Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250307 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Adelaide Griffith

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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 was registered in 1995. She lives with two adult sons in Solihull. They live within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, and one bedroom on the first floor, are used for childminding. There is a large fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register 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 two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers holiday care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to go to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local groups on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and meets their individual needs effectively. Children's welfare is safeguarded well due to the available policies and procedures. The childminder works very closely with parents and other early years providers to identify children's needs and any gaps in their learning. This contributes positively to the consistent progress in their learning and development, from their starting points. The childminder is committed to reviewing and adapting her practice in order to make changes that promote children's care and learning in every respect. Priorities for further development are identified to maintain continuous improvements for the benefit of children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to use observational assessments more effectively to promote children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a well-developed understanding of how they learn. She is well informed about her responsibility to protect children and all adults living on the premises are vetted. The childminder ensures that she consistently implements This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding procedures. These include rigorous risk assessments, indoors and outside, in order to minimise potential hazards to children. A raft of policies are in place to maintain the efficient running of the setting, and to meet the needs of all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually reviews her practice and identifies areas for improvement. She is alert to children's needs and adapts activities to support their development. The childminder is aware of the importance of maintaining a strong knowledge base that underpins her promotion of children's care and learning. Consequently, she frequently attends courses in order to keep abreast of current initiatives in the early years sector. She carries out risk assessments for all venues where children are taken and desists from using those that are not safe. The childminder makes good use of local amenities to extend children's learning. For example, she has liaised with the local fire service to provide resources that are appropriate to reinforce their understanding of evacuation drills. The childminder has high expectations that each child will achieve their potential. For this reason she introduces new experiences to maintain children's interest in activities. The

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the early years provision

childminder frequently seeks parents' views of the setting and responds to children's requests. For instance, she adapts the daily routine to provide specific activities at a time that is suitable to all.

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the early years provision

There is a very strong partnership with parents who trust the childminder to provide stimulating activities that promote their child's learning effectively. She works closely with parents to promote children's development and frequently keeps them informed of their child's progress. Parents comment on the childminder's flexible approach and her willingness to adapt routines to meet their needs. She provides a commendable service that allows children to engage in a wealth of activities outside the home. She takes children to clubs and groups for extra-curricular activities. This provides valuable support for parents and ensures that children can take part in activities with a wider group of peers. The childminder is proactive and collaborates well with other providers to provide continuity in children's learning. She liaises with several providers and shares information effectively. She ensures that she is aware of where additional support

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the early years provision

is required and works extensively with other partners to meet children's needs.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are met as agreed with parents. The childminder celebrates all children's backgrounds equally. She has obtained books that promote bilingual languages so that all children have opportunities to develop an awareness of another language. She implements a variety of activities that help children to learn about other cultures. She has organised fundraising activities so that children develop an appreciation of aspects of disability, for example, the role of guide dogs. She ensures that children gain a holistic view of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time spent at the childminder's. She frequently takes children on outings to places of interest. For example, they visit the transport museum and nature reserves. This means that children are gaining a well-developed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of the world around them. These activities contribute to children's skills for the future. They also attend local venues where they access drama and dance classes. The childminder is experienced and makes use of these activities to promote areas of learning where children may need additional support.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes learning fun and she is skilful at promoting children's development by using a range of methods. For example, she works closely with other providers to identify gaps in children's development and then implements activities accordingly. Children are developing skills that promote small muscle control, such as cutting and writing. Children's independence is enthusiastically encouraged. They put on shoes without assistance and access the bathroom unaided. They are well protected against infection because the childminder provides an individual towel for each child. Children demonstrate a precise understanding of healthy options. They describe the taste of fruits as 'juicy and sweet' and then explain that these make you grow. Children have access to drinks throughout the day. They are learning to maintain personal safety by participating in fire drills and imaginative play is promoted by acting out stories that reinforce

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and outcomes for children

their understanding of the effects of fire.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is committed to promoting children's care and learning. For this reason she carries out regular observations to note their developmental stage. However, the next step in learning is not consistently included and it is not always linked to the early years framework. Nevertheless, the childminder makes use of the information gained from observations to plan for further learning. She is alert to children's preferences and provides ample opportunities for children to develop their play. Children are content to play on their own, and equally, with their peers. Children are developing a caring attitude towards others as they share resources. They also share information about previous experiences during activities that are specifically implemented to promote their talking and listening skills. The childminder models positive behaviour by talking to children politely. Consequently, they mirror this good behaviour in their interaction with the childminder and

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and outcomes for children

others. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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 2

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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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