Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362273 Inspection date 08/06/2011 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. He lives with his wife and three children, aged 11, two and six years in Birmingham. The childminder works with his wife and an assistant. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes which includes access to toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog. 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 four children at any one time when working alone and seven children when working with his co-minder or assistant. When they are all working together they can care for a total of nine children. The childminder is currently minding six children in the early years age range. He also offers care to several children aged over five years. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has an early years qualification. The family has a dog.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress as they take part in lots of 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 known and met. Good relationships are in place with parents and strong links have been forged with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. Current systems for self evaluation and maintaining children's learning and development records are not fully effective but the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop learning and development records to help form a more accurate view of where children are in their learning and where they need to go next and explore ways of encouraging parents to contribute to their child's learning and development record  develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will help improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works alongside his wife who is also registered as a childminder. They are both experienced childcare professionals and take equal responsibility for the care of minded children. Documentation is maintained well and policies and procedures have been shared with parents. Children are effectively safeguarded. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted and the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder maintains and reviews comprehensive risk assessment records and carries out daily visual safety checks on his home and any resources used for minding. Emergency evacuation procedures are regularly practised and this ensures that all are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire.

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the early years provision

Children flourish in the childminder's care. The warm and welcoming environment that he provides creates an atmosphere that is conducive to both learning and having fun. Children have plenty of space to play and rest and a variety of resources are stored within easy reach of the children. Consequently, their independence and freedom of choice is successfully promoted. Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder has formed good relationships with them and their parents. He exchanges appropriate information about individual children's welfare and development and this helps to ensure consistency of care for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what he does and is keen to promote the best possible outcomes for the children. Recommendations in relation to health and safety that were raised at his last inspection have been fully addressed. The childminder has been successful in gaining a grant to enable major improvements to the garden. These include the addition of a variety of large scale physical play equipment, some safety surfacing and a fenced and decked area adjacent to the rear of the house. The childminder uses a range of methods to informally evaluate his practice and is constantly assessing what he provides and how it could be improved. However, systems for self-evaluation are not fully developed. Consequently, his ability to effectively identify his strengths and priorities for improvement is somewhat impeded.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of building good relationships with others and regularly meets with other childcare professionals to share good practice and exchange ideas. He also uses the internet and childcare publications to gain additional information and to provide inspiration for activities. The childminder does not currently care for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or English as an additional language but demonstrates a positive attitude towards doing so. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected and all children are treated as individuals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points because the childminder knows them really well and is intuitive with regards to their individual needs and personalities. He provides a wealth of fun experiences for children that interest them and help to gain the skills they will need in future life. For example, children go on regular outings to local community groups and through mixing with other people their social skills and confidence are developing well. They participate in a wide variety of creative activities and during the inspection were happily engaged in painting butterfly pictures. All the children were involved and enjoyed exploring the texture of the paint and the patterns they made using paintbrushes and their hands. Children smile and laugh and show by their words and actions that they are at ease in the childminder's care. They happily go to him for comfort, reassurance and support and he is warm and affectionate towards them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes children and through discussion demonstrates a clear awareness of where individual children are at in terms of their learning and development and where he intends to move them on next. Each child has their own individual learning and development record known as their 'Learning Journal' and this contains examples of their artwork, photographs of them involved in play and the childminder's observation records. These are used to build a picture of children's progress over time and help to inform their parents. However, the childminder does not record children's next steps within the journals and parents are not effectively encouraged to contribute to them or the planning, observation and assessment cycle. Consequently, children's learning potential and the ability of parents to support and extend children's learning at home and in the setting is somewhat reduced.

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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 thoughtfully used to teach children about a variety of issues. These include teaching children about health and safety and what happens to various ingredients when they are mixed and cooked. Children enjoy lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They regularly play outside in the childminder's garden and go on frequent outings. Recent outings include a trip to a country park where children went on a bug hunt and took part in 'pond dipping'. Children learn about road safety and 'stranger danger' on outings and this is reinforced through everyday discussion and looking at books. Children behave well and are learning to share and take turns. Their good behaviour and effort is readily acknowledged by the childminder who provides them with a positive role model. The childminder has

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and outcomes for children

a wealth of resources that include positive images of diversity and he encourages all children to value who they are and to show care and consideration for others. They learn about the wider community through general discussion and exploring various religious and cultural festivals. For example, during Chinese New Year children made Chinese lanterns and took part in food tasting activities. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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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 compulsory 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 in respect of complaints procedures and the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 15/06/2011

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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 in respect of complaints procedures and the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 15/06/2011

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