Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26/09/2014 21/10/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Teaching is outstanding because the childminder makes excellent use of accurate observations and assessments, in order to plan stimulating activities and experiences based on children's individual interests and development needs. Children thrive exceptionally well, making rapid progress in their learning and development.  All children are warmly welcomed and fully included in the life of the setting. They are respected as individuals and treated with care, and their emotional security is given high priority. Relationships with the practitioners are warm and nurturing.  All children are warmly welcomed and fully included in the life of the setting. They are respected as individuals and treated with care, and their emotional security is given high priority. Relationships with the practitioners are warm and nurturing.  The exceptional partnership working with parents and local schools ensures that

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This provision is outstanding

children have their individual needs met and are very well prepared when they move on to school because the childminder shares detailed information about their progress, interests and any specific needs.  The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her commitment to continuous professional development ensures that children are extremely protected and their safeguarding and welfare requirements are provided for at a high standard.  The childminder regularly evaluates the provision and carefully monitors and reviews practice to make ongoing improvements ensuring that children receive the very best care and learning opportunities.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke with the childminder's assistant during the inspection.  The inspector observed activities in the playrooms and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journal records, planning documentation, the childminder's self-evaluation form and a selection of policies and children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers from information included in the childminder's own parent survey.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder, her assistants and other adults in the household.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2000 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, and 2 children in a semi-detached house situated in in the Hall Green area of Birmingham which has an enclosed area available for outdoor play. The childminder holds appropriate early years qualifications at level three. She is registered to work with assistants and currently employs two members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level two. The childminder operates Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.15am till 6.15pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently 21 children on roll, 12 of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance children's autonomous learning experiences to the optimum by enabling them to contribute to their own developmental profiles by, for example, taking their own photographs of aspects of their lives that interest them, such as the environment, their families and each other.

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who attend

Children make excellent progress in their learning and development supported by the strong and inspired teaching delivered by the childminder and her assistants. Children enjoy a wide range of highly stimulating activities in the indoor and outdoor area, including, a home corner and grassed area where they are able to catch and throw large balls. Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development because the setting's approach is inspirational. In depth observations and assessments are used to identify children's starting points, ongoing progress and next steps. This ensures that each child's assessments are accurate and as up to date as possible and that they are being appropriately challenged at every opportunity. The childminder is highly experienced and has high expectations of children and consistently engages children by extending activities using next steps. For example, when children show a specific interest in balloons, the

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who attend

childminder plans activities that enable children to play with the items and watch them floating into the sky. The childminder extends the children's language skills by asking appropriate questions and therefore, children think about what and why they are doing things, such as exploring mini beasts in a miniature garden.

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who attend

The childminder has exceptional educational programmes which focus on children's individual needs and interests. Planning is closely linked with a local nursery and school to ensure continuity for children who also attend these settings. All about me profiles are used so that children's learning is observed and recorded for timely assessments, such as, the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, and transition reports for when children move to the next stage of their learning. Learning is accurately measured and tracked and therefore children make consistent progress. The childminder and her staff have high levels of knowledge and understanding with regards to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The prime areas are used as a focus for the younger children laying the foundations for exploring the specific areas with older children as their learning expands. Parents are involved in children's learning, for example, the childminder works in

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who attend

partnership whilst carrying out assessments. Daily feedback is exchanged at arrival and home-time. The childminder also uses other means of communicating with parents such as regular newsletters and email.

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who attend

The environment is highly stimulating, which promotes learning in the indoor and outdoor area, offering challenges that children can manage, for example, they are able to take out and choose resources and toys of their own choice. The childminder provides imaginative experiences for the children. While exploring the treasure box, children take appropriate risks under the supervision of staff as they move pieces of rock making connections to sea shells and sea weed from the box. Children are eager to learn and ask lots of questions during activities. They are inquisitive and want to know because they are motivated to learn, enthused by the childminder and her staff. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported to a high level as staff supports their acquisition of spoken English very strongly. High levels of appropriate interventions and are in place for children who have learning difficulties such as the use of speech and language therapy.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children benefit from extremely warm and secure attachments with the childminder and her staff. Caring and meaningful relationships are formed as a result of the childminder's high levels of attention and interaction with the children while providing a stimulating environment. The childminder places a very high priority on ensuring children have a successful introduction to the setting, so that every child's individual needs are completely known and are met. The childminder makes it a priority to get to know children and their families in order to ensure they can support the child in the most effective way. This is due to having highly effective procedures and skilled key persons in her staff, to ensure that children are extremely well prepared for their next stage in learning. Settling-in periods are remembered by children as positive experiences as, for example, a child recalls being supported by a grandparent during the first few days of attendance.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn about the need for healthy food and fresh air and the effects of exercise on their bodies as they participate in daily outdoor activities. The childminder encourages high levels of children's health and wellbeing by encouraging independent hand washing before lunch. Children help with giving out cutlery which again encourages independence. Children are given choices of food and also serve each other. The childminder and her assistants make mealtimes an enjoyable experience as they read stories and show children pictures of what they are about to eat. Children happily talk about what they have been doing throughout the morning and then talk about their favourite foods. Younger children are encouraged to say thank you, in their own way, after they have been given their food which shows that children are taught values by the childminder and her staff from an early age. Children are confident to ask for snacks during their play and this is happily

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

accommodated by the childminder. Children demonstrate high levels of independence. They clear away their plates and cutlery after lunch, pour themselves drinks throughout the day and self-select resources. Children have a good understanding of safety because staff support them in looking after their environment. Children know where items belong and tidy up after they have finished playing. Staff work with parents and encourage children to use the toilet independently so that they are fully trained ready for school. Children's excellent behaviour is fostered by continuous staff development. Children are extremely comfortable with routines and feel very secure as the adults use praise and encouragement to promote their positive behaviour.

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provision

The childminder and her staff have a very comprehensive understanding of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means they are absolutely confident about their particular roles and responsibilities. Robust recruitment ensures that the childminder's staff are suitable to work with young children, including having Disclosure and Barring Service checks in place. Staff's ongoing suitability is closely monitored during supervisions, appraisals and meetings. The childminder and her assistants have very secure safeguarding knowledge and this means they are alert to the possible signs that children may be at risk and understand how to record, report and refer concerns to the relevant agencies. There are clear safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures that are followed by all. Parents are aware of the childminder's mobile phone policy and know that she does not allow these to be used around children. The

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provision

childminder and her staff have current and appropriate safeguarding training which further safeguards children from harm. The childminder uses training that she has attended to inform parents of her duty of care. She also provides information, such as, newsletters, to update them on safeguarding changes within the Birmingham area thus constantly improving awareness and practice. Children's safety is further enhanced by the regular and thorough risk assessments. Meticulous documentation means the day-to-day management runs smoothly and children are very well protected. Rigorous monitoring of the environment means the childminder and her staff are deployed exceedingly well ensuring they are perfectly placed to protect children and to optimise learning.

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provision

The childminder uses meetings with her staff to monitor and evaluate the setting. During supervisions and meetings which are carried out regularly, improvement is discussed and documented. Recently the meetings have been focused on looking at how space is used in the setting and, as a result, the childminder is extending her building so that there will be a dedicated space for the children. The childminder constantly looks for ways of building on children's development. An example of this is that the childminder has met recommendations from the last inspection such as ensuring that medication records are kept and that children's safety is paramount at all times. Children benefit greatly from the excellent partnerships working between the childminder, her staff and their parents and as a result individual needs are consistently being met. Parents input and suggestions are fully valued and the childminder works very hard to

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provision

provide an individual service for each child's unique needs. Parents report highly about the care their children receive, about how committed and friendly the childminder and her staff are and about the progress their children have made since starting at the setting. The strong partnerships with local schools and other agencies, who are involved with some of the children, are highly effective in ensuring a consistent approach is fostered. This ensures a smooth transition for each child when they move onto school. The childminder and her staff work to a consistently high standard and the childminder is continually inspired to enhance the service she offers to the children. She reflects on her provision and evaluates constantly and this results in very well-targeted plans for the future being identified. She continually strives to ensure that she meets the needs of all the children on roll, supporting them in reaching their full potential.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 227523 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 866334 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 21

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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