Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250471 Inspection date 09/09/2009 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 since 1995. She lives with her husband, two children aged 10 and 17 years and an adult daughter in Solihull. They live within walking distance of the local shops, parks and schools. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor which includes a designated play room. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Access to the childminder’s home is via one step at the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a variety of pets including a dog, rabbit, tortoise and a hamster. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register and to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years. She is currently caring for two children who are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is willing to take and collect from school and nursery and children may attend local pre-school groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare and care needs appropriately and meets their individual developmental needs well. Children are happy and content at this homely setting where they respond well to the childminder who ensures that they are all valued and included. The childminder has a generally sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and consequently children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Strong links with parents and carers help involve them in their children's care and education and they are kept well informed. Planning, assessment, documentation, evaluation systems and plans for the future are being developed as the childminder is aware of some of her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the risk assessment to include everything children come into contact with  further develop the safeguarding policy to include the procedure in the event an allegation is made  improve assessment systems in order to plan experiences for children as they progress towards the early learning goals  consolidate knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to help in planning suitable activities  develop systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the provision in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 order to identify ways to improve the quality of learning, development and care on an ongoing basis.

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the early years provision

Children are generally safeguarded because the childminder understands her role regarding child protection and would report any concerns of abuse or neglect without hesitation, although she is not clear of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against her. Risk assessments and safety checks have been devised and implemented to ensure children play safely both indoors and on outings, however it does not include everything children come into contact with. The childminder talks to children about their own safety and they have opportunities to practise the emergency escape plan. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene as they wash their hands after using the bathroom and before lunch. Children's well-being is supported as hygiene procedures are effective in limiting the spread of infection, because they have individual towels for hand washing. The childminder maintains records pertaining

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the early years provision

to injury and illness involving children and she holds the relevant par ental permission to seek emergency medical treatment. She holds a current first aid certificate and regularly checks the content of the first aid box, to ensure she is able to administer appropriate treatment to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children are given time to settle in and she has flexible procedures to suit children's individual needs. Parents and carers receive some information about the childminding business prior to children starting, including formation about activities and routines. The childminder is aware of the need to establish links with other settings to ensure effective two-way communication is maintained for the children in her care. The process of evaluating her provision is being reviewed as she seeks to include the views of children and parents, although these systems are not fully consolidated. The childminder has addressed the recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to inclusive practice and has considered how she will implement her policies and procedures regarding equality and diversity. She plans activities for children to explore the wider world and provides them with positive images resources. The childminder ensures children are able to access a wide range of resources and activities, which are stored in the play room. She takes the children to local groups and places of interest to extend their learning opportunities and build their confidence. She has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation stage and is actively familiarising herself with information regarding the areas of learning to ensure children's learning and development needs are sufficiently met. Assessments of children's progress, learning and development is being developed as the childminder has purchased diaries to record observations she carries out. Parents are encouraged to share information about their children's

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the early years provision

progress and this information will be used to plan their next steps. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and quickly settle in the childminder's home having returned from holiday. The childminder notices changes in children's confidence and how they have developed their language and she uses this information to plan activities for them. Children are provided with a broad range of activities and play opportunities, both indoors and out, as they regularly visit toddler groups and play centres to help develop their confidence, social skills and use more challenging equipment to promote their physical development. The childminder uses space and resources effectively to create a comfortable environment where children can select resources and direct their own play. The childminder supports children's learning and places good emphasis on their personal, social and emotional development. Children enjoy activities such as role play, dressing and undressing dolls, building with construction toys, listening to stories, singing and dancing.

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and outcomes for children

Their understanding of number is developed through everyday activities such as counting objects or steps as they walk and singing number rhymes. Children have access to the computer, programmable toys and they watch their favourite videos or children's television programmes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to be creative as they draw, paint, make models and manipulate play dough. They enjoy drawing around templates of animals and colouring them in. The children help to feed the childminder's pets and they observe the birds that come into the garden to eat the nuts. The childminder takes them to the local park where they collect conkers, leaves for printing and prints of the tree barks. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion and welcomes all children and their families into her home. Children play with some toys and resources which reflect positive images of culture and disability and the childminder plans activities to celebrate festivals and events such as Chinese New Year.

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and outcomes for children

The children behave well as the childminder is very aware of using positive reinforcement to encourage acceptable behaviour and she gives firm but fair guidance, leading by example as children demonstrate good manners. This helps promote children's self-esteem and confidence. Children's health and well-being is adequately supported as the childminder maintains appropriate records relating to accidents and medication. Children are beginning to learn about how to care for their environment as they recycle bottles, paper and cans. The childminder discusses children's individual dietary needs with parents and ensures all meals meet their needs. She provides snacks such as fresh fruit and regular drinks, this ensures children have sufficient fluids throughout the day. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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