Childminder in Birmingham

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

The childminder warmly welcomes children into this relaxed and homely environment where they feel safe and confident to explore their surroundings. The childminder gives children plenty of opportunities to increase their negotiation skills. For example, children work incredibly well together as they carry items to help set up the climbing equipment. The childminder places a sharp focus on giving children extra responsibilities to help increase their self-help skills. For example, children are eager to spread, fill and cut their sandwiches for lunch and work well together as a group.

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The provision is good

The childminder skilfully adapts her teaching according to the ages and ability of children and they make good progress in their learning. Activities are sequenced well to build on children's previous learning and to extend their learning further. The childminder has a deep subject knowledge of how plants grow and helps children understand the stages of plants from seedlings to fruit. For example, children are motivated to learn about the parts of the tomato plant and their function. The childminder skilfully introduces new concepts and vocabulary and children use words such as seeds, seedlings, leaves, decompose and nutrients. The childminder places a strong focus on incorporating mathematical learning through the activities that children enjoy most. For example, the most-able children independently count the 39 leaves on the tomato plant, use mathematical language as they play and thoroughly enjoy number rhymes.

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need to do better?

n The childminder takes the lead on providing exciting learning opportunities across all areas of learning. She creatively incorporates the natural environment into the educational programme to help inspire children to learn. The childminder has a deep knowledge of how to provide children with excellent first-hand experiences to learn about the changing seasons, new life and decay. For example, children benefit from using the allotment and learn about life cycles as they care for vegetables and collect eggs from hens in the garden. n The well-qualified and experienced childminder has a clear overview of each child's development and progress. She identifies their next steps in learning and uses them during activities to help children make good progress. Strong partnership working with parents helps her adopt an inclusive approach and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are fully included

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need to do better?

during all activities. Children make good progress from their starting points and catch up quickly. n The childminder shares her observations of what children can do and their assessment information to help include children's parents in their learning. Parents are impressed by the level of progress their children make, especially in

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need to do better?

8 July 2024 their communication and language. They state the childminder values the uniqueness of each child and builds a genuine connection with them. They are impressed by the value the childminder places on children learning about kindness and showing compassion to others. n The childminder places a high focus on teaching children about the importance of healthy eating and staying healthy. For example, children care for the various vegetables and fruits in the allotment and understand about the benefits of fresh produce. The childminder makes freshly prepared healthy and nutritious meals, often from the produce grown. Children have plenty of opportunities to test and extend their physical skills as they use a challenging range of physical play equipment. n The childminder shows a strong commitment to continuous improvement. For example, she is a member of a number of online forums and attends regular

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need to do better?

training to keep her knowledge up to date. She works with an assistant and a co-childminder and there is an effective induction process in place to ensure they are clear about their roles and responsibilities. However, the childminder does not use an ongoing cycle of self-evaluation to help her identify with each of them further areas for development to enhance their teaching further. n The childminder creatively uses age-appropriate opportunities for children to learn about their own and others' families and cultures. For example, children share photos of their family holidays and listen to a variety of cultural music and taste cultural foods. The childminder works closely with parents of children who speak English as an additional language. For example, the childminder obtains words in children's home languages to help them settle and uses photos and picture cards to help build on their English vocabulary. There are effective

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need to do better?

systems in place to help these children progress. However, the childminder does not consistently use these children's interests to help inspire them to join in and make the very most of the experiences on offer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen the cycle of self-evaluation to help identify areas of development with the assistant and co-childminder to further enhance the quality of teaching n plan precisely for children who speak English as an additional language to inspire them to join in and make the most of the experiences on offer.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 550021 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10355359 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection 27 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Birmingham. She works with her husband, who is her co-childminder, and she occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder and her co-childminder both hold a childcare qualification at level 3. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk together to gather information about the experiences provided. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation and held discussions with the childminder. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of adults living in the household and working on the premises. n The inspector took into account the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

8 July 2024 regulates and inspects 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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