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 227622 Inspection date 09/02/2009 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 1996. She lives with her mother who is her assistant and two adult daughters. They live in Kings Heath in Birmingham close to local shops, schools and park. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as a bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. Access to the house is via one small step at the front and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently looking after five children, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register as well as both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends several different toddler groups and also takes and collects children from the local school.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed and well cared for in a safe and secure family environment where their learning and development is effectively promoted by a childminder who shows a sound understanding of most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). All practice is inclusive and children's needs are well meet through a very good partnership with parents and the childminder's own knowledge of them as individuals. The childminder has good links with other pre-school groups and regularly takes children out into the wider community. She shows a good commitment to extending her knowledge and practice through attending a range of different courses. She routinely consults with parents and is using effective systems to evaluate her practice which she acts on to improve outcomes for children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 review the procedures for promoting the good health of children, particularly in relation to nappy changing  continue to develop observational assessments in order to plan for children's individual needs and ensure they achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and individual capabilities.

p.3

provision

All required documentation for the safe and efficient organisation of the childminding business is in place and is very well maintained. The childminder has compiled a comprehensive set of policies and procedures which support her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice well and which she shares very effectively with parents and carers. She attends a variety of courses to keep her knowledge and practice up-to-date and shows a sound understanding of the care, learning and development requirements. She works together with her mother as her assistant which benefits the children by providing them with additional care and attention. She is aware of the impact of certain welfare requirements and is reviewing her organisation in respect of this, for example, as regards allowing an assistant sole care. She seeks the views of both parents and carers and children and has effectively used the Ofsted self-

p.3

provision

evaluation form to assess her practice, already putting into operation some areas of development this has highlighted.

p.4

provision

The childminder has an open and friendly partnership with parents and carers which works most effectively to provide a fully supportive service for all children. She encourages an easy settling-in period and takes all appropriate information from parents about their children so she is aware of any individual needs such as dietary requirements. The parents receive very good written information about her childminding business through the prospectus and comprehensive parents folder. They are fully involved in their child's care and learning through helpful discussion with the childminder and the sharing of the daily diary and photos and examples of their work. The childminder has good links with other pre-school groups and uses these connections to keep herself well informed and to share good practice.

p.4

provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder is constantly alert to any potential hazards and checks daily to ensure that all areas used by the children and all equipment are safe and suitable. She has a very comprehensive risk assessment which, for example, covers all the different outings in her 'out and about policy' and she also completes regular written checks. She is fully aware of the need to safeguard children at all times and is vigilant at supervising them when out and about or in the company of unknown adults. She clearly understands the purpose of such procedures as safe collection and knows to inform Ofsted of any changes to the household. She has a very clear understanding of her role and responsibility to protect children from harm or neglect and how to pass on significant concerns appropriately which she shares clearly with parents. She has attended recent training in this area to further heighten her awareness.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very content and well occupied in a stimulating and child-orientated home where the childminder is experienced at caring for young children and is developing a sound understanding of the EYFS. Children make very good relationships with the adults who care for them who are attentive and receptive to them. They are learning to behave well in a positive environment where social skills such as good manners are encouraged and where they receive lots of individual attention and praise. This means they feel valued and settle well. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they are encouraged to play and eat sensibly and to clear away toys to prevent them becoming a tripping hazard. They are constantly made aware of the importance of walking safely near traffic and understand the danger of fire and how to evacuate safely through discussion and by carrying out regular evacuations. Children are given healthy snacks like

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fresh fruit and have free access to drinks at all times so they keep hydrated. They are learning to carry out daily routines which promote their health such as washing hands and blowing noses. Children have lots of fresh air activities in the garden and park or on daily walks and use a variety of equipment to promote their physical skills and co-ordination.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in an inviting environment where they have easy access to an excellent range of resources which promote their development in all areas. The childminder plans her day to ensure that all areas of learning are covered which sometimes links to certain topics but is always flexible around children's individual needs. Children have a good balance of free choice and more adult-led activities which means they are learning to initiate their own play. Children are learning to play well together and share toys as they respond to the guidelines and develop their own self-esteem as they receive lots of attention and praise. Children are beginning to develop their language and share events from home through relaxed discussion with the adults. They enjoy a range of craft activities and learn about shapes and colours as they share in puzzles or colour in pictures or freely make their own designs. The childminder maximises opportunities throughout the daily

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

routine to extend their learning through discussion and sensitive questioning, for example, asking them to remember what they saw on the way to school as they make aeroplanes with the building blocks. Children are learning about the wider world through discussion and activities around different celebrations and through access to a wide range of resources reflecting diversity. They routinely attend different pre-school groups where they develop their play and social experiences and also enjoy special trips to such places as Stratford and the 'Think-tank', sometimes travelling on public transport.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is confidently able to adapt play activities to include children's varying abilities and, for example, effectively uses a particular preference such as Thomas the Tank engine to help develop their colour and number recognition. She knows the children well through her own observations and good liaison with parents and uses photos and examples of their work to show what they have done. She is now collecting these together with her own comments and check list and linking them to the areas of development to ensure children have a breadth of opportunity and are making progress. However, the observations do not yet fully inform the planning or identify the next steps in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 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?

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