about their local community as they visit the park and shops or go on outings where they enjoy, for example, the monster display at the art gallery.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

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

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding

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

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

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