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 250375 Inspection date 24/06/2009 Inspector Shirley Delaney

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and their adult son in Castle Bromwich, Solihull. The whole of ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to local schools and pre-school groups. The family have a pet guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder receives support from the local authority and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a relevant National Vocational Qualification Level 2 qualification and is currently working towards a Level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to support her practice and promote children’s care and learning effectively. Largely secure records, policies and procedures underpin the service she provides to promote children’s welfare. Partnerships with parents are secure and the childminder has established methods which promote the flow of two-way communication and the sharing of information. This enables her to support children’s unique needs and promote their inclusion. The childminder has begun the process for self-evaluation, examining her service and taking action to develop areas she has identified for improvement, demonstrating a clear commitment to continually improving her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for planning to demonstrate how areas identified for development in children’s learning are extended and used to inform subsequent plans  improve arrangements in place for promoting children’s health by requesting parental permission to seek medical advice in the event of an emergency  develop the system for self-evaluation to promote continual improvement in the service provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder uses her developing knowledge and awareness of the principles and themes of the EYFS to effectively support children’s care, learning and development. She has commitment to her own professional development, attendance of training and in particular completion of vocational courses has had a positive impact on the service the childminder provides to promote children’s welfare and learning. Through the use of a process of self-evaluation the childminder demonstrates some ability to continually improve the service she offers to children and their families by identifying areas in which to make improvements to her practice. However, this process is not extended to involve other interested parties such as children and parents, which reduces opportunities for improvement.

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provision

The childminder has attended recent child protection training and has sound knowledge of procedures for safeguarding children. She gives good attention to the routine completion of risk assessments to ensure that children’s safety is regularly reviewed. She has developed sound policies, records and procedures which largely promote children’s safety, care and welfare. However, whilst the childminder requests parents' permission to seek emergency medical treatment for children in the event of a medical emergency, it is not extended to include permission to seek medical advice. As a consequence, procedures in place to promote children’s health are not extensively thorough.

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provision

There are systems in place for the exchange of information with parents which support joint working to meet the unique needs of every child. Parents are afforded good opportunity to share ongoing information, verbally and through access to written documentation. The two-way flow of information supports the childminder’s ability to build on children’s interests and abilities as identified by their parents. The childminder has experience of providing care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and places importance on the promotion of inclusion for all children. She enables children to develop their knowledge of diversity and differences in the community through access to a range of resources reflecting positive images of people from different cultures and participation in organised activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals, because they are well supported in their play by the childminder who provides them with a wide range of play and learning opportunities. The childminder interacts with children as they play in a manner that is supportive and allows children to build on and extend their own learning experiences. As a consequence children are motivated, interested and inquisitive learners. Children make choices in a familiar environment within which they are aware of the range of resources available to them and their location. The childminder offers children a balanced range of play experiences that covers all areas of learning. This includes play that children can initiate and develop for themselves and activities planned for their participation. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has developed systems for observing children’s interests,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

achievements and abilities and based on these observations she identifies next steps for children’s learning and development. However, whilst she recognises and records next steps for children, she has not developed a systematic approach to using information gathered to influence future plans to build on these areas. This does not ensure children are always challenged to reach their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children present a keen attitude towards being involved and included in activities and their attention to tasks builds on a foundation for their future learning. They demonstrate a fondness for art and craft activities which fuel their imagination and creativity. The childminder’s interaction in children’s play enhances and extends their experience. For example, whilst cutting up straws during the craft activity she extends the activity, by introducing numerical and problem solving challenges for children. The childminder adopts a facilitating, questioning style which supports children’s developing skills in communication, encouraging them to question, think and have confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinion. The children’s self-esteem and confidence is well-supported by the childminder's constant praise and recognition of their achievements. The children are secure within established routines and display an awareness of boundaries and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

expected behaviour. The childminder encourages children to play cooperatively, join in games together and show tolerance and consideration for one another. As a consequence children demonstrate attachments for one another.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop physical skills and gain exercise on a regular basis. They make routine use of the garden and enjoy regular visits to the local park which enables them to make use of a range of equipment and resources that promote the development of physical skills. Outdoor play experiences also offer children occasions to develop their awareness of the natural world around them. For example, they have planted sunflowers and have a developing awareness of how to tend and care for growing plants. Self-care and awareness of their personal health and safety are developed through practices such as applying sun cream before outdoor play and the discussions held around the subject of sun safety and safety in the home. The children benefit from constant access to drinks and the care taken by the childminder to provide them with a varied balanced diet. 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? 3 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

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