Childminder in BirminghamOfsted inspection, 26 Feb 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 228652 Inspection date 26/02/2009 Inspector Jackie Nation

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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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her two adult children. They live in the Aston area of Birmingham. The premises are easily accessible. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. First floor rooms are not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder's home is within walking distance of schools, parks and shops. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding two children who are within the early years age range. She also provides care for children attending before and after school, although currently she has no children in this age range on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a member of the 'Children Come First' network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder who provides many opportunities for them to learn and develop in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder recognises each child’s uniqueness and she has developed a trusting and caring relationship with them. Inclusive practice is promoted and effective links with parents and other professionals ensures children's needs are met. The childminder shows a capacity to maintain continuous improvement, although the system for self-evaluation is new and has yet to be consolidated.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation system to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision and ensure continuous improvement.

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provision

The childminder is focussed on helping all children make good progress in their learning, development and welfare. Children are relaxed and comfortable within the home, where they have access to a good range of resources. Effective records are maintained with regards to the children's attendance, medication and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accidents. These records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. The childminder implements a range of policies and procedures which support all aspects of children's well-being and safety. Children's safety is promoted well and the care environment is safe and secure. The childminder supervises the children well and has conducted risk assessments of her home, garden and for all outings taken with the children. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The

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provision

written child protection policy is shared with parents. Vetting procedures for all adults in the household are robust and this ensures children are protected.

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provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service and welcomes all children into her care. She is part of an inclusion project to help children with specific needs. Good systems are in place to work with other professionals where additional needs are identified. Partnership with parents is good. A good range of information is obtained from parents at the start of the childminding arrangements and is used by the childminder to plan and provide care and learning that meets children's individual needs and interests. Parents are kept informed about their children's achievements. There is an effective two-way flow of information and the childminder provides parents with written feedback each day about their care routines and activities. Useful information is also displayed on a notice board and parents are aware of how to contact Ofsted if they have any concerns about the provision. The childminder seeks the views of parents and children with regards to

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provision

her provision and parents speak positively about the service provided. The childminder undertakes training to enhance her knowledge of childcare practice, she is currently completing a childcare qualification and she is a member of an accredited childminding network. The childminder has successfully completed the recommendations from the last inspection to promote improvement. However, the systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the provision are not yet fully in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder’s home. The childminder’s interaction with the children is good, they develop close and caring relationships with her and enjoy time when they sit on her lap and have a cuddle, for example, when the childminder reads a story. The childminder is aware of children’s interests, characteristics and play preferences. Planning and assessment systems have been introduced and children's progress and attainment is recorded and shared with parents. Children explore the local community and develop their understanding about the wider society. Resources including dolls, books and play figures reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. The childminder ensures children have equal access to the toys and resources available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The range of activities provided ensures that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across all areas of learning. Children are able to make choices about the toys and resources they would like to play with. Children are active learners and enjoy a wide range of activities both in and out of the home. They regularly go out into the local community, visit the park, playgroup, nature centre and library. This helps develop their social skills and confidence. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical skills are developing well as they play with a wide range of equipment such as slides, climbing frame, bikes and balls. They also have opportunities indoors to play throw and catch games. This good combination of resources helps to promote their physical skills and coordination. Children's understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy is developed through everyday activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They talk about numbers, shape, size and colour during their play. Children sort and match by colour and sing number songs. The childminder is actively involved with children as they play. She talks to them enthusiastically as they try to fit a puzzle together and supports them as they work out where the shapes fit on the shape sorter. There are good opportunities to play imaginatively with a range of dressing-up clothes, play kitchen, garage and cars. The childminder often gives children large cardboard boxes to play with and they devise their own games, for example, hide and seek. Children like to paint, manipulate play dough and use scissors and glue sticks during art and craft activities. Children explore and investigate how things work, they use a range of electronic toys, cash tills and telephones.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and appropriate behaviour are encouraged by the childminder, for example, sharing and consideration of others. Children's health and well-being is effectively supported as the childminder ascertains relevant information relating to their individual dietary needs and parents' preferences. Healthy eating is encouraged and children are provided with well-balanced meals, snacks and regular drinks. Good procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection, including effective procedures for nappy changing, hand washing at appropriate times and the exclusion of sick children. Children's awareness of keeping themselves safe is developed through discussions about road safety whilst on outings and through procedures within the home such as fire evacuation drills. 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? 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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