Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 228403 Inspection date 25/01/2012 Inspector Sally Smith

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, five and three years in Great Barr, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor, along with the bathroom on the first floor, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. There is one child attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered to care for children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification to Level 3.

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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

The childminder provides a range of resources and play opportunities enabling her to foster children's learning and development. Through regular consultation with parents, children's individual needs are generally well met. A range of well- organised and comprehensive documentation is in place to inform parents of the provision and service provided; policies and procedures are generally effective in ensuring that children's safety and well-being is promoted. The childminder has clear priorities for improvements to enhance the quality of the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observations further to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and monitor this across all areas  review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well being.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse. An effective safeguarding children policy is in place and the childminder clearly demonstrates how this would be implemented. A risk assessment generally supports the childminder in promoting children's safety within the home. However, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder has not identified all potential risks that children come into contact with, for example, sharp corners on low level units and how these are minimised. All necessary consents are obtained from parents to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. Children learn about fire safety as evacuation drills are practised and an accurate record of their daily attendance is maintained.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are warm and welcoming, a regular exchange takes place verbally at the beginning and end of the day. Written daily diaries provide a two-way exchange of information between the childminding setting and home. This ensures that children's individual needs are met. Questionnaires enable parents to comment on the service provided, highlighting areas of satisfaction or where they feel improvements can be made. There are currently no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, the childminder understands the importance of working with other professionals to provide appropriate support for such children when the need arises.

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the early years provision

Through discussion, it is evident that the childminder is keen to develop and improve the service she provides. She is very enthusiastic about what she does and is keen to promote a quality service for the children in her care. She is committed to training and since her last inspection has obtained an early years qualification to level 3. She works closely with the local authority and seeks the help and support of other childminders in the area to develop her knowledge and skills. She recognises where her targets for improvement lie in order to develop her confidence and competence. For example, she has identified as a priority, further training in planning and assessment to fully support children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is increasing her confidence and skills in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She engages with children well and listens intently to what they have to say, questioning appropriately to consolidate their knowledge. Observations, photographs and examples of children's paintings, drawings and other work are recorded in individual scrapbooks. This information is used to assist the childminder in making links to the six areas of learning. The childminder is beginning to assess the learning taking place, although, she is not confident in using the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan for next steps in children's learning. However, it is evident that the childminder knows children well and, along with her sound understanding of child development, is able to support children's learning well. She is able to clearly demonstrate how her interactions with children provide

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and outcomes for children

appropriate support and challenge. This results in children being happily engaged and interested in all that they do.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the setting through the childminder establishing warm, trusting relationships and familiar routines. These are flexible so that children can follow their interests. They move around their environment freely and the childminder follows the children so that she can provide support. Young children's attempts at first language are appropriately responded to by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder. She listens and responds to the sounds, noises and utterances they make. Rather than correcting children, she sensitively demonstrates pronunciation of words and sentence structure to reinforce children's learning and understanding. This is further enhanced with stories, songs and rhymes. Through action songs, children learn about parts of their body, for example, 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes'. Various programmable resources help them to look at how things work.

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and outcomes for children

Children competently operate a compact disc player, inserting the disc appropriately and pressing the correct buttons for on and off.

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and outcomes for children

Numerous outings enable children to develop their sense of adventure, physical well-being and awareness of the wider world. They regularly visit parks to play and climb the equipment helping to develop large muscle skills. Good use is made of this time to talk about the environment and what they can see, such as, the birds and cars. Outings also help to develop children's social skills and they learn how to behave appropriately. For example, during Chinese New Year children visit a restaurant where they try authentic Chinese food. In addition, visits to local community groups help to develop their confidence as they interact with other children. Whilst out, children learn the importance of safety and why it is important to hold the childminder's hand.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well in the setting and respond to the clear boundaries and routines within the childminder's home. They know that when they have finished with their toys, these must be put away before moving onto something new. Children often do this spontaneously or, if prompted, willingly do as they are asked. They readily make choices whether this is related to their play or when they would like to eat their snack. Young children hold out their hands for anti-bacterial gel and rub their hands together. Children's diets are healthy with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. On occasions they help to prepare food, such as, flapjacks, pizzas and fruit salad, helping to promote a healthy attitude to food.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are comfortable and relaxed in her care. She adequately equips children with the skills they need for their future learning and development. 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: 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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