Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228382 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 0300 123 1231, 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.

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

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T: 0300 123 1231 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

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1994 and lives with her adult daughter and mother in Handsworth, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding including toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The family has one cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child on roll in this age group. Care is also offered to older children and this provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Description of the childminding

There were no children in the early years age group present when this inspection took place. The findings in this report are based on evidence gathered from discussion with the provider, inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is able to appropriately demonstrate how activities and routines are provided to acknowledge each child's stage of development and learning, to enable them to make steady progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through discussion, the individuality of each child is recognised and their specific needs are met appropriately. Records show that the childminder works in partnership with parents and other providers to promote continuity of care. Parents are not yet wholly involved in their children's learning and development in an active way. Some aspects of children's safety are not clearly reflected in the risk assessment process.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the risk assessments to ensure they cover anything with which a child may come into contact, with regard to trailing wires, soap powders and toiletries  explore strategies for involving parents more activley in their children's learning and development  develop further the process of evaluating the quality of the provision to reflect on the impact in improving outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Through documentation and discussion the childminder shows a developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to plan purposeful activities and experiences to promote children's care, learning and development. The procedures for safeguarding children are detailed in a comprehensive policy that is shared with parents, to show how appropriate action would be taken to protect children in her care. Risk assessments are carried out regularly by the childminder and cover some aspects that may impinge on children's safety. However, some hazards are evident in the home and have not been included in the overall assessments. For instance the lead from the kettle in the kitchen is within children's reach and soap powder and some toiletries and cleansers are stored in an accessible cupboard in the bathroom. Such hazards pose a potential risk to children. The childminder is in the process of having adult members of the family

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the early years provision

checked as part of her responsibility in keeping children safe. An assessment of the rear garden has been done by the childminder who has chosen not to use it at the present time due to hazards.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes time to obtain information from parents about their child's care needs and preferences, with daily discussions about their child's day. Whilst they observe the records kept on their child's progress, they are not yet actively involved in contributing to their child's development at home, an aspect the childminder is keen to develop more fully. Partnerships with other settings and providers involved in child's care and learning are developing positively, offering a consistent approach to children's learning and welfare. Through discussion and documentation, the childminder demonstrates how all children are enabled to enjoy their time with her. Planning is very flexible, allowing for naturally occurring activities to take priority as children's interests dictate. They access a suitable range of resources depicting positive images of the diversity of society, and children are encouraged to show care and consideration for each other. Resources

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the early years provision

are offered on a rota basis as children ask for favourite toys and games. Some self-selection is made by the children as the childminder offers them the opportunity to choose from the large cupboard or delve happily into the boxes in the lounge.

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the early years provision

The process of evaluating the quality of the provision is developing as the childminder gains confidence in this aspect. It contains information about the overall practice, and demonstrates that the childminder has a sound background in child development and in offering purposeful activity to promote children's enjoyment and achievement. It is not yet fully reflective of how the practice impacts on the children's outcomes or the prioritising of aspects for future improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows that she provides a variety of activities to meet children's individual needs, thereby promoting their enjoyment and progress. There is a strong emphasis on socialising ,as the childminder visits a number of groups to broaden children's experiences of their community, as well as enjoying art and craft activities and meeting other children.

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and outcomes for children

Photographs are being used effectively to demonstrate how children enjoy the range of activities that cover all areas of learning and development. Early literacy skills are promoted as children freely access mark-making activity, seated at their low level table and accessing the requisites for drawing and early writing. Children use a variety of media in their art and craft, for example, painting, sticking and using plaster to create a simple photograph frame; developing their sense of achievement as they share this with their families. Favourite books and stories are revisited to reinforce children's learning as they begin to understand the purposes of the written word. Number and shape recognition is evident in their everyday routines as they discuss times for going to group or the park and become familiar with shapes trough games, pop-up sorters and puzzles. The childminder is able to articulate who younger toddlers and babies are cared for in close partnership with

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and outcomes for children

parents and carers, discussing routines, such as potty training, feeding and sleeping, in order to offer consistency for the child.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted effectively as the childminder has suitable routines in place for cleaning and maintaining the environment in a clean and hygienic manner. Children are reminded about hand washing and how such action promotes their ongoing health. They have individual towels to reduce the risk of the spread of infection, and the childminder maintains all of the required records and information about individual health needs appropriately. Children have contributed to drawing up the simple house rules which are displayed on the wall. The rules are simple ,easily achievable and based on the positive outcome desired . All children and their families are able to become aware of these as they are accompanied by pictures and symbols, and the laminated sheets are displayed at children's height so that they can be referred to easily. This demonstrates the childminder's developing commitment to offering inclusive practice.

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and outcomes for children

Documents and discussion with the childminder shows how children are developing an awareness of their own safety as they participate in fire drills, guided by the routine displayed. All of the necessary consents are in place from parents and carers, with regard to outings and transporting children in a vehicle and the seeking of medical treatment in the event of an emergency, thereby promoting children's well-being. Their overall safety is slightly hindered by the presence of some hazards within their reach. Whilst parents and carers provide their children's main meals, the childminder ensures that such foods are suitable stored and refrigerated if necessary. She works closely with parent to identify dietary needs and preference, and ensure that parents' wishes are followed regarding bottle feeding, weaning foods and first solids for babies and young toddlers. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

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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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