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 EY309232 Inspection date 28/04/2009 Inspector Rebecca Johnson

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with husband and two children, aged five and seven years, in a house in Sutton. The whole of the downstairs and one upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Shops, schools, the library and parks are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association (NCMA) and attends local toddler and childminding groups. She has an NVQ Level 3 in childcare and receives support from the local authority. She is developing partnerships with other agencies and links with other professionals who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision is good. The childminder provides effectively for children as they make good progress in all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The uniqueness of each child is recognised and the individual needs of all children are well met. Extremely positive relationships with parents and other professionals are fostered in order to identify and meet children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care. The childminder is clearly able to identify areas for improvement to ensure that she maintains continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that permission to seek emergency treatment or advice is in place for all children in order to take appropriate action if children are injured or become ill  develop further methods of observation and assessment in order to plan activities to meet children’s individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of risk assessment to ensure that all areas and equipment used by children are safe and suitable for purpose, especially with regard to outings (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 29/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well motivated and committed to providing a high level of care and education for the children. She holds a childcare qualification and regularly attends training to enhance her good practice. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating the service that she provides. Through the use of the self-evaluation form, she has effectively identified the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and shown how she will implement strategies to maintain continuous improvement. Daily routines are managed effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. The environment is utilised to its full potential to provide children with choices about where and with what they wish to play.

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provision

Most documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place and regularly reviewed and additional information and policies relating to the setting support the childminder’s good practice. However, permission to seek emergency treatment or advice is not in place for all children. Therefore, children's welfare is potentially compromised. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and practised effectively to ensure that children are well protected. The childminders knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care, ensures that their welfare is safeguarded. She is clearly able to identify and minimise potential risks to children and the use of written risk assessments which cover all areas of the premises are in place. However, risk assessments to include all outings in which children participate have not yet been fully implemented.

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provision

Therefore, children’s safety is potentially compromised in this area.

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provision

The childminder works exceptionally well in partnership with parents and is developing relationships with other agencies in order to maintain a consistent approach in meeting children's needs. She takes time before children start to accumulate information relating to their individual needs and preferences to ensure continuity between home and minding environments and parents are provided with an information pack which covers all aspects of the provision. This helps children to settle well and develops parents trust and confidence in the childminder. Parents are provided with information about their child on a daily basis through diaries and children's leaning journeys and photographs which are always available. Parent’s views are sought through a compliments and complaints record and the childminder uses feedback comments positively to improve the service she provides.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and interact positively with the childminder. They become independent because the childminder has developed a good balance between adult interaction to extend learning and development and allowing children time to initiate and explore games and activities for themselves. Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement and is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 always close at hand to offer support. They develop positive attitudes to learning because the childminder shows an interest in everything they do. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities that sustain their interest well. The use of learning journeys and observations has been implemented, however, these need to be developed further

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to ensure that children make progress at a pace suitable to their individual needs in all areas of learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy and participate in a wealth of exciting and interesting activities. They especially enjoy time spent outside in the fresh air where they feed the chickens in the garden and collect the eggs. They enjoy trips to the farm or the park where they learn about different animals or develop their physical skills on equipment such as swings and climbing frames. They enjoy looking at books and listening to their favourite stories. Younger children develop early physical skills as the childminder encourages development through a range of resources and she constantly re-enforces sounds that children make to develop early communication skills. Older children forge positive relationships with their peers by attending local groups. They interact wonderfully with younger children and babies, for example, tickling their toes to make them laugh. Children learn about the wider world through resources which portray positive images and playing musical instruments

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are building positive relationships with the childminder and are obviously happy and contented in her care. They are highly valued and respected as individuals and respond positively to the childminders methods of behaviour management which is appropriate to children's age and stage of development and re-enforces positive behaviour. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment. They are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children are learning about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy. They wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day and learn about healthy eating as they enjoy healthy meals and snacks which include fresh fruit and vegetables. They talk about foods that are good for them and grow fruit and vegetables in the garden and at the allotment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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