Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 405355 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Dianne Sadler

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in September 2000 and works with an assistant. She lives with her partner and son aged 12 years, in Sutton Coldfield. The family has two pet cats. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and two bedrooms upstairs are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for 12 children in total, six of whom are within the early years age group. The childminder walks to and from local schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care within an environment that is sufficiently safe. Overall, children make satisfactory progress in their learning. The childminder observes children's achievements and is taking tentative steps to assess the progress they make. Most procedures and records are effective in practice. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation of her practice and demonstrates the ability to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the risk assessment identifies all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 28/03/2011

p.4

further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children, with specific regard to outdoors, are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, equipment and environment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare register). 28/03/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop systems to share information about children's individual learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development when children attend more than one setting to ensure continuity  use observations more consistently to plan for each individual child's learning towards all the early learning goals.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a clear and detailed policy which explains her responsibilities. She has completed safeguarding training and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. The environment is subject to a risk assessment, which is recorded but not fully effective in practice. The childminder has not identified a large trampoline situated in the garden as a hazard or minimised the risk to children. In addition, actions recorded in the risk assessment to safeguard children from risks posed by the summer house, also situated in the garden, have not been adhered to; the summer house is not locked and therefore children can access items such as power tools and tins of paint. This compromises children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

Children benefit from the close relationship that the childminder develops with their parents. A regular two-way flow of information is promoted through some effective systems. For instance, the childminder completes a daily diary for most children recording routines such as sleep, toileting and food and detailing some observations made of their learning. All parents benefit from accessing a clear set of written policies and procedures. On occasions the childminder seeks the views of parents which are detailed in written references kept on file. Parents comment on the caring nature of the childminder who is fair but firm with clear expectations. They also comment on the spacious environment that offers plenty of outdoor space. The childminder understands the benefits children gain from partnership working if they also attend other early years provision. She works closely with the local nursery to ensure transition into school runs smoothly. However, she is not

p.5

the early years provision

fully sharing information ongoing with other providers with regards to children's learning priorities. She has identified this as a target for future improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

Children benefit from accessing a bright and interesting environment. Resources are mostly suitable for children to use and toys are arranged at low level to enable children to access them independently. Children are encouraged to share resources and are developing an understanding of each others needs. The childminder has a broad range of resources which reflect our diverse world and she ensures children learn about all festivals and celebrations. For instance, children enjoy making pumpkin masks from paper plates painted orange for Halloween and make clay tea lights for Diwali. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing her service. She meets with other local childminders and a local authority advisor to keep up to date. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation document and has improved on the previous recommendation. However, she has not identified all areas for future improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing positive relationships with both the childminder and her assistant and with each other. They behave appropriately because she sets clear boundaries for their behaviour and she helps them to understand simple house rules which are recorded and displayed in the setting. The childminder provides children with a varied range of experiences and play activities, both within her setting and in other play settings, which promote their skills for the future appropriately. For example, children enjoy participating in various toddler groups within the community where they are developing their social skills and confidence. The childminder observes all children at play and records the information for some children in their daily diaries and in their scrap books supported by photographs. The observations are linked to the six areas of learning. However, she is not using the information to identify all children's learning towards all the early learning

p.6

and outcomes for children

goals. This may compromise the progress children make.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. Children enjoy accessing fresh air and exercise both within the setting and when they go out for walks in the community. For instance, they enjoy visiting the donkey they have adopted which is cared for at the local sanctuary. Children are able to stroke the donkey and benefit from observing the donkey giving rides to disabled people. This helps them learn to understand the needs of others. Children are provided with a nutritious home- made hot meal every day which contains fresh vegetables and meat. They thoroughly enjoy fresh fruit such as apples and oranges and for dessert and access drinks throughout the day. This helps to keep them well hydrated. Children learn to keep themselves safe sufficiently well. They benefit from visits by the fire department to both the childminder's setting and toddler groups. They particularly enjoy exploring the fire engine. A fire evacuation is practised so that children learn

p.6

and outcomes for children

what to do in the event of a fire or emergency.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different materials and media. For instance, they benefit from exploring spaghetti and consider how it feels differently when glitter is added. Younger children enjoy playing with shredded paper which they pretend is snow, whilst older children learn new skills such as knitting. All children are developing their independence skills as they are able to make choices and explore their environment independently. For instance, some children decide to play in the play tent whilst others select push-along toys which they ride around the playroom. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

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.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take actions as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 28/03/2011

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take actions as specified in the Early Years section of the report(Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 28/03/2011

p.8