Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337249 Inspection date 26/02/2010 Inspector Samantha Jayne Taylor

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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 2006. She lives with her family. There are two children aged nine and eight years within the household. The ground floor and a first floor bedroom and bathroom are areas 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. She is currently minding five children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, some who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of the local childminder network.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is qualified to Level 3 in Early Years. She is a member of the National Childminder Association (NCMA).

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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

A very warm welcome is given to children and families. The childminder provides a caring, stimulating and child-orientated family environment in which children’s uniqueness is valued and their daily care is effectively supported by partnership working. The childminder has made good improvements since her last inspection but the system in place for self-evaluation is in its infancy. There are largely clear records, policies and procedures in place to promote children’s care and welfare. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals but the procedure for planning and assessment is not fully established to share children's achievements effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for planning and assessment to ensure children move forward in their learning and development  develop further systems for self-evaluation  improve risk assessments, with particular reference to outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder is secure in her knowledge of safeguarding children and has an understanding of her responsibility for keeping children safe. Risk assessments are regularly conducted, which include the premises and outings but full consideration This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is not given to all areas to fully ensure children's welfare. The policies, records and procedures are well presented and the majority support children’s safety, care and welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment and ability to continually improve the service she offers to children and their families. She keenly completes training courses to develop and increase her knowledge, which results in positive impact on outcomes for children. In addition she is mostly able to identify areas in which to make improvements to her practice through self-evaluation. Views from parents and external agencies are sought as opportunities for improvement. Parents are very complimentary expressing their children's enjoyment whilst at the setting and the positive established relationships between the childminder and children. They are confident in the care provided.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her time purposefully to provide children with high levels of support and quality interaction in their play to enhance their learning experiences. Children keenly explore the inviting, stimulating and well-resourced environment the childminder has created which inspires and builds on their natural curiosity, for example, in the well-resourced garden area children wonder at windmills as they turn in the gentle breeze. The childminder makes good use of space, for example, children are able to move freely between rooms to access a good range activities. In consultation with parents photographic evidence is used effectively to share children's enjoyment and achievements. Whilst children play a computer slide show plays in the background displaying photographs of past activities enjoyed by children whilst at the setting. Their positive self-esteem is well promoted and children recall fun filled past activities enjoyed such as visiting the

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the early years provision

farm or collecting conkers, which children refer to as 'their treasure'. The environment is attractive, stimulating and children's artwork is proudly displayed by the childminder as well as educational resources, such as children's names. Displays are used as a useful aid to children's leaning such as their number and letter recognition. Children are secure and have a great sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

Systems in place for the exchange of information with parents are mostly effective and support the importance placed on celebrating the uniqueness of each child. However, whilst individual children's development is well known by the childminder, the information relating to the individuality of each child's developmental stage is not recorded when starting at the setting. The childminder shares information with parents daily about their children’s involvement in activities through verbal and written communication. Children's achievements are recorded which promotes partnership and joint working to meet children’s learning and development needs. There is a great emphasis in photographic evidence but this is not a rigorous system, as for example, observations are not always dated. The system for planning and assessment is in its infancy and as such does not fully share children's achievements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

There is a clear focus on enabling children to make their own choices and take the lead in their learning. Thus children are confident, settled and keen to participate in play and learning experiences. The childminder plans activities that build on children’s interests providing them with a good balance between self-initiated play experiences and planned play opportunities. These take place both within and outside of the home and include all areas of learning. A wide range of fun-filled activities provided include activities such as bubble blowing, walks to a local field to see the horses and swimming, all of which help to promote children's good health.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts purposefully in children’s play and puts much effort and enthusiasm into her role. She gives children her time and attention to support them as they play and to extend their learning experiences. For example, children’s recognition of colours, numbers and shapes are incorporated into play activities such as matching games. As a consequence children are confident, behave well and display good levels of concentration and perseverance. Children are learning about diversity by experiencing meaningful activities relating to cultures and festivals, such as sampling different food types and fruits. They express enjoyment for children's musical rhymes which play softly in the background and the many craft activities provided. These include activities such as collage where they freely access a range of equipment, which helps to foster their creativity and refines their small physical skills. For example, they learn to handle children's scissors and make

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and outcomes for children

successful cuts in the sticky tape to join materials together.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s language and communication skills are well supported as the childminder spends time talking to and playing with children at their level of play and understanding. The childminder skilfully utilises these shared experiences to develop children’s use of spoken language through the use of open questioning. Praise and attention given by the childminder ensures children's positive self- esteem is well promoted. Children are developing a keen interest in technology as they use and learn to operate electronic resources. With parental consent they participate in activities within the local community such as 'the big tidy up' liaising with their peers and others. As a result of these experiences children make good progress in developing skills for the future including being a good citizen and they discuss issues such as caring for the environment.

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and outcomes for children

Planning and assessment is adaptable according to children’s interests. Observations are made and next steps are known by the childminder but are not always identified in the written planning and assessment presented. However individual children's development is well known and the childminder is flexible in her approach taking into account individual children's learning and development in the wide range of activities provided.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain regular exercise and have good opportunities to develop and hone their physical skills. Children are familiar with and follow bathroom routines which help them to develop an awareness of good personal hygiene. Discussions about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the likely consequences of not washing your hands before eating help children to develop an understanding of how to keep healthy. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety, through discussion and involvement in activities such as participating in fire 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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