Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY240972 Inspection date 07/06/2010 Inspector Lucy Showell

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and teenage children in the Shirley area of Solihull. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children are also taken on outings to local parks and attend local carer and toddler groups. The family have a dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years which is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming homely environment. The childminder respects and values the individuality of each child in her care and works hard to establish good relationships with parents. Children’s needs are inclusively met and individual routines followed with regard to the requirements and preferences discussed with parents. Children make good progress in their learning as they enjoy a variety of well-organised and stimulating activities. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement through attendance at additional training courses to develop knowledge and skills further.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the detailed information on the six areas of learning and development to help observe, plan and assess your activities with children based on their individual development and needs  adopt a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the settings strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The children are well-protected by the childminder who has effective safeguarding procedures including relevant contact details, guidance documents and sound knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She maintains up-to-date information, such as a good range of robust policies and procedures and certificates, registration and insurance documents are easily visible. She has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to conditions of registration and how to meet the welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. All This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 necessary records are maintained for hours of attendance, medication, accidents and existing injuries and all parental consents are in place. Suitability checks are completed and the childminder understands her responsibility to share required information with Ofsted regarding other adults in the house to ensure their

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the early years provision

suitability can be accessed as necessary. 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 suitable and safe for the ages of children attending. Clear and detailed risk assessments are in place and the records of the checks carried out and any actions taken are effectively maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder assess her practice informally and is keen to gain the opinions of others. However, she has not yet completed the self-evaluation form which is strongly encouraged by Ofsted to help facilitate her identification of priorities for further improvements. She shows a keen interest in developing her skills and knowledge further. For example, she has recently enrolled on a course to achieve a Level 3 childcare qualification and demonstrates her commitment to children through ensuring she has the most up-to-date information available regarding legislation and new initiatives. She regularly reviews her documentation and checks the quality and suitability of resources to ensure sustainability of her provision. The childminder recognises the importance of building good relationships with others and actively seeks advice and guidance from the local authority team and discusses best practice with other childminders. She works well with parents by

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the early years provision

providing useful information about her services, obtains valuable information from parents before care commences regarding children's health and welfare needs, and daily news is shared effectively. Parents are invited to offer their opinions of the childminding services on a regular basis and a parent has recently shown their appreciation stating: ‘You are great! We couldn’t ask for more from a childminder.’

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled in this warm and welcoming environment. Their sense of belonging is promoted as they are encouraged to self-select from the range of toys available which are age-appropriate and promote positive images of diversity. The childminder adopts a calm approach to the children encouraging good behaviour through gentle reminders during play and opportunities to share and take turns with favourite resources. Children learn the importance of keeping safe as they ‘help’ the childminder to look after the dog, playing carefully with him and taking him for walks around the park. They show good awareness of their personal hygiene as they wash their hands thoroughly using antibacterial gel and older children take care of their own toileting needs. Space is organised effectively and provides children with opportunities for messy play, free and physical activities and relaxation or sleep. Children enjoy meals and snacks which are provided by

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and outcomes for children

their parents and served by the childminder when required and freely access individual drinks through the day to ensure they are suitably hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs appropriately. A unique learning journal is created for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child with samples of work, photographs and annotations. She uses stickers to identify the different areas of learning and notes suggestions for future activities, although, she does not use the detailed information in the practice guidance to support the planning and assessment of her activities with the children. The childminder liaises effectively with parents gaining initial information about their child’s abilities and interests and continues to build on this through sharing daily news effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s sense of belonging is supported by a lovely display of their own collage portraits and labelled photographs of their families and friends. Children enjoy finding themselves on the display and pointing out their ‘important people’ when requested by the childminder. The childminder interacts well with the children asking age-appropriate questions and responding positively to their actions. They play ‘peek-a-boo’ through tunnels on the floor, build a track for cars, whilst making car noises, before breaking it up again and ‘help’ to make dinner in the role-play kitchen. Children’s vocabulary is increasing all the time and the constant discussions, songs and rhymes encourage them to enjoy using different words and sounds. Lots of praise is offered to build confidence and self-esteem, and even the youngest children are given simple responsibilities, such as remembering to take their shoes off when they arrive and collect them again when they go out. They

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and outcomes for children

enjoy completing jigsaws with support from the childminder who uses positional language and actions to help show where the pieces go and develop their understanding of shape, size and colour.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being active and develop good physical and co-ordination skills as they enjoy the wide range of play equipment during their regular visits to the park. Further opportunities such as walks to look at the trees, flowers and houses and outings to the shops, activity centres and local groups encourage them to learn more about the people and surroundings in their local community. 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 2 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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