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

p.1

Unique reference number 250474 Inspection date 26/08/2009 Inspector Saida Cummings

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1999 and lives with her husband in a residential area situated in the Hockley Heath district of Solihull, West Midlands. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, day care settings and schools within walking distance. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and day care settings. Children are taken on local visits and outings. The family has one pet cat.

p.3

Description of the childminding

Most of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently four children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for older children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), and has attained a Level 3 Quality First Award.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive in the very well- organised stimulating environment. The childminder has fully embraced the EYFS and uses it very effectively to ensure that children make very good progress in their learning and development. Children’s individual needs are extremely well catered for as the childminder supports each child with developing their skills, which promotes inclusive practice as all children are able to participate at their own level. The childminder has developed very good working relationships with parents and carers ensuring they are kept well-informed of their children’s daily routines, care and learning. The childminder has developed a good system for self- evaluating the care and education provided which ensures a highly effective ongoing programme of improvements is in place.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 update and maintain the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for each type of outing  develop the system for planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are consistently covered. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

Children's care is enhanced because of the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop. The childminder is very committed to ongoing training to ensure that her knowledge is up-to-date and to continue to develop her practice. She has completed a Level 3 Diploma in home- based childcare and regularly attends local appropriate training. Children benefit from the childminder’s commitment to further development as she ensures any changes or good practice are implemented into the care provided. The effective partnership with parents and carers plays a key part in providing high quality care and early education for individual children. The childminder has effective systems for gathering relevant information from parents and carers when children first start to ensure individual children’s routines are adhered to. This information is then used to plan exciting and interesting activities for individual children to enable

p.4

provision

them to progress in their early education and skills. Parents and carers are kept constantly informed about their child's day through daily verbal and very detailed written communication. The childminder values the diversity of families and the local community and is highly effective in ensuring that everyday routines and activities are tailored to enable each child to reach their full potential. There is an exceptionally strong commitment to including all children and this is reflected in the wide range of training the childminder has undertaken to ensure that her practice is adapted to meet children’s individual needs and that she offers effective support to their families. She works with the parents, carers and external agencies to ensure individual children’s specific needs are fully catered for. She has also built up effective relationships with other providers where children also attend to ensure they receive continuity of care and are fully supported to reach their full

p.4

provision

Children’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the known indicators of child abuse and the action that she should take in the event of a concern about a child in her care. Risks of accidental injury to children are effectively minimised because the childminder constantly completes risk assessments and takes immediate action to ensure children are kept safe and secure in everything they do. However, she does not fully document risk assessments which are carried out for all the indoor, outdoor areas and for each type of outing the children take part in. The effective policies and procedures work in practice to safeguard children and promote their health and well-being. The childminder uses an effective self-evaluation system ensuring she involves everyone in the process. This includes consulting with the parents, carers and the children. She identifies specific improvements to be targeted and implements these

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals as they are provided with many opportunities to enjoy a well-balanced selection of adult- led and child-led activities. The childminder plans exciting and stimulating activities taking into consideration individual children’s stage of development, interest and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences. Inclusive practice is promoted extremely well as the childminder encourages children's positive self-esteem and respects all children's backgrounds and any specific needs. Strong, positive and caring relationships are developed, with children having wide opportunities to express their views and make choices. Children’s awareness of the world around them and the wider society is encouraged though a range of activities and outings. This includes outings within the local community where children have opportunities to meet people from their

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

surrounding area. Play equipment and other resources are well-maintained and include positive images of differences. Children also have many opportunities to develop their understanding of diversity through well-planned topical activities. For example, they enjoy joining in with fun activities and discussions about where they have travelled to for their holidays, discussing how people and children live in those countries.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed detailed records of individual children’s achievements which include pictures of them enjoying various indoor and outdoor activities. Systems for observation and assessment are well developed and ensure that children's individual learning and development needs are well known by the childminder. She successfully uses her knowledge of individual children and the EYFS to ensure that activities are planned to help children take the next steps in their learning. However, the activity plans are not always detailed and linked to the six areas of learning to ensure these are consistently covered. Children’s safety and well-being are very well-promoted through effective health and safety procedures. Their independence is developed and nurtured as they confidently make decisions about what they would like to play with and have many opportunities to develop their basic skills, such as independently putting on and

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

taking off their coats and shoes. They develop their self-care skills through everyday routines, such as washing their hands at appropriate times and brushing their teeth after meals. Children enjoy a varied diet of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and love to use the magnetic fruit and vegetable chart to identify the types of food items they have eaten as part of their snacks. Children thrive as they enjoy an extensive range of physical activities and have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They relish their time outdoors which includes taking part in various local outings, such as visiting the parks, shops and library. As a result, children's health and well-being are extremely well promoted as they are developing an excellent awareness of leading healthy lifestyles.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given many opportunities to explore, investigate, and extend their imagination and problem solving skills. For example, they use the magnifying glasses to watch the caterpillars whilst they are building their cocoons, fascinated as these creatures slowly change. They are then able to see them emerge as butterflies and have the opportunity to observe them further during the first few days of their lives before helping to release them. Their learning is reinforced through use of appropriate books, such as ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’, information sheets, puzzles and watching appropriate videos. As a result, children are building up their understanding of the caterpillars’ life cycle in an interesting and stimulating environment. Children enjoy being creative as they draw, paint and use their imagination during role play activities. They have very good opportunities to develop their skills in communicating and literacy. Their language skills are

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

developed through their love of books and story telling, as well as encouragement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to join in with relaxed and interesting conversations. For example, they sit with the childminder relaxing whilst reading and looking at some of their favourite books. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to encourage their involvement and learning, such as encouraging their speech development by skilfully asking them open questions that encourage them to think and extend their vocabulary. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.7

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

p.7

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 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?

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure parents and carers are provided with a written complaints procedures (Providing information to parents) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 18/09/2009

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 18/09/2009

p.8