Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228540 Inspection date 15/12/2009 Inspector Bernadina Laverty

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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 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.

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

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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

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1995. She lives with her two adult children in the Sheldon area of Birmingham. The house is close to local shops, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the front entrance of her home is via a low step. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children under eight years may attend at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are lively, confident and well cared for by this experienced childminder. The childminder plans and provides many good opportunities for children to learn and develop in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring they make good progress. Most aspects of the six areas of learning are well covered. All children are welcomed and supported by the childminder who appreciates their uniqueness and individuality. Effective partnerships ensure children’s needs are met and information is exchanged. The childminder is committed to ensuring ongoing improvement of her service, consequently evaluation systems are being reviewed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further self-evaluation procedures to include the views of all service users, including children  provide more opportunities for children to work in two or three dimensions using malleable materials for model making.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding is given good attention as the childminder is fully aware of her duty to protect children in her care. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder has developed detailed procedures that cover reporting procedures, allegations and shares this information with parents and carers. Children play safely within the welcoming environment because the childminder is vigilant and ensures all adults undergo Criminal Record Bureau checks to confirm their suitability. Detailed risk assessment covers all aspects of the childminding service, including outings. Children's attendance is clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recorded and reflects their arrival and departure times. The childminder demonstrate a positive attitude to inclusion and encourages children to develop understanding and sensitivity to each other's cultural backgrounds and/or medical

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the early years provision

needs. The childminder is well organised and makes good use of the available space in her home consequently, children respond well to the familiar routine, choose resources and direct their own play.

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the early years provision

Parents and carers receive detailed information and report that they are satisfied with the level of communication and feel reassured with the rapport the childminder makes with their children. The childminder has devised a very effective set of policies and procedures. Settling-in procedures are flexible and children comment that they feel settled and enjoy coming to the childminder’s home. The childminder is experienced and established in the local community; consequently good, effective partnerships are in place to ensure information is exchanged on a regular basis. The childminder has made a positive start in evaluating her practice and whilst she discusses with children their opinions about the childminding service, the current system lacks the breadth and focus to ensure children can fully influence and instigate changes to enhance the quality of care further. The childminder is clear about her plans for the future and embraces training

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the early years provision

opportunities, advice and guidance to enhance her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress within the EYFS because the childminder has fully embraced the framework and developed her knowledge accordingly. The childminder plans a stimulating, learning programme for all children that include visits to the local library. Children’s progress is clearly recorded in personalised books and children proudly show these, recalling their memories of activities, such as building snowmen. Children’s starting points are identified and personal information, including their hand and foot prints helps children see how they grow and develop over time. The childminder uses children’s books and the EYFS guidance as a reference tool in order to ensure she plans for the next steps in children’s learning. The childminder has daily conversations with parents and carers helping to keep them informed about children’s progress. All children are welcome within the home and the childminder has considered how to ensure her

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and outcomes for children

resources reflect positive images by making books and skin tone crayons available. Children with additional learning needs or physical disabilities are supported and the childminder liaises with parents and specialist professionals to ensure children receive appropriate support.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has honest, open discussions with children about diversity and differences. The childminder is sensitive to the gender differences and can describe how boys like to play and provides resources accordingly. The childminder manages children’s behave very well, giving them time and space to calm down if required, consequently, children behave very well and play cooperatively together with small world figures. Children show good social skills as they say 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately and courteously talk about their day at school and what characters they are going to be in the school Christmas play. Children use plastic This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 bricks and build with enthusiasm, displaying problem-solving skills as they place the bricks in the correct sequence to make structures. Children enjoy creative activities, especially drawing and collage, making detailed pictures with skill and

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and outcomes for children

care. Whilst the childminder provides a good range of creative materials to support children’s interest in this area, opportunities for model making in two or three dimensions, with materials, such as clay or dough are limited. The childminder has given good consideration to the sustainability of resources as children use recyclable materials to make Christmas cards and crackers. Overall, children have good opportunities to develop skills to support their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s welfare is well promoted as the childminder has clear systems in place for recording accidents and medication. The childminder is proactive in ensuring her first aid training is up to date. Detailed documentation is in place to support children’s needs. For example, records cards indicate children’s medical history and any specific individual requirements. The childminder ensures she has up to date contact numbers if a child has an accident or becomes ill whilst at the setting. Children talk about feeling safe whilst at the childminder's home and say they would tell her if they had any concerns about issues, such as bullying. Fire safety is well considered and children practise evacuation procedures. Children are developing a good understanding hygiene practice as they are encouraged to wash their hands when they come in from school and prior to eating snacks. Healthy eating is encouraged and children are provided with snacks, such as apples, cereal

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and outcomes for children

bars and yogurts. Children can have drinks at any time to quench their thirst. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as the childminder makes good use of her garden where children can play team games, such as football. Regular trips to the local park ensures children can play on large climbing equipment to refine their balance and gross motor skills. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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