Childminder in SolihullOfsted inspection, 11 May 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY404267 Inspection date 11/05/2012 Inspector Kashma Patel

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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 2010 and lives in the Castle Bromwich area of Birmingham with her husband and two children aged three and 10 years old. There are shops and schools nearby. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The house is accessed by using one small step and there is a ground floor toilet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range and of whom, none may be under one year old. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age range, who attend full and part-time. The childminder also offers care to children over five to 11 years. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder receives support from the local authority and has a level 3 qualification in early years.

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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 well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, where they are respected and valued. They enjoy a good range of activities and play opportunities, which enable children to make good progress in the six areas of learning. In the main, policies, procedures and the required documentation is in place to promote children's welfare, however, the risk assessment does not contain all the required information. Effective partnerships are in place with parents and other settings who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, which contributes to children's learning. Overall, effective systems are in place for monitoring and evaluation, which helps to identify further areas for development.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the record of the risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 31/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the frequency of fire evacuation drills and ensure details are recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve the process of self-evaluation to include the views of parents and children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and signs and symptoms of abuse. This enables her to protect children from harm or neglect. All adults within the home have undergone effective vetting procedures, which include a Criminal Records Bureau check. Daily checks and written procedures for outings, protect children from potential hazards both in the home and out in community. A detailed risk assessment is in place for all areas in the home, which children have access to. However, the risk assessment does not include all the required details such as when and by whom it was last conducted. This is a legal requirement, which is not fully met.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment, which are safe, appropriate and depict equality of opportunity. They are well organised in different areas in the home to enable children to make choices over their play and promote their independence. Children learn about the wider world though regular outings in the community where they learn about different cultures and lifestyles.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships are in place with parents and other providers. For example, parents receive both daily verbal and written feedback on their children's care and learning. A daily diary promotes a two-way flow of information, which ensures that parents are kept well informed of their children's progress and are able to continue their learning at home. Children attend other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage and good systems are in place to support children's care and learning. For example, the childminder and the nursery have set up a chart system to help children settle in the nursery.

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the early years provision

Children's records are well maintained and contain all the required information for their health and safety. They are made available for inspection and kept in a secure place. The childminder has a strong commitment to improvement and professional development. She is able to identify areas of further development, which has improved outcomes for children. For example, she has purchased more safety equipment to further promote children's safety in the home. Learning journals have been updated with more detail and are accessible to parents to ensure that they are fully involved in their progress. Systems to fully involve parents and children in the process of improvement and self-evaluation is an area for further development. The childminder continues to update her knowledge of childcare issues through training and regular attendance at the local childminding groups. These effective measures demonstrate that the childminder has the

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the early years provision

capacity to maintain continuous improvement. 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 happy and settled with the childminder. She has an early years qualification, which enables her to plan a wide range of interesting activities and play opportunities for children in her care. As a result, children make good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder carries out regular observations, which help her plan for the next stage in children's learning. She links observations to different areas of learning and is fully aware of the level of support and challenge needed for individual children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence and self-esteem is well supported. They select toys of their choice and take these into the lounge or hallway. Activities, such as sticking and colouring are set up in the kitchen, which promotes children's creativity. Children use a wide range of materials and textures, such as sequins to stick with. An easel provides opportunities for children to make marks. They use different colour big chalks, which are easy for small hands to hold. Children's writing skills are further supported as they make shopping lists with crayons and pencils. Children express themselves through a wide range of materials, such as gloop, play dough, paint and fake snow, which they add water to. Children enjoy investigating their environment. For example, on outings they look for worms and count the spots on lady birds. This is further supported in the home where children make insects out of paper. Skills for the future develop as children use toy cameras

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and outcomes for children

to take pictures of each other and play with mobile phones. Children are learning to share and take turns with toys and equipment. Their efforts are rewarded with lots of praise from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good physical skills both at home and in the community. For example, in the park they use the large play equipment to develop physical skills. At home, children use a range of equipment, such as, scooters, trikes and pushchairs with increasing control and confidence. Children are actively encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they help tidy away toys and the childminder has started to talk to children about fire safety. However, they do not currently take part in regular fire evacuations. This means that they are not developing an understanding of what to do in an emergency situation.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good balanced and healthy diet, which meets their individual dietary requirements. They enjoy nutritious snacks of fresh fruit, vegetables and raisins. Children's beakers are stored at their level to ensure that they regularly have a drink of water or juice. Good hand washing practices and nappy changing procedures protect children from the risk of cross-infection. 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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