Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY341751 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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 2006. She lives with her husband, 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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children when working alone. She 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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

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

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 have formed effective relationships with the childminder and her co-minder. They have access to well-resourced playrooms and a range of age-appropriate toys to help them make progress. Positive relationships have been formed with parents which ensures children's individual needs are met. Policies and procedures are generally effective. The childminder is committed to improving and developing her practice.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

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  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

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of procedures to follow in relation to safeguarding. She is aware of the various signs and symptoms of abuse and of the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. The childminder carries out daily checks and regular risk assessments on all aspects of the home used by the children and all outings to ensure their safety is protected. Children have access to a range of toys and resources which are well organised to ensure they are able to access them independently.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. She holds a Level 3 childcare qualification and is working towards an early years foundation degree. Although, the childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and has met the recommendations made at the previous inspection, there is no system currently in place to evaluate the quality of the provision and its impact upon children's development and learning. The planning of activities is flexible and develops through the individual interests and play preferences of the children. This ensures that children benefit from a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Children are helped to consider and 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.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a variety of written policies and procedures in place which she ensures are shared with parents. The childminder and her co-minder, work well in partnership with parents to maintain a two-way-flow of information. She has a clear system in place to gather information from parents regarding children's individual needs from the outset and effective settling-in arrangements ensure children are happy to be left with both childminders. 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 and has formed links with the local school, nursery and other childminders.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are settled and content in the childminder's care. They are provided with a suitable range of age-appropriate toys and activities to encourage children to have fun. The childminder has started to carry out observations of children's play. However, the information gained from them is not sufficiently linked to the areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and planned for. The childminder encourages children to be considerate of others, share and take turns. She aims to ensure that children always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts; this helps build their self-esteem.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children develop independence skills as they are able to make choices about their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play and explore their environment independently. The childminder talks to them sensitively to encourage their language development and books are 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 and enjoy counting as the childminder throws the ball for them to catch. Children are able to express themselves as they play with role play equipment and love dressing up and using medical sets. They happily involve the childminder in their play, pretending to take her blood. Children are encouraged to be creative through a range of craft activities, and children's work and posters displayed around the

p.5

and outcomes for children

home help them to feel a sense of belonging. Children explore a variety of living things and have planted various herbs and watched as they grow. They also benefit from activities outside the childminder's home, for example, they frequently go for walks to the local library and park where they are provided with plenty of opportunities to further develop their physical skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they 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 before eating and after using the toilet. Children's individual dietary needs are established on admission and are fully supported by the childminder. Meals are freshly prepared and the childminder uses 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

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 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

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 2 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: 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