Childminder in BirminghamOfsted inspection, 11 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 227612 Inspection date 11/02/2009 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 1998. She lives in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham with her two adult daughters and her son aged 13. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. Access is via one small step at the front of the house. 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 nine children, of whom four are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to other pre-school groups and takes and collects from the local school. 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. Children are welcomed into a safe, family home and thrive in this stimulating environment where their care, learning and development is well promoted. All practice is inclusive and children's needs are well met through a very good partnership with parents and the childminder's own knowledge of them as individuals. The childminder shows a good commitment to developing her knowledge and practice through attending a range of relevant courses. She has effective systems in place to evaluate her provision and has good links with other early years settings which she uses to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop observational assessments in order to plan for children's individual needs so they achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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provision

There is a very good selection of documentation to support the efficient management of the childminding service which is well maintained and shared well with parents. The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification and has attended a wide range of courses to support her professional development. She has effectively used the Ofsted self-evaluation form to review her service and has put into place the additional elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She regularly consults with parents and also uses questionnaires.

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provision

Partnership with parents is very good and the childminder provides a comprehensive range of useful information from the beginning. She is always This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussing the children with parents and provides them with lots of evidence of what they have done, such as photos, scrap books of their work and crafts taken proudly home. She uses a daily diary to give good information about the child's day, including progress they have made and parents also include their own comments. This two-way flow of information helps support the children well. She also works closely with parents to meet any additional health needs. The childminder has good links with other pre-school settings and has been pro-active in encouraging those with the nursery to ensure she has knowledge of their early years programme so she can engage and support children appropriately.

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provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where hazards have been well addressed and children are encouraged to be aware of their own safety which helps them develop a sense of personal responsibility. The childminder is alert to any dangers and carries out a thorough risk assessment which is regularly reviewed and incorporates any new potential dangers such as road work in the immediate area. She has in place all the necessary procedures to ensure children are kept safe such as safe collection and fire evaluation. Children are well safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to protect them from harm or neglect and how to pass on any significant concerns appropriately. She has attended training in this area to heighten her awareness.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of how young children learn and provides an environment where their welfare and development is well promoted. She organises her day around the children's routines and supports their enjoyment and learning through her own commitment, enthusiasm and instinctive delight in watching their progress. Children's behaviour is very good as they feel valued through the attention and praise they receive whilst also being encouraged to recognise feelings and therefore learning to be considerate of others. They are confident and sociable and engage easily in conversation. They enjoy a good variety of healthy home-cooked meals and learn why they need to carry out daily routines like hand-washing to promote their health. Children have lots of opportunities to engage in physical play in the fresh air through walks in the local community and enjoy a range of activities in the garden. They respond well to the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

guidelines to keep themselves safe as they regularly discuss things like road safety and practise how to evacuate safely in the event of a fire.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are enthusiastic and eager to engage and benefit from being part of a stimulating environment where the childminder constantly encourages their learning, naturally incorporating it into everyday routines and discussions. There is a good balance of free play and more structured activities and children enjoy a variety of creative sessions as they, for example, make cards, biscuits and mobiles for Valentine's Day while being encouraged to talk about people they care for. They learn about the wider world as they share activities around Chinese New Year and look at the world map, discuss where countries are and their different sizes and then colour in the flag. Children are very responsive and want to learn as they are fully involved in the daily routine. They help make the calendar and recognise This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with pride their own contributions. Numeracy and letter recognition is brought

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

naturally into everyday talk and made fun. For example, the letter of the week is re-enforced through games of 'I spy' as they walk to school or sit at the table. Children also have further social and learning experiences as they visit the library or attend different pre-school groups within the community.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The day is flexibly planned around children's choices, natural spontaneity and curiosity and includes some topics, such as transport, which the childminder successfully links to different play opportunities. She knows her children well and marvels in their development. She collects many photos and examples of their work and has started to include her comments and show the links to the different areas of learning. She is always aware of how the children are engaging and developing but she is now beginning to carry out more formal observations of activities and to evaluate these with some links to progress. 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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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