Childminder in Solihull

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250505 Inspection date 27/01/2009 Inspector Angela Dyer

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 has been registered since 1998 and lives with her husband, adult daughter and two children aged three and five years in Shirley, Solihull. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of four children may attend the setting at any one time. There is currently one child attending who is within the early years age range and three children who are between five and 10 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. A wide range of activities, which are informed by observations of children's progress and interests, are planned to encourage children to develop new skills, knowledge and have fun. Most required documentation, including written policies and procedures, are in place and maintained to a suitable level. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and has started to evaluate her own practices through the use of self-evaluation to identify her strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and develop the procedure for carrying out risk assessments  develop further children's observational assessments in order to assist in planning for the next steps in their developmental progress.

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provision

The childminder's home is maintained to a high standard and offers a home from home environment where children are settled. Space is well organised to maximise play opportunities for children and the conservatory has been transformed into a child-friendly and stimulating learning environment. The childminder has a wide range of safe and good-quality resources which are kept in low-level storage to enable children to be able to access them independently. The childminder carries out daily risk assessments of the equipment and home environment. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder also understands the importance of assessing potential risks before going on any outings and has purchased luminous jackets for the children to wear to promote their safety. However, these safety checks are not always formally recorded as required by the early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are

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provision

protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and is vigilant in promoting children's safety.

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provision

The childminder is committed to providing children with high levels of care and ensuring that they are happy in her care. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of childcare and her ongoing commitment to developing and enhancing her practice through attending further training. The childminder has a good knowledge of the children in her care and her knowledge of child development has been extended through the recent completion of an early years qualification. Since the last inspection and moving house the childminder has addressed the recommendations and actions issued and as a result children's safety has been improved. The childminder shows a strong commitment to meeting the requirements of the EYFS and has started to reflect on and evaluate her service to assess and improve the outcomes for children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are positive and friendly and a number of letters of reference illustrate that parents value the levels of care their children receive. A daily diary system ensures that parents are kept informed of their child's care and a folder, containing useful information about her services and procedures, is also available for parents information. The childminder understands the value of working in partnership with other professionals and networks with childminders in the local area in order to share good practices and raise standards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are purposefully involved in their play and consequently are well behaved. The childminder uses suitable strategies for behaviour based upon children's ages and level of understanding. Lots of praise and encouragement is offered to develop children's self-esteem and the childminder acts as a positive role model speaking to children in a calm and respectful manner. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world and are able to access resources reflecting positive images of the diversity of society. Each child is acknowledged as an individual and the childminder demonstrates a positive approach to working with parents and other professionals to ensure that identified needs are met and all children are included.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with good opportunities to help them make strong progress across all areas of learning and development. There is an appropriate balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities ensuring that children are fully involved and motivated to learn. The childminder has a good understanding of the value of play and children enjoy participating in a range of fun activities, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder is interested in children's play and readily gets down to their level to interact with them and encourage their language development. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children in her care and provides activities that reflect their interests. Children have individual records which are used by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder to record observations and whilst this system is in its infancy it is supporting the childminder in planning for children's next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The clean and homely environment enhances children's health and well-being. Children have their dietary needs met as parents provide packed lunches and the childminder offers them a range of healthy fresh fruit snacks. Daily opportunities are in place for children to enjoy a range of experiences outdoors where they benefit from regular fresh air and exercise. For example, visiting the local park, playing in the garden and walking to and from nursery and school. Children are able to have quiet time for sleeping or relaxing throughout the day and benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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