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 EY303004 Inspection date 04/06/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 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 with Ofsted since 2005. She lives in Castle Bromwich with her husband, adult son and children aged 15 and 13 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor and access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. The childminder has systems in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for children, where they are suitably protected through generally sound everyday procedures and practices. Children have access to a wide range of resources and enjoy a variety of experiences, which appropriately meet their needs and help them to make satisfactory progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder has started to observe and assess the children in her care and exchanges general information, with their parents and carers, on a regular basis. The childminder demonstrates a sound capacity for improvement but has yet to devise an effective system to evaluate her practice in order to enhance the service provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop strategies for partnership working with parents and others to ensure effective continuity and progression for children  develop understanding and confidence in completing continual observational assessment in order to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide parents with information about the procedure to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect a child at the appointed time and obtain information from parents in respect of who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/06/2009  carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/06/2009

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provision

The childminder's organisation of her provision is sound and ensures that children receive care which is safe and reliable. The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to her conditions of registration and children are supervised well. However, their safety and welfare are not fully assured because some legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are not met. The childminder generally considers some of the risks associated with outings and takes first aid supplies, her mobile phone and parents’ emergency contact numbers out with her. However, she does not carry out a full risk assessment before each type of outing or review her risk assessment before each specific outing. Also, the childminder has not shared information with parents about the procedures she would follow should they fail to collect their child at the appointed time.

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provision

Children have sufficient space to play and rest. The childminder carries out daily visual safety checks in respect of her home and equipment and a range of safety precautions are in place. For example, hazardous items are stored out of children’s reach and smoke detectors are in place and regularly checked. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection and has obtained a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board contact numbers and procedures. Documentation is appropriately maintained and a range of written policies, shared with parents, suitably support her everyday practice. The childminder demonstrates a general awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and is keen to improve her service. She has suitably addressed all recommendations raised at her last inspection and has recently embarked on a Level Two childcare qualification. However, her ability to bring

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provision

about continuous qualitative improvement is impeded because she has yet to devise an effective system for evaluating all aspects of her provision.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory. Most information is exchanged verbally but the childminder has devised a collection of written policies and procedures that she shares with parents when their children start at her setting. Regular two-way communication between the childminder and parents ensures that children's needs are known and met. Some children in the childminder's care also attend other settings delivering the EYFS and the childminder has begun to forge links with staff at these settings. For example, they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 exchange general information about children’s welfare and she has met with staff from the local school to discuss consistent ways of recording individual children’s progress and achievements. However, her potential for effectively offering consistency of care and supporting children's progress is reduced because

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provision

strategies for developing her partnership with parents and others are not yet fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is suitably promoted because they are cared for in a clean, warm and homely environment. The childminder adopts a calm and sensitive approach with the children and they happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support. Children enjoy equal access to a good variety of appropriate, safe and stimulating toys and the use of some child-height toy storage enables them to make some independent choices about their play and learning. Children enjoy a suitable balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities and are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Everyday routines, such as mealtimes and rest generally follow the same pattern and help to provide children with security and consistency as they are able to predict what is likely to happen next throughout the day. Experiences enjoyed by the children include cookery, a variety of craft activities and outings to the local library. They are learning to care for the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

environment as they help to recycle paper, plastic and glass and this is reinforced through trips to local recycling facilities. Children regularly walk to and from school and this provides them with plenty of fresh air and physical exercise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children in her care and fosters their individual needs appropriately. She is aware of their personalities, preferences and interests and suitably considers these when informally planning experiences. The childminder talks to parents about what their children know, can do, and like and this helps her to assess children's individual starting points in their learning and development. She has started to record her observations of the children and is beginning to assess their progress towards the early learning goals. However, record keeping in this respect is still in its infancy and the childminder lacks confidence in how to effectively observe and assess children and move them on next to the next steps in their learning. Consequently, children may not be fully supported or challenged to reach their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and the childminder reminds them why rules to protect their health and safety are in place. For example, she reminds them not to run in the home in case they should fall or trip and to always wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals to protect themselves from germs. Children are eager to learn and are suitably gaining skills for the future. Older children demonstrate good computer skills and understand how to operate a mouse and follow simple on-screen instructions. They have supervised access to the internet and enjoy playing educational games that help them to recognise numbers, colours and patterns. The childminder inspires children’s confidence and self-esteem through offering lots of praise and encouragement for both achievement and effort. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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

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