Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228584 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Kashma Patel

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years old in Birmingham. The home is close to shops and schools. Most of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises can be accessed by one step at the front of the home. The family have two dogs, two cats, a chinchilla and fish

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She also offers care to children aged over five to nine years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and who speak English as an additional language. The childminder runs a parent and toddler group. She has a Nursery Nursing Examination Board (NNEB) qualification in childcare.

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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

Children are happy and settled in the inclusive environment where they make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Effective partnerships are in place with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and their welfare promoted. All the required paper work is in place, however, children's developmental records contain limited information. A system for self-evaluation is not in place, however, the childminder is aware of some of her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to support children as they progress towards the early learning goals  develop further the use of observation and assessment to inform future planning and to identify children's next step in their learning  engage in reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.  maintain a regular two-way flow of information with parents to promote a shared understanding of children’s individual learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable knowledge of safeguarding children and a clear understanding of procedures to follow in the event of concerns being raised about children in her care. All of the required documentation, policies and procedures are in place, which ensures children are effectively safeguarded.

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the early years provision

A risk assessment is in place for all areas in the home which children have access to. Procedures for outings ensure children's safety is promoted whilst out in the community. Appropriate procedures are in place to protect children from pets in the household. For example, children are not cared for in the same areas as pets which ensures the risk of harm to children is minimised. They feel safe in the home and develop a sound understanding of how to keep themselves safe on outings in the community.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a suitable capacity for improvement, she is able to identify many of her strengths and some areas that require improvement such as adding more information in children's learning journals. However, the system for self-evaluation and refection needs to be further developed. The childminder has a NNEB qualification, which helps her to plan a wide range of interesting activities for children in her care. The childminder has not fully updated her self-evaluation with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which means there are some inconsistencies in children's planning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are satisfactory. The childminder is aware of the importance of liaising with other agencies which children attend. However, currently children do not attend other settings. The childminder exchanges daily written and verbal information with parents when they collect their children, however, limited information is shared with parents on children's learning and progress. This means that they are not fully involved in their children's learning.

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the early years provision

Toys and resources are stored at children's level to promote their choice and independence. There is a suitable range of equipment which is suitable to support children's learning and development and also reflects images of diversity to help children develop positive attitudes of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They develop a sense of security and attachment with the childminder through her sensitive interaction with them. Children develop their independence as they freely access a good selection of toys which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Young children enjoy the stimulation from brightly coloured musical activities. They develop their hand and eye coordination as they press buttons which light up and make sounds which excite them. Children build their vocabulary through stories, songs, rhymes and role-play such as caring for dolls. Opportunities are available This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for mark making using appropriate tools such as pencils and chunky crayons. Older children enjoy tracing their names and are able to recognise several letters of the alphabet when looking at books and playing with magnetic letters and numbers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the natural world through outings in the community. For example, they collect leaves and conkers and investigate insects in the park. Physical skills are promoted through daily walks to school and local parks where they access climbing equipment to promote their good health. Children express their feelings through a good range of messy play which include paint, play dough and collage activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about other cultures and faiths through a good range of resources which include books, puzzles and dolls. They take part in activities where they make divas and Rangoli patterns for the festival of Diwali. Children develop a clear understanding of right and wrong through simple explanations and positive encouragement. They are encouraged to share and tidy away toys before they take more out.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to record her observations and has some evidence to show that these are being used to identify children's next steps. However, systems for observation and assessment are in their infancy and do not always inform future planning. This means that there may be some gaps in children's progress towards their learning. Learning journals are in place with photographic evidence of children's achievements, which covers all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages appropriate hygiene practices such as hand washing before food and after using the toilet. Effective routines are also in place for nappy changing and disposal to ensure younger children's hygiene is well promoted. This ensures that the risk of cross-infection is minimised in the home. Children enjoy a range of nutritious snacks and meals which meets their individual dietary requirements and are in accordance with parents wishes. Regular drinks of juice and water are provided for children to ensure they remain well-hydrated. 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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