Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY233669 Inspection date 26/01/2010 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2003. She lives in Solihull with her husband and child aged 10 years. They live within walking distance of the local shops and park. All rooms on the ground floor of the premises and the bathroom located on the first floor, are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 three children in this age group. She also offers care to older children before and after school. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification.

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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

Children's individuality is recognised and valued and they are happy, settled and at ease in the childminder's care. Resources are deployed well and children participate in a variety of stimulating activities that help them to learn through play and make progress. The childminder enjoys good relationships with the parents of minded children and is aware of the value of working in partnership with others. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and is recording her observations and assessments of children, however, these systems are not yet effective in improving outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates a sound capacity for improvement but some potential hazards to children are not sufficiently minimised and this means that children are not effectively protected.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment; also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 02/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of practice to identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will help improve the quality of provision for all children  develop systems for observing and assessing each child's needs, interests and learning styles and use information gathered from these and parents to help plan for their next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded. The childminder is able to recognise child abuse and neglect and would not hesitate to report any concerns. Her home is secure and good fire safety precautions are in place. Some steps are taken to protect children’s safety in the home, for example, safety catches are fitted on some low-level cupboards in the kitchen and plug socket covers are in place. The childminder maintains a risk assessment record and carries out daily visual checks of her home. However, children’s safety is not fully protected because these checks are not effective. For example, during the inspection several radiators were very hot to the touch. Also, at the childminder’s last inspection a recommendation was raised in respect of ensuring the safety of low-level glass in two doors that are situated between the lounge and kitchen. Following this inspection the childminder applied safety film to the low-level panels but due to the uneven surface of the

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the early years provision

glass this has since peeled off. She closely supervises children in this area but is aware of the need to find an effective solution to help minimise the potential risk to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a sound desire and commitment to improving the service that she offers to children and their families. She has recently completed a relevant National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 and regularly networks with other professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. She is aware of the value of working in partnership with others and demonstrates a very positive attitude towards doing so. Some written policies and procedures are in place and these help to support the childminder’s inclusive practice. The childminder has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form but systems for reflective practice are still very much in their infancy. They do not effectively identify strengths and priorities for improvement or consider the views of others, for example, parents and children.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very clean, attractive and welcoming family home. Space is organised well and children have easy access to a variety of good quality and stimulating resources. As a result, children feel safe and secure and they are motivated to learn and explore their environment. The childminder swaps toys with other childminders and uses the library to help supplement her resources and this enhances children's play and experiences. Friendly relationships exist with parents and they comment positively on the service that she provides. All required information, to support children’s welfare, is recorded and/or shared and regular two-way communication between the childminder and parents ensures coherence and consistency of care for children. 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 making steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop. However, their overall progress towards the early learning goals is reduced because the childminder is still developing her systems for observation, assessment and planning. She is constantly observing children during play and records some of what she sees. She gathers some information about children's starting points, individual needs and preferences and she ensures that planned experiences are inclusive, developmentally appropriate and reflect children’s interests. However, the information she gathers is not effectively used to assess individual children’s progress or inform the planning of their future experiences. Also, parents are not actively invited to contribute to their children's developmental records. As a result,

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and outcomes for children

children may not be sufficiently challenged or supported to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans and implements a variety of activities that engage children and help them to gain the skills that they will need in future life. They go on regular outings to an array of community groups and these help to promote their social skills and broaden their range of experiences. They learn to share and take turns in their play and regularly mix with other adults and children. Also, they take part in activities designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of the wider community. For example, they explore various religious and cultural festivals through craft, stories and food tasting. Children are keen to participate in the experiences available to them and are happy to play both independently and with others. Resources are plentiful and help to promote children’s learning in all areas. Children are able to select some resources for themselves as they are thoughtfully stored to encourage children’s independence and curiosity.

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and outcomes for children

Children display good manners and show care and concern for others. The childminder provides them with a positive role model and is calm and caring. Affection is readily given and children receive plenty of acknowledgement and praise for their good behaviour, effort and achievement. The childminder listens to what children have to say and thoughtfully extends their learning through asking questions and showing interest in their responses. For example, when looking at books she invites them to look at the pictures and talk about what they see and when drawing with crayons she asks them to identify the colours of the pencils they select. Consequently, children interact well and display good levels of self- esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. They follow good hygiene procedures and enjoy plenty of physical exercise and outdoor play. They regularly play out in the childminder’s garden and indoors they dance and take part in action songs. Also, they visit local parks where there is a wider range of large play equipment and plenty of space for children to run around and expend energy. Food for main mealtimes is provided by parents but the childminder provides snacks that include plenty of fresh fruit. Children’s awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoted in a variety of ways, for example, in discussion and through planned activities and watching children’s television programmes. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. They practise road safety whilst out and about in the local environment and activities, such as role play, are used to help to reinforce safety

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and outcomes for children

messages. Emergency evacuation procedures are regularly practised with the children and the childminder gently reminds children why some house rules are in place. For example, she explains to children that they must not climb on furniture because they might fall and hurt themselves. 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 2 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 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 02/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make information available to parents about the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register; also appplies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 02/02/2010

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 02/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 02/02/2010

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