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 227538 Inspection date 07/05/2009 Inspector Christine Lynn Williams

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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 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 2000. She lives with an adult child in a residential area of Harbourne, Birmingham. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The garden area is not currently available for use by children and so regular outdoor play is offered at local parks. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group who attend part- time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 15 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Access to the childminder's home is over a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and nursery and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She holds a recognised childcare qualification, is part of the local inclusion project and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive in the friendly and well- organised atmosphere of the childminder's home. She provides individual attention and support to each child so that they make good progress in their learning and development and are kept safe and healthy. The childminder liaises with parents and others well and is responsive to the needs of both children and their families. Regular training and a proactive approach to improving her knowledge has provided the basis for effective practice, although both the arrangements for planning children’s next steps and for making improvements to the setting have yet to fully mature.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the assessment arrangements to clearly show children's next steps in their learning so that learning priorities can be shared with parents and used to help support children's learning at home  extend self-evaluation methods to clearly identify the priorities for continual improvements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is effective in ensuring that the organisation of her childminding service promotes positive outcomes for children. She is well-qualified, experienced and shows a clear commitment to improving her knowledge and understanding through training, sharing good practice and proactively seeking out advice and guidance. Good progress has been made since the last inspection and this reflects the childminder's commitment to making continual improvements to her practice through training and improving her knowledge of current early childhood initiatives. She shows an understanding of the evaluation process, although this is still under development.

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provision

The childminder provides a family friendly service, is flexible and so is able to meet the childcare needs of a variety of parents. She values children’s thoughts, contributions and creations and this ensures children’s confidence and self-esteem are promoted well. She has received training on inclusion, has experience of meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties and is part of a local scheme designed to help support a variety of families. The childminder ensures that all children's needs are met effectively and that they have a positive attitude to others. Playthings reflect children’s local community and include positive images of a diverse culture, and the childminder recognises and supports the different learning styles of boys and girls. She takes particular care to gather detailed information about children’s families so that she can talk to them about the important people in their lives.

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provision

Children’s welfare is promoted well, with good attention given to their safety, health and overall well-being. She understands her role in child protection, has received up-to-date training and is able to put effective procedures into practice when necessary. Children are well-supervised at all times and the childminder is diligent in ensuring she maintains good levels of hygiene throughout the home. Children benefit from the warm welcome given to their families and the close relationships developed. She keeps parents updated on how their children are cared for and what they achieve each day and shares information with them to promote parents’ understanding and involvement. The combination of daily discussions and individual 'Learning Journey' folders for each child are used well to promote positive exchanges of information about children, and close links are built with local schools and pre-schools so that there is a shared understanding about

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provision

children’s needs and progress. Clear policies and procedures have been developed to promote children’s health, safety and enjoyment and these are effectively put into practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and are sociable and well settled. They benefit greatly from the childminder’s early years training, commitment and enthusiasm and the individual support they receive. A well-developed knowledge of each child’s individual needs ensures that the childminder promotes most aspects of children’s learning well. She gains lots of information about children before they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 start at the setting and adds to this so that she has a clear picture about the child, their personality and what they can do. The childminder is observant and notes progress, recognising when a child masters a new skill and encouraging children to be proud of what they do. Attractive 'Learning Journeys' are produced for each child and these are used effectively to show the progress children are making. However, children’s next steps are not always clearly highlighted so that parents

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

can use these to help support their child’s learning at home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for with patience and sensitivity. They have their needs met and enjoy relationships that are close, warm and supportive. Joint play such as make- believe, construction and games help children to learn the important social skills of sharing and cooperating while a colourful poster helps them to understand the childminder’s house rules. Play telephones and imaginary games such as pretending to be a shop keeper, helps children to expand their communication skills and the childminder constantly talks to children to help them learn new words. Simple counting and number games turn daily routines into fun ways of learning. For example, they count the stairs as they walk up to the bathroom and count the trees as they walk to the park. Children enjoy being creative. They draw, paint, use clay and enjoy lots of pretend play. Children acquire new knowledge and skill as they use local facilities such as the park and Children’s Centre and there are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

often special outings to the theatre or nature centre.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well-supervised at all times and learn to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders and clear boundaries. For example, they know not to go past the fence when running in the park and learn road safety rules when walking to the local school. Children’s understanding of healthy eating is supported well. They often help make their own sandwiches for lunch, choose their own fillings and use knives to spread the bread and cut up cucumber and tomatoes. Fresh fruit is provided each day and there is lots of discussion about food, where it comes from and how it helps the children to grow big and strong. 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

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