Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343005 Inspection date 27/05/2010 Inspector Teresa Marie 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 2007. She lives with her family in the Yardley Wood area of Birmingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 three children in the early years age group. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children can be taken to and collected from local schools and pre-school groups. The family has two rabbits and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. She holds a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 very happy and settled in the childminding environment, where they feel safe and supported by the childminder. Children are provided with a good range of play activities, which ensure they are making steady progress in all areas of learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, but has few resources to support children's independent learning of equality of opportunities and problem solving and numeracy. She actively encourages parents to be fully involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. Children’s individuality is recognised and managed successfully. Well- written policies and procedures securely underpin the childminder's practice. Parents are provided with copies of all policies and procedures. The childminder has no children that attend other settings but has clear plans in place to exchange information in the future. The childminder has good relationships with parents and

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

a good capacity and drive for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  provide further opportunities for children to practise problem solving, reasoning and numeracy and extend their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use. 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 strong commitment to safeguarding children and is very well-informed about procedures to keep children safe. She ensures safeguarding and first aid training are regularly completed, ensuring children are fully protected. All required policies, procedures and documentation for the effective and safe running of the setting are written, well-organised and copies are provided for parents. The childminder successfully promotes all areas of equal opportunities and inclusion, ensuring children are given a broad understanding of the wider world. The indoor and outdoor environments are subjected to thorough risk assessments to ensure any potential hazards to children are minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear vision for the future of her provision and her practice. She undertakes additional training courses in order to continue to develop and significantly improve outcomes for children, enabling them to develop to their full potential. The childminder's commitment to continuous improvement is very good. She is proactive in obtaining the opinions of both parents and children and continually reflects on her practice to ensure the best possible care and learning opportunities are provided for the children. Children are involved in the formation of activity and outing plans, which gives them an excellent sense of belonging and increases their self-esteem. The childminder has appropriately addressed the recommendations from the last inspection, which ensures parents have full information about their child's day, and planning has been improved to take more account of children's interests and individual needs. Communication, both with

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the early years provision

parents and children, is very good. Parents have access to daily diaries, daily discussions and children's individual and activity folders, ensuring they are fully aware of all aspects of their child's day. They are actively encouraged to be fully involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes the uniqueness and individuality of each child. She provides age-appropriate activities and a good range of resources to ensure all children can participate in all play opportunities, regardless of gender, background, ability or disability. All children and families are highly valued. Parents are provided with annual questionnaires, encouraging them to take an active part in the setting. Recent comments from parents included the following, 'very pleased with my child's care', 'excellent service', 'flexible', 'my child has never been happier', and 'supportive to both children and parents'.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress as they enjoy a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable activities. They are very settled and relaxed and are given a high level of support that ensures they develop fully as individuals. Suitable planning ensures children are provided with a good range of creative learning experiences which keep them involved and eager to learn. Clear information is gained about children’s starting points and developing observations and assessments of children’s progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure all aspects of children’s needs are identified and plans made to met their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident when exploring the environment, both indoors and out. They play a full and active role in their own learning, make choices, decisions and provide ideas for future activities. A range of planned activities and experiences help children to understand the wider world as they explore the natural environment, plant and grow fruit and vegetables, discuss other cultures, abilities and disabilities, celebrate festivals and have a range of books in languages other than English. However, resources to enable children's independent learning are limited. Children are given clear rules about how to treat each other, which ensures they develop self-esteem, understand each other's limitations, particularly in terms of age, and know how to behave. They freely express their feelings and ask for help when they need it. Children play both independently and together with older children, sometimes including younger children in their play, this helps them

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and outcomes for children

to develop skills for their future. They make good progress in their communication and language skills as they enjoy a range of challenging and enjoyable experiences. For example, although the youngest child does not yet talk she was encouraged to vocalise as she looked through a book showing babies displaying emotions. She babbled enthusiastically at the different pictures. Another child took out a set of table puzzles and asked the childminder for the pieces. The childminder said that if she looked she would be able to access them for herself. The child replied that she could but the baby could not and that the pieces were heavy. When chalking outside, the childminder congratulated a child on drawing lines and circles. She asked if the child could make a face out of a circle and asked her what colour her eyes and lips were. The child told her and the childminder found chalks of the correct colours and encouraged her to complete a face. The

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and outcomes for children

child extended this and also included hair. Colours and names are included in all activities, but children's development of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are not as well-supported. The childminder has begun to assess the effectiveness of activities and use the results to improve children's learning. Children are actively encouraged to access books, sing songs and repeat favourite nursery rhymes. Children develop good early technology skills as they play with a range of programmable toys and have access to a computer.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a strong sense of belonging in the security of the childminder’s care. They show they feel safe and are confident in sharing their concerns with the childminder as they turn to her for reassurance when visitors arrive. They show their understanding of keeping themselves safe through their good behaviour, consideration of each other and show they understand safety rules, such as not approaching the pond and tidying up to prevent accidents. Children are protected when on outings and trips because they understand road safety rules and the childminder makes sure, through appropriate risk assessments, that the places they visit are safe and appropriate environments. The childminder supports children's understanding of personal safety, for example, by discussing 'safe' people such as policemen, and teaching children road and water safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they understand about a healthy lifestyle as they plant, grow and pick fruit and vegetables from the garden and discuss how good food makes your teeth and bones grow. The childminder explains about thorns on blackberries, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraging children only to pick the ones they can reach safely. The childminder discusses the weekly menu with children and ensures that children understand about healthy meals. Children know fresh air and physical activities are good for them because the childminder explains how exercise helps them grow, run faster and become strong. Children’s general good health is promoted as they make the most of the fresh air and outdoor play available to them every day, with any and all activities available for use in the garden. 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 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 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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