Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY442352 Inspection date 17/07/2012 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 2012. She works with her parents, who are both registered childminders, from their home. An adult son also lives on the premises. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than one may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder these numbers are increased. There are currently 14 children on roll, of whom seven are in the early years age group. Children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children over five to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder can take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 settled, happy and secure within their surroundings. Overall, they are well-supported to make good progress in their learning and development. They enjoy fun activities and have access to a range of age-appropriate toys and resources. They are valued and their individuality respected. Positive relationships have been established with parents and other early years settings. The childminder has good systems in place to evaluate her practice and shows commitment to maintaining continuous development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps  expand the range of resources which promote positive images of disability in order to promote children's understanding of the differing needs of others.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of safeguarding issues and her responsibilities about protecting the children in her care. There is a clear safeguarding policy in place which the childminder ensures is shared with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of the home and garden to promote a safe environment for children. Numerous risk assessments for outings to farms, parks and toddler groups are also in place to maintain children's safety. Children freely choose from a good range of quality toys and resources and they access resources which reflect cultural differences. However, these are limited with regards to helping raise children's awareness of people with disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to keeping up-to-date with changes in childcare. She achieves this through training and liaising with other early years practitioners. Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision are in place and the childminder can identify strengths within the setting. She has already implemented a number of improvements since registration and is keen to develop an approach that reflects on how her practice improves outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families. When children are new to the setting she ensures they are given time to settle into her care. She works in close partnership with parents and the effective two-way flow of information ensures she meets children's individual requirements. Parents speak highly of the levels of care their children receive and it is evident from questionnaires that they appreciate and value the service provided. Parents are given a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures when they start to keep them informed. Daily discussions also take place to share the activities and care needs of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other early years professionals. She has formed positive links with the local pre-school, toddler group and other registered childminders. This enables the childminder to support children's continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and have formed good relationships with their peers and the childminder. They are valued as individuals and are helped to feel good about themselves. The childminder provides support, praise and encouragement, while managing their behaviour well. This helps build children's self-esteem. There is a good balance of well planned child-initiated and adult-led activities which encourage children to learn through play. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well. She takes positive steps to find out what interests each child and regularly observes them as they play. However, the information gained from the observations is not used consistently to help plan to meet children's individual needs and their next steps. The childminder has introduced individual learning journals for each child. These include lots of photographic evidence of the activities undertaken and are shared with parents to

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and outcomes for children

keep them informed of their child's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to share and take turns in their play, developing skills which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidence as they independently access toys and resources. They play happily with the dolls and have good opportunities to use their imagination during role- play. For example, children enjoy dressing up as favourite characters or familiar people in the community. The childminder helps children to learn new vocabulary and encourages them to look at books and listen to familiar stories. Children are curious and inquisitive. They like discovering features of the natural world and they show their delight in finding a toad when playing in the garden. The childminder uses the opportunity effectively to help children develop their simple mathematical skills by encouraging them to count the toad's legs.

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and outcomes for children

Children use a range of programmable and electronic toys to help increase their understanding of how things work. They learn through a variety of hands-on experiences and have been involved in planting and nurturing seedlings in the garden. Children enjoy participating in music and movement sessions and are encouraged to appreciate music; they also regularly join in craft activities. Through their play and taking part in interesting activities, such as, topics linked to different festivals and celebrations, children learn respect for others' customs and beliefs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe in different situations. Children learn about fire safety and know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency because the childminder regularly practises this with them. Road safety is discussed in detail and children are encouraged to stop, look and listen at the kerb before crossing the road. Discussions with the local fire service, further enhances children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children learn to lead a healthy lifestyle through daily routines and activities. They are provided with variety of freshly cooked meals and healthy snacks, and drinks are readily available to ensure children remain hydrated. Any food provided by parents is stored appropriately. Children benefit from plenty of opportunities for physical play and have access to a good range of outdoor toys and equipment, which helps to foster their good health. Good use is

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and outcomes for children

made of the well-equipped garden so that children can explore freely and develop their physical skills. 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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