Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396778 Inspection date 22/02/2010 Inspector Karen Eunice Millerchip

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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 2009 and lives with her husband and children aged 11 years, four years and one year old in Knowle, Warwickshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of four children under eight years may attend at any one time. Currently the childminder cares for two children within the early years age range on a part-time basis. The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and friendly home environment where all parents and children are valued and strong relationships established. Children's individuality is celebrated by the childminder who ensures their needs are inclusively met and individual routines adhered to following useful information regarding requirements and preferences obtained from parents. Children make good progress in their learning as flexible planning encourages children to follow their own ideas and interests. The childminder demonstrates a sound capacity for continuous improvement through identifying areas of development and attends relevant training courses to increase appropriate knowledge and skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment to include progress with regard to the six areas of learning and development  adopt a culture of reflective practice, self evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities supported by a well written policy and useful guidance information. She has ensured that appropriate checks with regard to suitability have been carried out and clear documentation including policies and procedures to ensure the safe management of her provision is well maintained. Space and resources are organised well and the childminder checks her home regularly to ensure hazards are kept to a minimum. For example, the house is secure and equipment is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitable and safe for the ages of children attending. Clear and effective risk assessments are in place and records of the checks carried out are available.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to conditions of registration and how to meet the welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Suitable self evaluation methods are being developed. For example, she discusses best practice with parents and colleagues to identify priorities for improvement. She understands the importance of information sharing with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of care and learning. However, this information is not used fully to evaluate her provision and improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

She works well with parents by providing useful information about her services. This includes a good range of clearly written policies and procedures and a display of qualification certificates, registration and insurance documents. Information is obtained from parents before care commences regarding children's health and welfare needs and daily news is shared effectively through sound use of daily communication which include email. All necessary records are maintained for hours of attendance, medication and accidents and all parental consents are in place.

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and outcomes for children

Space is organised effectively and provides children with opportunities for messy play, free and physical activities and relaxation or sleep. Children’s sense of belonging is promoted as they are encouraged to self select from the range of toys available which are age appropriate and promote some positive images of diversity. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider world as they use a 'wall mounted' map to find out where different people, produce and animals come from. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs well. She recognises children’s progress and developmental achievements through observations during play and through discussions with parents. This information is logged in the children’s development folders and generally links clearly to the six areas of learning and development, however, it is not used to identify children's individual progress towards the early

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled in this comfortable and caring environment. They learn the importance of keeping safe as they receive gentle reminders during play and good behaviour is encouraged through respectful manners and positive reinforcement. Children enjoy a variety of healthy meals and snacks which are supplied by the childminder in agreement with parents. They freely access individual drinks through the day to ensure they are suitably hydrated. Independent personal hygiene skills, such as washing hands before meals, are encouraged and children talk about why 'germs' need to be washed away.

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and outcomes for children

Routines are in place to ensure children benefit from daily fresh air and opportunities to become active. There is a good balance of adult led and freely chosen or child initiated activities. Outside play is offered in most weathers where This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children can select from a range of equipment in the garden or enjoy walks in the local community. The children enjoy opportunities to make 'snow men' and to track and identify different animal and human footprints that are found in the snow. This provides children with developing awareness of their community and time to explore and investigate the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Within the setting children play with a wide selection of toys and resources, the childminder is particularly skilled at linking different aspects of learning to extend and excite children's imagination. For example, the use of books, glove puppets and audio visual aids to encourage children to sing, dance and act out favourite rhymes. Their progression through play is supported by the childminder who interacts very well with them asking age appropriate questions and responding positively to their ideas and suggestions. 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 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 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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