Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228304 Inspection date 09/12/2009 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 was registered in 1991. She lives in a house in the Great Barr area of Birmingham with her husband and four children. The location is within walking distance of local shops, schools and other amenities. The ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Three of the children attending are within the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory 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 nursery and regularly attends toddler groups. She 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 happy and content at this homely setting where space is well organised to ensure that they can access the varied range of toys and resources independently. Children thrive as a result of the childminder’s calm and caring disposition. Children have formed good relationships with the childminder and their individuality is valued and well supported by the childminder. Most of the required documentation is in place, which effectively supports children’s individual needs and meets the welfare requirements. The childminder is committed to developing and improving her practice although self-evaluation procedures are in their infancy. Partnerships with parents, carers are well established to further improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further methods of observation and assessment and link these to planning to ensure children make progress in all areas of learning  develop further the record of risk assessment to include the date it was reviewed  develop further systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of service provided to improve 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

Children are secure and indoor and outdoor space is organised effectively, creating a child-friendly environment which enables children to explore while being appropriately supervised. Children have access to the ground floor of the childminders home which the childminder checks daily. Although, the childminder carries out regular visual and written risk assessments the record does not include the date it was reviewed to ensure children’s safety is fully protected. There is a range of policies and procedures in place to ensure children’s safety; which are shared with parents. Children records are clear, up-to-date, easily accessible and stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to child protection. She is confident of her ability to take appropriate action should she have a concern about a child in her care and is aware of the signs and

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the early years provision

symptoms of abuse. Adults within the household have been suitably vetted and children are only released into the care of known individuals.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a willingness to improve and has started to implement systems to help with the assessing of the service that she provides to improve outcomes for children. She is keen to develop her personal knowledge by attending further training courses and has completed an National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in childcare and education. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and has addressed the recommendation raised at the last inspection which further contributes to promoting outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from individual attention, good levels of supervision and have formed good relationships with the childminder and each other. Children have access to a range of good quality toys and resources which provides a range of exciting learning opportunities. Children’s work displayed on the wall helps children feel a sense of belonging. Children are valued and their individuality respected and the childminder actively promotes equal opportunities, ensuring that all children and families feel welcome and included. Links with parents and carers are strong and the childminder works in close partnership with parents. She values the role of parents and works hard to provide consistency of care for all children. The childminder regularly asks parents for feedback and acts on any suggestions if necessary. A positive emphasis is also placed on working with others to improve outcomes for children and effective links have been fostered with local schools and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children are happy and confident. Good warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. They communicate easily with each other and this helps children to enjoy and achieve. Children are valued and the childminder helps them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement, while managing their behaviour very well; this helps build children’s self-esteem. Children are free to move around the available space and are able to independently select toys from a wide range of resources. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. She acquires

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and outcomes for children

children's starting points at registration and this enables her to value and build upon their existing skills. The childminder’s knowledge of each child's personal preferences ensures that children's individual needs and routines are appropriately met. Children’s progress is well promoted as the childminder plans purposeful play opportunities both indoors and outdoors. The childminder is intuitive of each child's individual needs as she records brief observations of children's developmental needs and interests, although she is currently reviewing the process of observing and assessing children’s progress to ensure that they cover all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to respect each others differences through a range of activities, toys and resources. Activities include art and craft, looking at books, listening to stories and joining in with role play. Children take pleasure using construction objects and develop simple collaborative skills and problem solving as they build towers and grasp early concepts of science as they knock them over and re-build them again. Through bus rides and walks around the local community children explore the world around them and living things. The childminder encourages children to extend their physical skills and children have lots of opportunities to be active, for example, using slides, swings, climbing frames, wheeled toys and soft-play equipment at a local toddler group.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a clear awareness of keeping themselves safe, for example, they know that toys must be put away carefully and not to run indoors. They learn about what is dangerous and know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency, which the childminder regularly practises with them. The premises are clean and well-maintained and the childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines such as, washing their hands before eating and after playing outdoors. The childminder encourages the children to understand about healthy eating by providing them with a well-balanced range of nutritious meals and snacks. Children are encouraged to sit at the table to enjoy their food and drinks are readily available to ensure that they remain hydrated throughout the day. 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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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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