Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY221459 Inspection date 09/02/2010 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and seven years old in the Rednal area of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder works with an assistant. There is a step up to the premises and the garden is on several levels. The family have some fish and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. 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 takes children to and collects them from a local school and/or nursery. She attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education.

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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

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and works well with parents to ensure their individual needs and interests are understood and successfully met. Her effective procedures promote their health and safety, ensure they are fully safeguarded and that they make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She confidently evaluates her practice and her improvements are well chosen. She takes account of children's suggestions, has tackled recommendations from the last inspection and attends training to ensure she has the required skills and knowledge to sustain changes.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve consistency in the use of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities for each child and link these to the educational programmes  develop the opportunities for partnership working where children receive care and education in more than one setting. 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 fully safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities to protect them from harm and to take prompt appropriate action if she has concerns about a child. She attends safeguarding training and has relevant up to date policies which are explained to her assistant and made available to parents so they understand her responsibilities. Children’s welfare is further protected because the childminder maintains evidence of her suitability and of other adult household members. She also obtains required agreements relating to children’s care and education and information about each child and their parents. As a result she understands who has legal contact with each child and who has parental responsibility for them. Parents are reassured because the childminder makes sure they know how she is registered and they see her policies, procedures and documents which explain how she operates.

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the early years provision

The outcomes for all children are consistently improved because the childminder confidently drives improvement. For example, children’s free flow play, confidence and sense of belonging have been enhanced by the recent completion of a designated playroom. This is a welcoming and child friendly area, where children can help themselves to stimulating books, toys and games and use child size furniture. The childminder ensures improvements are realistic and achievable, taking account of her evaluations of her provision and of children’s ideas, for example, with regard to the choice of toys and equipment for the new room. The childminder links her own personal development and training to her plans for improvements so she has the skills and knowledge to maintain change and to better support children’s welfare and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes equality and diversity. She develops positive relationships with parents and carers from the outset, seeking their views about their child so she is well informed about each child’s starting points, characteristics and family circumstances. The childminder attends courses about different aspects of special educational needs and/or disability so she is confident to advise parents and to access relevant help from other agencies if there are concerns about a child’s development or behaviour. Whilst the childminder understands the benefits of working in partnerships with other settings that children attend, she has not developed a system for liaising with those providers with whom she has no direct contact. Parents appreciate the quality of the childminder’s provision. They are well informed about her procedures, sessions and routines and have regular opportunities to discuss their child’s achievements, activities and routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning and make good progress. The childminder creates a welcoming environment so children settle quickly. She plans varied activities, with a good balance of free choice and adult led experiences at her home and at other venues. Since the last inspection, the childminder has implemented an appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment format to help her monitor children's progress in the six areas of learning. However, this is not always used consistently to highlight each child's learning priorities, but the childminder confidently reflects their interests in her plans, activities and resources. She is also knowledgeable and confident to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and to seek appropriate guidance and help from other agencies.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good skills for the future. They become independent in feeding themselves, in managing their personal hygiene and choosing what they want to play with. Children feel emotionally secure and have positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. They are encouraged to play harmoniously, to share and take turns. Good visual prompts help children to talk about different feelings. Through stories, songs, food tasting and meals, the childminder introduces children to aspects of customs and celebrations and a selection of books and toys such as play food and small world figures further extend their positive awareness of diversity. Children become articulate speakers and enjoy books and stories. They make marks and draw, for instance, on the chalk board they asked to be included in the new playroom. Children think critically, using numbers for counting and problem solving, for example, as they look for house numbers when out

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and outcomes for children

walking. They investigate how things work, change and feel, for instance, toddlers enjoy exploring wet sand. Children are imaginative, acting out roles with realistic play food and domestic play equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well. Their care, health, dietary and cultural needs are understood and met by the childminder. She keeps her first aid qualification up to date and ensures children have prompt appropriate treatment if they have an accident, become unwell or need medication. Appropriate records are kept of accidents and medication, which parents see and sign. Children develop a sound awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They adopt good hygiene practices and make healthy choices from nourishing snacks and home cooked meals. Children enjoy regular physical exercise. They confidently balance, climb and move in different ways, using different apparatus and wheeled toys. Children are kept safe as the premises are secure and free from hazards. They are well supervised and risk assessments are used to effectively monitor overall safety, with prompt action taken to reduce hazards. Children are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others. The childminder ensures they understand about the correct use of equipment and toys, learn about aspects of road safety and take part in regular evacuation drills. 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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