Childminder in SolihullOfsted inspection, 11 Feb 2009

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 EY103307 Inspection date 11/02/2009 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and teenage son in the residential area of Shirley, West Midlands. She occasionally works with her daughter who is her assistant. There are local shops and bus routes within a short walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and a first floor bathroom, toilet and bedroom. There is a low step to the entrance to the property and stairs to the first floor. The garden is currently not in use but children go on regular walks and visits to local parks. The family has a cat, chinchilla, turtles and a goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to and from local schools and nurseries to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups on a regular basis. She has an National Vocational Qualification Level 4 and is working towards a Level 5 qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Solihull Childminding Network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare, learning and development are successfully promoted by the childminder. They are happy and settled because the childminder is kind and welcoming, providing them with a wide range of activities in the home and at other venues, which reflect each child's abilities and interests. In particular, children's develop a very good understanding of health and safety matters, and enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air. The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to maintaining and developing her good quality provision. She acts on her evaluations of her practice and regularly attends training courses, including enhancing her early years qualifications, currently working towards a National Vocational Qualification Level 5.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of toys and resources in order to extend children's concentration and their ability to select and use resources independently  improve assessment arrangements to clearly identify each child's learning priorities and in order to plan relevant learning experiences for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are fully safeguarded because the childminder has been proactive about improving her understanding of child protection procedures since the last inspection. She makes sure parents understand her responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare, and she consistently and carefully monitors children's well-being and behaviour. Parents are reassured about her suitability and of other members of the household because the childminder clearly explains vetting arrangements, and details of her registration, qualifications and experience. Children are further safeguarded by the childminder's effective record keeping. This means she has all required information about children and their families, and parents' wishes are reflected in the consents and agreements she obtains.

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provision

Children's health and safety are given very high priority. The childminder's risk assessments, regular checks and procedures for daily walks and off-site visits are exemplary. Children have a very good understanding of safety issues. For example, they follow the childminder's requests whilst they all get ready for going out to different venues. From an early age children develop a comprehensive understanding of road safety whilst travelling in a pushchair or as they walk sensibly beside her. Children are also well prepared for emergency situations, taking part in carefully prepared and discussed practise evacuations. Children's health and well-being are supported by the childminder's sound knowledge of their individual medical and dietary needs, and her effective systems for ensuring they have prompt appropriate treatment should they become unwell, have an accident or require medication.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's successful partnership with parents. She ensures parents are well informed about her provision and their children's achievements. Parents and the childminder work together to ensure children's routines, including meals, are well managed so that each child is comfortable and well nourished. Parents' views are encouraged and acted upon such as the childminder's requests for feedback on the effectiveness of health and safety games she devised for them to play with their children at home.

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provision

Children and families are consistently provided with high quality childminding because the childminder is dedicated to keeping up to date. She is currently working towards a National Vocational Qualification Level 5 and regularly attends training, readily taking on board ideas and implementing good practice from sessions such as working with parents to ensure that meals are healthy and meet food safety requirements. She consistently monitors and evaluates her learning, development, health and safety procedures, and has fully addressed recommendations agreed at the last inspection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals and in all aspects of their development. The childminder plans a rewarding programme of activities. Children are confident and settle quickly because the childminder reflects their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interests in the selection of toys and activities. However, the organisation, and at times the layout of toys, sometimes inhibits children's choice and concentration because, for example, the play area can become untidy so that one activity impinges on another. In other respects, children get a lot out of the activities and toys provided because of the childminder's involvement in their play. Her adept questioning and explanations promote children's interest, help them to persevere and extend their understanding and vocabulary, for example, when completing more complex puzzles. Daily walks are enjoyable and interesting because children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and the childminder observe and discuss a wide range of features within the local community. The childminder helps children to make links to the current topic such as 'people who help us', as they watch and talk about individuals delivering the post, working on a car engine or shredding wood. When they get back to the childminder's home, everyone enjoys contributing to a record of drawings, cut out pictures and collages using natural materials, which illustrate what they have observed. Older and more able children help the childminder to write brief descriptions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's progress is supported by the childminder's effective planning, and her ability to adapt her approaches and activities to cater for individual abilities. She has appropriate guidance and contacts which help her to successfully support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder's discussions with parents and her observations ensure she knows children's starting points, but each child's learning priorities are not always clearly identified. However, parents are well informed about their children's achievements and they and the childminder work together to ensure children progress at their pace. Children also benefit because the childminder has effective contacts with other settings they attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's life skills are successfully promoted. They are confident speakers, comfortably work out practical problems, and enjoy finding out how things work and change. Children behave well and have positive relationships with each other and the childminder. They play cooperatively and are helpful, for example, assisting with clearing away and in getting ready to go out. Children enjoy learning about features of their own and other people's lives through discussions, looking at books and taking part in celebrations such as Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year. Children have a very good understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, confidently using varied and challenging physical equipment. They know which foods and drinks are good for their health and reflect this in their choices at meal times. 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? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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

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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 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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