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 EY319788 Inspection date 11/05/2009 Inspector Elenora Griffin

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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 registered in 2005 and lives with her mother and two adult siblings in Solihull in the West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a small step up to the main and rear entrances to the premises but there is level access to all indoor areas used, including toilet facilities. The childminder works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play and children regularly go on outings, walks and attend various toddler activities. Children can be taken and collected from local schools and pre-school settings. The family have two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and there are currently two children attending who are in the early years age group. The childminder also looks after children aged over five years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll in this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a National Vocational Qualification Level 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development and is working towards a Level 5 qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy being cared for in a bright, child-centred environment. The childminder works closely with parents, carers and her co-childminder to ensure that all children have their care needs and routines effectively met. Working closely as a team, the childminders provide a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities and experiences that support children to make good progress in their learning and development. Joint working enables the childminders to provide greater one-to-one support for children, ensuring that they are all well-supported to fully participate in the setting. Continuous development is generally well supported through reflective practice and driven through participation in ongoing professional development training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop arrangements for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of inclusive practices to ensure that children's own cultures and languages are fully reflected in everyday practice  develop planning further in order to build upon children's individual next steps across the six areas of learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit from good partnership working with parents and carers. Parents and carers are well informed about the provision for their children. The childminder ensures that are fully aware of the working arrangements between the childminder, her co-childminder and the co-childminder's assistant. The childminder's have jointly developed clear, comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure that children experience continuity and consistency in their care. Key policies and procedures are shared with parents and carers so that they know what to expect and when they provide consents, these apply to all of the people looking after their child. Good communication with parents and carers is supported through regular chats and the use of daily diary sheets that include information about children's activities, experiences and care routines. The childminder encourages parents and carers to share information about their children and has

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provision

started to share children's individual progress records with them. These beautifully created records include photographs of the children's activities, observations and samples of their artwork.

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provision

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to continuous professional development training. She is working towards a Level 5 qualification in leadership and management and is accessing various training opportunities to improve her knowledge and understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Participation in ongoing training promotes reflective practice which she discusses with her co-childminder in order to evaluate their practice and identify clear priorities for future improvement. However, self-evaluation systems do not include arrangements for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of inclusive practices. Although the childminder provides a good range of activities and resources that promote children's general understanding of diversity in the world around them, everyday resources and activities have not been planned to ensure that they effectively reflect children's own cultures,

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provision

religions and other languages that are spoken at home.

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provision

Children are safeguarded from harm and neglect and positive steps are taken to promote their welfare. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. In partnership with her co-childminder she has developed clear, comprehensive child protection policies and procedures that are shared with and understood by all.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the bright and welcoming home of the childminder. The childminder works closely with her co-childminder to provide effective support for children's needs. As the co-childminder has daily contact with children, she takes on key person responsibilities for each child, effectively supported by the childminder who works with her for one or more days of the week. The childminders work together to provide children with a wide variety of resources, activities and experiences. Children reap the benefits of accessing a very well planned environment. Within the homely living room babies and younger This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children explore age appropriate toys and resources. A dedicated playroom is well resourced, providing children with easy access to various resources as they make their own decisions about what they want to do. Free-flow access to the garden

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

provides an excellent balance between indoor and outdoor resources and activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development, supported by the generally effective observation and planning systems that the childminders are developing. The childminder works closely with the co-childminder to develop children's individual progress records, containing observations of their abilities and interests. The childminders meet regularly to plan activities and resources that are responsive to children interests and which provide age and stage-appropriate support for them in all areas of learning and development. Although current systems provide good support for children's learning and development, current records do not always clearly demonstrate how planning builds upon children's individual next steps across all areas of learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a lovely rapport with children, actively engaging with them in their play and conversations. She provides good support for children's developing skills and knowledge, using questions and comments appropriately to support them as they learn to make sand castles and to challenge gender stereotypes. For example, the childminder challenges children's belief that purple tools can only be used by girls. Children are confident to engage in conversations with the childminder and to make their own decisions about what they want to do. They have great fun playing with water and sand and are eager to engage in these activities, as the childminder has provided resources that build upon children's current interest in pirates. 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

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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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