Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY318887 Inspection date 16/09/2009 Inspector Mary Kelly

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged five, eight and 11 years in the South Yardley area of Birmingham close to shops, parks, primary schools, nurseries and play groups. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the premises is accessed by a step. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range, and she may have five children when working with an assistant. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, as well as the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and under eight years old.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and attends local groups on a regular basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely happy and content at this homely setting where they relish the childminder’s calm and patient character. Children have a very clear knowledge of how to behave and are very willing to engage in a vast range of activities. The childminder continues to improve her practice and has built on the excellent practice shown at her previous inspection. The childminder has an superb understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and as a consequence both young and older children make outstanding progress in their learning and development. Planning, assessment, evaluation systems and plans for the future are fully in place and significantly enhance children's learning and development. Children’s individuality is completely respected and relished by the childminder. Documentation is in place which fully supports children’s specific needs and welfare requirements. Partnerships with parents, carers and local schools are

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

effective which ensures information relating to individual children’s progress and needs is shared consistently.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 continue to develop further the risk assessments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

There is a strong emphasis on safeguarding and the childminder is very well informed about procedures to keep children safe. All required documentation for the effective running of the setting are available and is very well organised. The childminder ensures that she remains confident in her practice and successfully promotes initiatives that value an excellent standard of care and education for children. The indoor and outdoor environments are subjected to thorough and rigorous risk assessments that ensure any potential hazards to children are minimised. The childminder rotates resources frequently to ensure that children's interest in play is effectively stimulated.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear vision for the setting and her practice. She is booked on more additional training courses in order to continue to develop and significantly improve outcomes for children, enabling them to continue to maximise their full potential. The childminder is extremely proactive in her approach to improving the setting and welcomes input and comments from parents and children in order to make changes ensuring the children's needs are met more effectively. The childminder has fully addressed the single recommendation from the last inspection successfully and this contributes significantly to the safeguarding of children. Frequent forms of communication is maintained with parents, ensuring that they are informed about children's daily experiences and development. They are actively encouraged to participate in a two-way communication with the childminder regarding their child and they are kept

p.5

the early years provision

consistently informed about their child's learning and development progress. The childminder is aware of the requirement to work in partnership with other early years providers and works hard to build up the necessary links to fully established this.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes the well-being of each child and works with parents to ensure that all children's needs are competently addressed as agreed. All children and families are valued. Positive images and a vast range of appropriate resources are available to promote understanding and respect for others and to give all children a sense of belonging including the children visiting different places of worship.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder is very committed to the care and education of children and implements highly effective methods using routine activities to fully promote their learning. This means that children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The child-friendly environment encourages children's play as they are free to move around and are able to select toys from a vast range of resources in order to initiate or change activities. The childminder carries out frequent observations that reflect children's attainment and she then clearly plans for their next stage in their learning. This is also effectively linked to the developmental This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stages required in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Planning clearly indicates a wide range of activities that provide stimulating experiences across all areas of learning and the childminder includes challenges to extend children's

p.5

and outcomes for children

skills. For example, she provides resources that are suitable for all ages of children attending, whilst adapting the activity if children are younger of require additional support.

p.6

and outcomes for children

All children are actively engaged in learning. For instance, they participate in outings to places of interest such as parks, soft play and rock climbing centres. A recent visit to a Mosque, helps them to develop an awareness of the wider community. Children are provided with many opportunities for imaginative play through a wide selection of dressing-up clothes. Their self-esteem is sensitively promoted as the childminder tells the children how beautiful they are and gives them cuddles and consistent praise. The childminder is extremely well informed about children's preferences and nurtures their needs, ensuring they are met. For instance, children are able to talk about letters and link these to sounds. They have access to a wide range of books and younger children like to sit with the childminder and look at favourite books and talking about what they see in the pictures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They participate in cooking and often design and make their own pizzas that they then eat for tea. They manipulate small equipment such as scissors, cutlery, pens and pencils with precision and demonstrate independence skills by dressing without help. This was extended by including a slightly older child observed helping the childminder dress the baby after she had had her nappy changed. Children maintain concentration during activities and this is supported by the childminder supplementing activities to ensure the children are engaged at all times. The children have close relationships with the childminder and are happy to approach the childminder when help is required.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has formed strong relationships with children and they interact positively with adults and their peers. She offers clear praise consistently and this encourages children's exemplarily behaviour. They are clearly aware of boundaries and are aware of their exceptional social skills as they repeatedly say 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately. They are very content to share resources as requested by the childminder and negotiate space with others during activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are at ease in the setting. They demonstrate a clear awareness of keeping themselves safe. For example, they know that resources must be put away carefully, not having small pieces near to the younger children and benefit from regular emergency evacuation drills and discussions about stranger danger. They have a very well developed sense of maintaining personal hygiene. For example, prior to snacks children go and wash their hands and the after school children now wash their hands when they return from school in addition to using hand gel. Cross infection is prevented by the children having access to paper towels when drying their hands on and the childminder using excellent practices when changing nappies. The childminder provides freshly cooked meals daily and children demonstrate their positive attitude to healthy eating by choosing fruit at snack time and they eat vegetables readily. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of diversity and differences is enhanced as they have opportunities to sample foods from a range of cultures and visit a range of places of worship. They access resources that reflect positive images and all children treat others with respect. They are effectively continuing to develop skills for the future due to constant communication with the childminder and a very good selection of programmable toys and information communication technology through a computer which is available for homework, younger children have access to one- to-one sessions with the childminder and children's use is monitored to ensure it is suitable and age-appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9