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 227602 Inspection date 04/03/2009 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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 registered in 1976. She lives in Kings Heath in Birmingham close to the local shops, park and schools. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is a long, fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access is via a small step at the front of the house. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently looking after one child who is in the early years age range and three children who are over eight years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a cat, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to other pre-school groups and on trips into the local and wider community. The childminder has an appropriate Level 3 childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has many years experience of looking after children and provides a welcoming environment with many different play and learning experiences for them. She has attended a range of training over the years to keep her practice up-to-date and is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows children well through her own observations and provides an inclusive service. Partnership with parents works well and the childminder has some links with other early years settings. However, systems for regularly evaluating her own practice to identify areas for continuous improvement are not yet fully in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation and assessment arrangements to ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and individual capabilities  develop further systems of self-evaluation to ensure that quality improvement is a continuous process  ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact; this specifically relates to outings and car collections by other adults.

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provision

The childminder is well established in her childminding and organises her day effectively around the individual routines of children to provide them with many This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different experiences both in and out of the home. All required documentation is in place and well maintained and she has collected together all her policies and procedures to share with parents and these generally support her practice well. She has attended a range of courses to support her professional development and encourages an open dialogue with parents. However, she has not yet established a regular system for monitoring her provision and identifying areas for improvement.

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provision

Partnership with parents is strong and all appropriate details about children's individual needs and routines are shared from the start. The childminder has collected together in her portfolio useful information about her childminding business and her policies and procedures. Regular daily discussion takes place with parents about the children's day and many photos and a daily diary are shared along with work taken home to ensure parents are kept involved in what their children have been doing. The childminder has links with other childminders and takes children to other early years settings in the area.

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provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder is alert to potential risks and has taken appropriate action to protect children from these. She ensures her equipment is well maintained and carries out regular visual checks as well as having a written risk assessment which covers most relevant elements. She is fully aware of supervising children well in the company of other adults and has all the appropriate procedures to keep them safe at all times, such as safe collection. She has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility as regards protecting children from possible neglect or abuse and how to pass these concerns on appropriately.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very content in the childminder's care, where their welfare, learning and development are well promoted. They have many opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and develop their physical skills as the childminder encourages regular outdoor play throughout the year. Children are learning to carry out routines which promote their health, such as hand washing before meals and after handling pets and know clearly that smoking is not healthy. They understand how to keep themselves safe as they respond to the guidelines from the childminder such as walking safely near traffic and accept differences in their abilities and understand, for example, that sitting at the breakfast bar is only for the older children. Children meet with different children and adults at other groups or enjoy exciting trips out. They are developing their social awareness of the wider world as they talk about topical events and engage in activities around recycling or fund-raising.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is good as the childminder gives them lots of time and attention, engaging them in conversation, seeking their views and offering regular praise and encouragement. This helps them feel valued and develops their self- confidence so they talk confidently to others and formulate their own opinions. They are learning to play well together and to share toys and the older ones are encouraged to help the younger ones. Children benefit from opportunities to mix socially and to show concern and understanding for the needs of others in their community and the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enter confidently into the childminder's house where they know the routine well and happily select from the range of toys available, which appropriately supports their differing abilities. The day is flexibly planned around children's individual routines and offers frequent opportunities for outdoor play and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

trips into the community. There is a good balance of children's choice and adult supported activities and children have many opportunities to develop their creativity through interesting craft activities or appreciate their wonder of nature as they plant bulbs and seeds and watch them grow. The childminder is aware of the different preferences and abilities of individual children and therefore uses the daily routines to extend these, for example, counting while they skip or encouraging mark-making and early writing for the older ones. The childminder constantly observes children and gets to know them well from discussion with them and their parents. She records their activities through many photographs and items of work and also through keeping a daily diary, although her current systems for using these to effectively monitor and plan for children's next steps are not yet fully developed. 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? 3 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? 2

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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: Met

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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

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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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