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 227666 Inspection date 25/08/2009 Inspector Bernadina Laverty

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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 registered in 1997. She lives with her partner and two teenage children in Kings Heath in Birmingham within walking distance of shops, public transport and local schools. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the childminder's house is via a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently looking after five children all of whom are in the early years age range. She occasionally looks after children after school. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Whilst children are happy, settled and make satisfactory progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the childminder is inadequate with regard to the welfare requirements of the EYFS because of her lack of understanding regarding her conditions of registration. The childminder provides a homely environment in which children‟s uniqueness is valued and their daily care is mostly supported by documentation and partnership working. The childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection in considering how she will implement the EYFS with regard to the planning, assessment and self-evaluation systems.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure all records required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and maintain a record of attendance, including the hours of attendance is consistently recorded for all children, on a daily basis (Documentation; also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 25/08/2009  take necessary steps to safeguard and promote children's welfare (Safeguarding and welfare; also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 25/08/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  further improve knowledge of the EYFS, evaluation and assessment procedures in order to plan the next steps in children's progress and regularly review this approach  reappraise the risk assessment to include all activities to which children are being exposed and make necessary adjustment to secure their safety at all

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provision

Whilst the childminder is established and experienced, she lacks understanding about her registration certificate and her role as an emergency back-up to another childminder. This has resulted in a breach of the conditions of registration on the day of inspection. Namely, the childminder caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. This means the childminder has committed an offence unless the childminder can give a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the childminder did so and Ofsted does not intend to prosecute on this occasion.

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provision

Safeguarding children is mostly given appropriate attention because the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her duty to refer any child protection concerns and ensures parents are informed of this obligation. Although, the breach of conditions of registration at inspection compromises children‟s safety. The childminder ensures all members of the household undergo vetting procedures to confirm they are suitable to have regular contact with children. The care environment is safe and secure. Risk assessments cover most aspects including outings, although some hazards are not fully considered, such as those posed by the trampoline. Whilst most documentation, is well-organised and covers the welfare requirements, including accident recording and medication procedures, children‟s attendance records are not maintained effectively, thus compromising children‟s safety in the event of an emergency.

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provision

The childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection, although she has not developed a sufficient system to monitor and evaluate the quality of the welfare, learning and development of children. The childminder is keen to attend training to develop her knowledge and skills. For example, she has completed a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Care, Learning and Development and attends short courses including, first aid, child protection and EYFS briefings. The childminder welcomes all children and caters for their individual needs well as she knows their rest and sleep routines and supports their language needs. Feedback from parents via questionnaires indicates they are happy with the flexible service provided by the childminder. The childminder also liaises with other settings including schools to ensure information is shared about children‟s welfare and progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play contentedly and make satisfactory progress within the EYFS. Planning is informal and the childminder is guided by children‟s interests and preferences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children‟s starting points and progress are recorded and include observations and examples of work, although these systems are yet to be consolidated and evaluated to ensure all areas of learning are sufficiently covered. As an experienced minder she has a sound understanding of children‟s developmental needs and provides appropriate care and activities accordingly. Parents and carers receive helpful information about the childminding business and their children‟s progress including, detailed policies and procedures and photo discs of children taking part in activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about diversity by experiencing meaningful activities relating to different cultures and festivals, such as tasting food including samosas and noodles and then discussing the taste and significance of these foods. Children have access to positive image resources, such as books and dressing-up clothes and the childminder recognises how boys and girls play differently with resources and supports children‟s play appropriately. Children‟s individual needs and cultural requirements are ascertained prior to children starting. Children establish firm friendships and behave well. They play cooperatively together and share toys and resources with appropriate support from the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has considered how to organise her home to ensure toys and resources are easily accessible to children and therefore promoting choice in children‟s play. Children enjoy conversations with their friends and share fun as they jump on the trampoline. They demonstrate coordination skills as they practise standing on one leg and hopping proficiently. Children have fun with the childminder as they happily sing, “Row your boat”, making up lyrics and then laughing as they make animal noises. Children join in with familiar songs in other languages including Frère Jacques. Children demonstrate early mathematical skills as they talk about three bikes in the garden and only one is pink. Children enjoy many opportunities to be creative and make cards and gifts to mark occasions using a variety of skills and materials including threading, cake making and book marks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety as they are reminded to be careful whilst bouncing together on the trampoline, ensuring they give each other sufficient space. Children enjoy a varied, healthy diet that includes fruit and pasta. Regular drinks are provided in suitable containers to ensure children can have a drink whenever they require. Children's health and well-being is mostly supported as the childminder has detailed contracts and procedures in place for her childminded children, but not for the extra child being cared for at inspection. Children enjoy playing in a spacious garden to experience the benefits of fresh air and exercise. Here they can develop their physical skills, such as running, pedalling and manoeuvring pushchairs with skill. 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? 4 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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 25/08/2009  take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 25/08/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 25/08/2009  take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 25/08/2009

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