Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228158 Inspection date 14/10/2009 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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

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 1987. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 14 years in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham. The location is convenient for shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Minded children only have access to the ground floor area of the premises which includes a lounge, dining room, play room, conservatory, kitchen and toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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. She is currently minding nine children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis and four of the children are within the early years age range. The childminder 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 able to take and collect children from the local school and attends toddler groups regularly. She is a member of an approved childminding network and 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 extremely happy and content at this welcoming, stimulating setting where they thrive as a result of the childminder’s experience of childcare and caring manner. Children have a clear awareness of how to behave and willingly engage in a vast range of activities. The childminder has a good understanding of the early learning goals and ensures children's play is purposeful and supportive of their learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and as a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. Practice is inclusive and the individual needs of all children are met through open dialogue between the childminder, other practitioners and parents. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. She has recently gained a Quality Assurance award and has identified further training courses to improve outcomes for children. Most of

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

the required documentation is in place, regularly reviewed and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the daily record of children looked after always includes their hours of attendance (Documentation) 20/10/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review systems for risk assessments; this specifically refers to outings.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder fully understands her role in protecting the children in her care. Procedures for vetting and assessing the suitability of all household and family members are stringently implemented. Risk assessments cover all areas of the property to ensure that children are able to move freely and safely around the available space and although the childminder carries out regular visual risk assessments before going on outings with the children, these are not always formally recorded. The premises are secure and additional security procedures have been implemented to further ensure children's safety at all times, including the collection of children only by authorised people. For example, passwords are used when necessary for extra protection.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a good range of written policies and procedures to ensure children’s welfare, care and learning are effectively promoted. However, children’s daily attendance records do not include the time that they arrive and leave the childminders home to ensure that their safety is fully promoted. The required written parental consents have been obtained, ensuring children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. The childminder has formed excellent relationships with parents and strong links with other childminders and the local school to meet children's individual needs. Parents are provided with clear information about the service offered and their child's progress through diaries, photographs, regular discussions and meetings. Parents are regularly asked for feedback using questionnaires and any comments are acted upon if necessary. Parents comment positively about their active involvement in their children’s

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the early years provision

learning and a strong link between home and the childminder is maintained. Space and resources are used well to support children's play and provide a stable environment for all children. Children access a good range of toys and activities, several of which provide positive images of diversity. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity to ensure children are well supported to participate in all aspects of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows commitment towards her own personal development and holds a relevant childcare qualification and improves her knowledge by attending training courses and workshops. The systems for monitoring and evaluating the provision clearly identify the areas of strengths and weaknesses of the childminders provision and the use of the self-evaluation form ensures that continuous improvement is maintained. As a result, the childminder has addressed the recommendation raised at the last inspection by implementing written guidelines of notifiable illnesses and sharing these with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and enjoy themselves at the childminders home and are helped to achieve. The play room is well organised to develop children's independent skills as they are able to easily and safely select most resources for themselves and make choices about what they wish to play with. Children are supported in these choices by a competent, caring and experienced childminder who has developed a good balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities. Good warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. Children are valued and the children's behaviour is managed well through clear and concise behaviour management strategies which are shared and agreed with parents. The childminder fosters children's self-esteem and offers praise and encouragement at all times for their efforts.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop early literacy skills as they look at books and have good opportunities to make marks and develop their early writing skills. For example, they enjoy participating in activities such as colouring pictures that depict positive images of other cultures, including Diwali. They regularly join in with music and movement sessions and are encouraged to use various musical instruments to try out new skills. Children develop simple problem solving skills through construction play and their learning is further enhanced as the childminder readily gets down to their level to interact with them, asking questions which encourage them to develop their thinking and consolidate their learning. For example, she discusses number, shape, size and colour and the children respond with confidence and are clearly learning from the experience. Children expand their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live through a good range of toys and

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and outcomes for children

resources that provide positive images of culture and disability and are beginning to understand how things work through the use of programmable and electronic toys. Children have lots of opportunities to be active and enjoy using the outdoor toys and equipment. They take part in a variety of craft activities such as painting, leaf and hand printing and attend the local park and toddler groups where these experiences are further extended and their social skills developed through interaction with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are engaged and keen to join in all activities and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They benefit from planned, purposeful play, both in and outdoors and planning covers all areas of learning. These systems include the use of photographs, samples of children work and written observations. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. Parents provide information about children's starting points, likes and dislikes and the childminder uses this to ensure children remain stimulated and interested. The childminder adopts an embracing approach to inclusion and welcomes all children to her setting. Support from outside agencies ensures that children with specific needs are fully supported.

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and outcomes for children

Children understand the importance of following simple hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating and after messy play. They are well cared for if they become sick or have an accident and there are good procedures in place to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect them from infection. Children develop a good understanding of how to stay safe through discussions about road safety. They know that they need to look left and right and wait for the lollipop lady to cross them over the road. They learn about fire safety and know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency, which the childminder regularly practises with them. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks provided by their parents, which the childminder ensures is stored appropriately. Children enjoy being independent as they help themselves to their food and drink. 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 1 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 1 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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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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