Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228327 Inspection date 31/10/2011 Inspector Julie Preston

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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 1999. She lives with her two adult children in Sutton Coldfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is on the ground floor level. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with her registered assistant together they are registered to care for eight under eight years at any one time, of whom no more then six may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eleven years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides funded early education for two, three and four-year-olds.

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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 are very happy and secure and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder fully promotes an inclusive, healthy and safe environment where she responds to the individual needs and interests of the children. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children develop and learn through play, demonstrating that she fully understands the welfare requirements within her practice and documentation. Very effective partnerships between parents and other agencies ensure individual children's needs are met and their protection assured, with partnerships with schools developing. Successful steps are taken to self-evaluate the provision and the childminder demonstrates a good capacity and enthusiasm for continuous improvement to sustain and develop her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop partnerships with other settings that children attend to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with each other  review activity evaluations to provide next steps for individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children are well protected as she has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She is suitably trained to recognize possible signs of abuse and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, with rigorous procedures implemented to ensure their safety. These include risk assessments, daily safety checks and regular fire evacuation drills. A wide range of clear policies, procedures and records are in place to ensure the safe and efficient running and overall management of the provision. Children's well- being is significantly enhanced due to the organization of the setting. Good use is made of space in the home to provide a wide range of activities and experiences both inside and outside. The childminder provides the children with an extensive range of challenging, exciting experiences and activities. She has an excellent

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the early years provision

range of good quality resources and ensures the environment is stimulating, warm and welcoming.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well aware of children's likes, dislikes and interests through the sensitive settling-in procedure completed with parents and children. This helps the childminder to provide an individualized and exceedingly diverse service with realistic expectations of children, especially children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and individual children's capabilities and plans a range of activities reflecting this and promoting individual children's learning and development. The systems for observation, planning and assessment are implemented well. However, individual next steps for learning are not always clearly identified to best inform future plans. As a result, children are making good progress in most instances and this helps them to develop the necessary skills for their future personal growth and development. She provides weekly planned activities around a specific theme,

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the early years provision

incorporating visits to local toddler groups, the library and visits to places of interest to extend understanding and promote socialization. For example, children are currently learning about the jungle and enjoyed a recent visit to a local zoo to see the animals they have that would normally live in the jungle. Children have daily opportunities to use the outdoor play areas that are well resourced to provide good opportunities for learning. For example, children enjoyed jelly play in the outdoor area, finding the different animals and identifying the type of animal they were.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and other agencies are well established to very effectively support the needs of children. However, links with other settings who provide care for children in the early years are not yet in place to effectively ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with each other. The childminder has developed a strong and very effective relationship with parents, and there is a rigorous two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. Parents receive an extensive range of information about the childminding practice, through sharing policies and procedures during initial visits, noticeboards, daily discussions, regular parents' meetings, information displayed and when joining in with special events. They are well informed about their child's achievements and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress through regular discussions and sharing individual learning journeys.

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the early years provision

Parental input and their views are also sought through questionnaires and ongoing verbal discussions. Parents using the provision commented within questionnaires that the "childcarer is always happy to discuss development on a daily basis' and that the setting 'is a home from home'. The childminder has established a positive vision for her service and regularly reflects on her practice, being committed to continual professional development. She is forward thinking in her determination to maintain and improve the good quality childminding service and has recently attended various courses, including first aid, safer caring and moving and handling. Her understanding of self-evaluation allows her to monitor her strengths and weaknesses to focus on the most significant areas for improvement in order to provide good quality outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive as they are cared for by a well-organized, committed childminder who is dedicated to providing care of the highest quality in a safe and secure environment. A wealth of children's artwork, posters, photographs and pictures are displayed on the walls, making the playroom bright, stimulating and extra welcoming to all. Children have marvelous opportunities to explore, investigate, express curiosity and communicate with others. Children's personal independence is developing rapidly as the childminder encourages children to take care of their own personal needs, such as making choices within activities, managing their clothing and washing their own hands. The extensive range of resources are freely available and stored at low level, including creative equipment which is chosen to use as part of daily activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistant join in with children's play and enjoy being involved, encouraging them to play together share and take turns. As a result, children are enthusiastic and eager to express their skills within construction sessions and when using the small world resources. Access to a wide selection of books and regular trips to the local library enhance children's communication skills. Regular opportunities are provided for children to develop their knowledge of living and growing things. For example, children enjoy planting seeds and watching as their summer flowers grow and develop. Children flourish, with regular trips to various places of interest with the childminder, undertaking visits to places such as the zoo, the local soft play area, local parks and the local library that provide opportunities for socialisation. Children are supported to learn how to keep themselves fit. They enjoy a good range of both indoor and outdoor physical

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and outcomes for children

activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Children have free access to drinks and enjoy a balanced diet within meals and snacks provided. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, for example, washing hands after using the toilet, after messy play and before eating.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress and celebrate their achievements as the childminder provides them with lots of praise and encouragement. She uses daily routines to extend the children's learning experiences, such as, asking them to help tidy toys away and put their own coats on. Children are encouraged to make decisions and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 select their own toys and resources. They use them imaginatively as part of their play. For example, children enjoy caring for their dolls and taking them for walks in their pushchairs. Children understand the importance of keeping safe and respect the house rules and the childminder extends children's understanding very effectively, for example, asking the fire officer to visit to share information on fire safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative and readily paint and make their own collage pictures. They excitedly take part in their role play, and photographs record children's activities over time. Children have frequent opportunities to extend their understanding of the society in which they live through visits, discussion, sharing experiences, stories and increasing their awareness of culture and minority groups. For example, children learn about different cultures by celebrating a range of festivals. 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 1 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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: 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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