Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY342018 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 2006. He lives with his wife, who is a co- childminder and two children aged two and six years. They live in Oldbury within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. One first floor bedroom is used for sleeping when providing overnight care. 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 four children, when working alone. He minds with a co-childminder and together they can care for a maximum of seven children. Currently the childminder is caring for seven children, one of whom is within the early years age range. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for a maximum of two children under eight years. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. He is able to take and collect children from the local school.

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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 are happy and settled and have formed positive relationships with the childminder and his co-minder. Children have access to variety of age-appropriate toys and resources to help them progress. Children benefit from the close relationship the childminder has with parents which ensures their individual needs are met. Policies and procedures are generally effective. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving and developing his practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop observational assessments in order to plan for children's individual needs and help them make progress towards the six areas of learning  ensure a suitable paediatric first aid course is completed as soon as training is available  develop further the range of resources to promote children's understanding of the wider world, with particular regard to disabilities  develop the processes for evaluating the quality of the practice in order to identify strengths and prioritise areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has all the necessary information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary. The childminder has implemented a written risk assessment which has been carried out on the property and children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Toys and resources are well-organised and most can be easily accessed to enable children to make independent choices. Children are encouraged to respect each other and develop an understanding of each others differences. They are helped to value diversity and have access to a range of resources, play opportunities and activities which acknowledge cultural differences. However, resources are limited with regards to helping raise children's awareness of people with disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder and his co-minder have devised a set of policies to cover many aspects of their service which are shared with parents. Parents are emailed a copy of the policies when they start to attend to ensure they are fully aware of the service provided. The childminder works in close partnership with his co-minder and parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. This helps ensure children are settled and secure. The childminder exchanges information with parents on a regular basis to ensure they are fully informed of their child's care routine. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and holds a Level 3 childcare qualification. However, his first aid certificate has lapsed and although, the childminder regularly reflects on the service that he and his co-minder provides, a process for evaluating the strengths and areas for improvement of the setting has not been implemented.

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the early years provision

Documentation is effectively organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive relationships with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children to ensure children's needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and warm caring relationships between the childminder, his co- minder and the children are evident. Children are relaxed and settled; this enables them to make progress in their personal, social and emotional development. They are provided with a suitable range of age-appropriate toys and activities to encourage children to learn through play. The childminder and his co-minder have started to carry out observations of children's play. However, the information gained from the observations is not sufficiently linked to the areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and planned for. Children learn to play together and socialise and the childminder talks to them about sharing and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 being kind to each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop independence skills as they are able to make choices about their play and explore their environment independently. The childminder talks to them sensitively to encourage their language development and books are easily accessible and well used. Children develop their physical skills as they learn to hold play dough utensils, crayons and paint brushes correctly. They have access to shape sorters and construction sets to help develop their simple problem solving skills. Children enjoy using their imagination in role play and sometimes take on roles of those familiar in the community, such as a doctor. Children are encouraged to be creative through a range of craft activities and children's work and posters displayed around the home help them to feel a sense of belonging. Children also benefit from activities outside the childminder's home, such as walks to the local library and park where they are provided with plenty of opportunities

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and outcomes for children

to further develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of how to stay safe. They regularly participate in fire drills to ensure they know what to do in the event of an emergency and are learning about road safety. Through daily routines children begin to develop good hygiene practices; they are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day and the use of individual towels ensure the risk of cross-contamination is reduced. Children's individual dietary needs are established on admission and are fully supported by the childminder. Meals are freshly prepared using organic food to help promote children's health. Children are learning about healthy lifestyles as the childminder talks to them about eating fresh fruit and vegetables and why exercise is good for them. 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 2 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 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 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: Met

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