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 EY248289 Inspection date 24/03/2009 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 was registered in 2003 and works with assistants. She lives with her three adult children and two children, aged 15 and 14 years. They live in a residential home situated in the Hall Green area of Birmingham. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, daycare settings and schools within walking distance. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and daycare settings. Children are taken on local visits and outings.

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Description of the childminding

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with bathroom and toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

She is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently six children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has achieved the National Childminding Association (NCMA) Quality First quality assurance award and is also part of the Birmingham Inclusion scheme.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare is successfully promoted in a safe, friendly and homely environment. Their learning and development is well supported as the childminder ensures that they have access to a wide range of stimulating and interesting planned and spontaneous activities. All children are equally valued and respected and benefit from care that is tailored to meet their individual needs, promoting inclusion at all times. There are effective partnerships with parents and carers as the childminder ensures they are kept fully informed of their children’s care arrangements. The self-evaluation system is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure the childminder is able to make continuous improvements in all areas.

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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 further to ensure priorities for making improvements in all areas are identified and implemented.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make sure that the risk assessment includes all indoor areas, outdoor areas and each type of outing, and 30/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Suitable premises, environment and equipment).

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provision

Children's care is enhanced because of the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop. She has completed a Level 1 qualification in childcare and is currently working towards a Level 3 qualification. The childminder is very experienced and committed to developing her knowledge by attending appropriate training events. She has started using a self- evaluation system which identifies the main strengths and some areas for making improvements. However, this is still in it’s infancy and does not prioritise key areas for developing the provision to ensure continuous improvements are made. The effective partnership with parents and carers plays a key part in providing high quality care and education for individual children. The childminder is aware of the importance of involving parents and carers in the care of their children and constantly consults with them, ensuring they are kept fully informed of how their

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provision

Inclusive practice is promoted well as the childminder encourages children's positive self-esteem and respects all children's backgrounds and any specific needs. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included in all activities and play. These are tailored to meet their individual stages of learning to ensure they are able to take part and develop at their own pace. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has completed Safeguarding Children awareness training and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. They are cared for in a safe and secure environment and benefit from opportunities to freely move between the available play spaces. The childminder ensures children's safety as she conducts visual risk assessment checks before the children arrive and also periodically throughout the day. However, there are no records maintained of aspects identified in the risk

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provision

assessments. The childminder has developed appropriate written policies and procedures which are shared with all the parents and carers. She has effective systems for gathering relevant information from parents and carers when children first start to ensure individual children’s routines are adhered to.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and cared for in a calm and stimulating environment. They are polite, well-behaved and learn to share and take turns. The childminder provides children with positive praise and encouragement in everything they do. Children are progressing well in their learning and development as they benefit from an exciting range of activities which are specifically planned to ensure individual children’s preferences and needs are fully catered for. The childminder records observations and plans for the next steps in children's individual development following the EYFS guidance. As a result, children are actively This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 engaged in meaningfully play, which helps them to progress in all the areas of learning. Children’s independence is developed and nurtured as they confidently make decisions about what they would like to play with. They are encouraged to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

carry out tasks for themselves, such as putting on their coats and shoes in preparation for outdoor play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to appropriate resources and activities which promote positive images of diversity. The childminder successfully uses everyday routines and activities to ensure children are provided with many opportunities to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these, to help them learn to value aspects of their own and other people’s lives. Children have many opportunities to explore and investigate, extend their imagination and problem solving skills. For example, they are encouraged to recognise shapes, colours and numbers when they use the shape sorting toys. Children of all ages relish joining in with art and craft activities using various materials, for instance, when they print with paint to create colourful pictures. They have regular access to communication, information and technology equipment, such as using interactive musical toys. Their language skills are developed through relaxed conversation with the childminder and their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

peers, as well as their love of books. They enjoy joining in with some of their favourite stories, pointing to the pictures and characters whilst discussing what is happening in the stories. The childminder skilfully uses appropriate questioning techniques to encourage children to think about what is happening in the story, making sure every child is able to join in at their own level of understanding.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health and well-being are promoted well as all children have daily opportunities for physical indoor and outdoor activities. They enjoy using the various age-appropriate play equipment to develop their physical skills in the outdoor fresh air. They also enjoy joining in with indoor physical activities, such as singing and dancing along to some of their favourite nursery rhymes. Children are provided with a variety of freshly prepared healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which are planned to ensure any special dietary needs are catered for. They learn the importance of good hygiene through effective hand washing practice and the childminder has good procedures in place to ensure the spread of infection is minimised. Children are kept safe as the childminder ensures they are supervised at all times and discussions are held about how they can keep themselves safe. 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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