Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY347922 Inspection date 14/01/2011 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 assesses 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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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 husband and two children aged five years and 13 years in a third floor flat in Birmingham. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is no garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group and two older children who attend before and after school. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification. She is a part of a recognised childcare network and member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the Childminder and Children's Centre Childcare Link Scheme, working with Bloomsbury Children's Centre.

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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's individuality is recognised and valued and they are settled and at ease in the childminder's care. They participate in a variety of safe and stimulating activities that help them to learn through play and make suitable progress. The childminder has fostered a satisfactory partnership with parents and verbally exchanges general information with them to help ensure continuity and consistency of care for their children. Most documentation to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision is in place but it is not organised effectively. The childminder has attended a wealth of training and demonstrates a suitable capacity for improvement. She informally evaluates her practice and has begun to record her observations and assessments of children; however, these systems are not yet effective in improving outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident(Documentation) 28/01/2011

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further?

 obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for their children (Safeguarding and promoting children's 21/01/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare).

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods for continuous observational assessment to help form an accurate view of where children are in their learning and development and where they need to go next and explore ways of encouraging parents to contribute to these assessments  engage in regular reflective practice to help identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development  develop strategies for working in partnership with others to identify needs and provide the best possible learning opportunities for children.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded. The childminder is able to recognise child abuse and neglect and knows who to consult if there is a cause for concern. She has attended training in respect of safeguarding and ensures that parents are aware of her responsibilities in this respect. All adults living in the home have been suitably vetted and children are appropriately supervised at all times. The childminder's home is safe and secure. This is because a range of safety equipment is in place and she visually checks her premises and equipment on a regular basis. However, children's welfare and safety is not fully protected because the childminder has not recorded her risk assessment appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a sound desire and commitment to improving the service that she offers to children and their families. She informally considers what she does well and what she needs to improve but systems for reflective practice are still in their infancy and do not effectively identify strengths and priorities for improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder has attended a wealth of training to help improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare and improve outcomes for children. For example, she has achieved a recognised childcare qualification and has attended courses that include, 'Behaviour Management', 'Equality and Diversity' and 'Fire Safety'. Most recommendations raised at the childminder's last inspection have been suitably addressed. For example, some paperwork has been improved, emergency escape plans have been devised and practised and some additional resources have been purchased to help

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the early years provision

children develop a better knowledge and understanding of diversity. However, the childminder has not obtained parental permission from all parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for their children. Consequently, children's welfare in the event of an emergency situation is compromised.

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the early years provision

Children are at ease in the childminder's warm and welcoming home. Children have sufficient space to play and rest. A general selection of resources is put out on a daily basis for children to play with, and this is changed by the childminder to reflect children's changing needs and interests. The childminder maintains regular verbal communication with parents. They talk about children's welfare and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development and the childminder asks about home routines and parenting practices. She shares her portfolio with parents and this contains a wealth of information, including her training certificates and a range of comprehensive policies and procedures. This ensures that they are clear about her role and responsibilities and the nature of the service she provides. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage and recognises the value of exchanging appropriate information with other professionals. However, strategies for doing so have not been fully explored. Consequently, her ability to help children make the best possible progress and to provide consistency of care is reduced.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making steady progress in their learning and development. They are at ease with the childminder and the atmosphere within her home is happy and relaxed. The childminder demonstrates a sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop. She provides a variety of activities that engage children and help them to gain the skills that they will need in future life. She interacts well with children and thoughtfully uses everyday experiences to extend their learning. Outings are used to alert children to nature, help reinforce road safety rules and provide regular opportunities for children to experience plenty of fresh air and exercise. Also, the childminder alerts children to the colours of cars, numbers on houses and the letters and words on signs and street names.

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and outcomes for children

Whilst children are learning and having fun, their overall progress towards the early learning goals is reduced because effective systems for observation, assessment and planning are not in place. The childminder regularly observes children during play and records some of what she sees. She gathers some information about children's starting points, individual needs and preferences and she regularly exchanges general information with parents. However, this information is not used effectively to identify children's next steps in their learning, or to inform the planning of their experiences. Also, parents are not actively invited to share what they know about their children's learning and development or to contribute to their children's developmental records.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably promoted. They follow appropriate hygiene procedures and are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that meals meet children's dietary requirements and preferences and do not contain too much sugar and salt. The childminder does not have a garden but children go outside on a daily basis. They visit community groups, parks and go for lots of walks in the local environment. Indoors, children dance and join in with action rhymes. Consequently, children are developing a positive attitude to exercise and they are mixing with other adults and children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are starting to develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners and they show care and consideration for others. They are beginning to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 form positive relationships and happily play both with and alongside others. The childminder ensures that children are aware of her house rules and explains why they are in place. For example, children are asked not to jump on furniture because they may fall and hurt themselves or others. The childminder provides children with a positive role model because she is calm and caring. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make information available to parents about the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 21/01/2011

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