Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 228404 Inspection date 18/03/2011 Inspector Carol Johnson

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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Erdington. The childminder works with three assistants. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and an upstairs bathroom and a bedroom used for sleeping children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in this age group. The childminder walks to local play groups and schools to take and collect children.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is working towards an appropriate early years qualification. The family has a dog.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress as they take part in interesting and rewarding activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. They are happy and settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are known and met. Good relationships are in place with parents and the childminder is well aware of the value of working in partnership with other professionals. Current systems for self-evaluation and planning, observation and assessment are not fully effective but the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop strategies used for self-evaluation and use quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review  develop methods for recording observations to help plan experiences and to decide how best to identify areas in which the child's development is expected, as well as those where further encouragement or more support may be required.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder affords a high priority to safety and her home is safe and secure. She visually checks her equipment and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises and risk assessment records include required detail. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues and has attended relevant training. All adults in her home have been suitably vetted and clear systems are in place to ensure that children are only released into the care of known individuals. Documentation to ensure the safe and efficient management of her setting is maintained well.

p.4

the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and experience. She has attended a variety of training courses to enhance her provision and is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The childminder employs three assistants and this enables her to offer children a good level of support and supervision. She ensures that they are well-informed with regard to her policies and procedures and that they work well together. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement and quality and is a member of the Birmingham 'Children Come First Childminding Network'. She uses a range of methods to help evaluate her practice and has completed the Ofsted self- evaluation form. The childminder is keen to extend her self-evaluation methods and intends to introduce parental questionnaires to help inform the process. Consequently, her ability to identify her strengths and priorities for improvement

p.5

the early years provision

will be enhanced. Recommendations raised at the childminder's last inspection have been fully addressed and as a result outcomes for children have improved.

p.5

the early years provision

Children receive consistency of care because the childminder maintains regular two-way communication with parents and others involved in children's care and education. She has forged strong relationships with staff at other settings children attend and this promotes continuity and consistency of care. They exchange appropriate information about children's progress, welfare and experiences. Good relationships are in place with parents. Several parents and some of the older children provided letters to contribute to the childminder's inspection and these contained lots of positive comments. For example, parents commented on the excellent relationships the childminder has with their children and her clean and safe home. Children remarked on the wide variety of toys and her 'fantastic sandwiches'. The childminder treats all children as individuals and takes the time and effort to find out about their personalities, needs and preferences. She then

p.5

the early years provision

carefully uses this information to ensure that experiences provided are suitable, safe and stimulating. She has a vast array of toys and resources and children have plenty of space to play and rest. The childminder has been successful in obtaining a grant to enhance her resources and intends to purchase a range of equipment including a new laptop and a variety of imaginary play items.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and are having lots of fun. They are at ease with the childminder and her assistants and happily go to them for comfort, reassurance and support. The childminder provides a wealth of fun experiences that help children gain the skills they will need in future life. For example, their social skills are fostered as they regularly mix with other children and adults and their language is developing as they look at books and engage in conversation. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 behave well and the childminder provides children with an excellent role model to follow. She has a calm and caring nature and encourages good manners and respect. House rules are shared with the children and these are reinforced through discussions and gentle reminders. For example, children are asked not to climb on the furniture and they are told that this is because they may damage it or fall and

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children in her care well. She sensitively observes children as they play and provides experiences that she knows will interest them and help them learn. She talks to their parents and asks children what they would like to do. Children's independence and freedom of choice is promoted because a good selection of resources is easily accessible them. The childminder has created individual learning and development records for each of the children and these are shared with their parents. These records contain some photographs of the children and brief descriptions of things she has observed. However, information within these is limited and parents are not actively invited to contribute to the records. Also, the childminder has yet to devise a system whereby she can clearly assess individual children's progress and plan for the next steps in their learning. Consequently, children's learning potential is somewhat reduced.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They receive healthy meals, and snacks and drinks are readily available. Cookery activities take place on a regular basis and these are cleverly used to teach children about a variety of issues. These include teaching children about what happens to various ingredients when they are mixed and cooked and health and safety. The childminder is well aware of the learning potential of everyday situations and uses outings to reinforce road safety and also to raise children's awareness of nature. Children enjoy daily outdoor play and go on walks to feed the ducks and to local parks. Children are learning about the wider world in meaningful ways, for example, through discussion, looking at books and imaginary play. The childminder has a wealth of resources that include positive images of diversity and she encourages all children to value who they are and to show care and consideration for others.

p.6

and outcomes for children

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

p.7

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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8