Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282207 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 assesses 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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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 2004. She lives with her husband in Solihull. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and four bedrooms on the first floor for sleep and quiet activities. Access to the premises is by one step. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Solihull Childminding Association. She has an early years qualification in childcare.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and transports children to local pre-schools and nurseries. She also attends the local childminding groups. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where children are valued and respected. They are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder, where they make good progress in the six areas of learning. Their welfare is well promoted in a secure environment and the majority of the documentation is in place to promote children's well-being. Effective partnerships are in place with parents and other agencies which promote consistency in children's care and learning. Good systems for reflection and self-evaluation ensure that future priorities are identified to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission at the time of the child's admission to the provision for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 18/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 use assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress to ensure each child receives appropriate support This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend freedom for children to access resources while ensuring that they develop their understanding of the importance of tidying up and putting things back where they belong.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected as effective steps are taken by the childminder to ensure that the children in her care are safeguarded. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect. The childminder is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. Daily checks, written procedures for outings and a risk assessment protect children from potential hazards, both in the home and out in community. Safety equipment, such as, stair gates and smoke detectors are secured on both levels of the home.

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the early years provision

Children's records are well maintained and contain all the required information for their health and safety. They are made available for inspection and kept in a secure place. However, consent for emergency medical treatment does not include advice and this could compromise children's well-being. The childminder has good systems to evaluate the quality of her service. She regularly uses questionnaires and daily discussions to collect views from both children and parents to help improve outcomes for children. For example, some children show little interest in drawing and writing so the childminder devised out and about books for children to record their experiences. As a result, children now use various tools to make marks with. Previous recommendations with regard to safety in the garden have been are addressed. The childminder continues to update her knowledge of childcare issues through training and regular attendance at the local childminding groups. These

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the early years provision

effective measures demonstrate that the childminder has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children access a wide range of toys and resources which are safe and appropriate. However, children are not always encouraged to tidy up after themselves. As a result, there is a build up of toys in some areas which impacts on children's free space and their safety. Resources are easily accessible to enable children to make choices about their play and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to equality and diversity. She talks to children about different cultures and beliefs in the wider world which promotes their understanding of diversity. They take part in the celebration of festivals, such as the Chinese New Year, where they make dragons and play with chopsticks. She supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities by working in partnership with parents and other agencies. Effective systems are in place to support children who speak additional languages at home.

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the early years provision

There are effective partnerships between the childminder, parents and other settings which children attend. The childminder receives weekly information from the nursery which enables her to support children's interests and learning when they are in her care. For example, children learn about outer space at the nursery This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the solar system with the childminder. Parents receive daily verbal and written feedback on their children's care and progress during the day.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and very settled with the childminder. The childminder has an early years qualification which enables her to plan a wide range of interesting activities and play opportunities for children in her care. As a result, children make good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder carries out regular observations to help her plan for the next stage in children's learning. She has started to link observations to different areas of learning using a sticker system. However, her system for assessment is in the early stages and does not clearly track children's development. This means that there may be some gaps in the programme for education. Through discussion, the childminder is able to demonstrate clearly where each child is in their learning and what level of support and extension they require.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to make choices and develop their independence. They access a wide selection of toys in all areas of the ground floor which are attractively displayed to interest children. For example, a good range of books are displayed with toy aeroplanes for older children and books with different textures for younger children. Older children play with small aeroplanes on the table and ask the childminder if it is safe to play on the floor where babies play. Children talk about helicopters and propellers which promote their understanding of transport and extend their vocabulary. They line up aeroplanes, count and also sort out into size. Younger children use appropriate equipment, such as, animals and teddy bears to count and sort. There are a good range of posters displayed in the kitchen which promote children's understating of shape, colour and the alphabet. Children are able to express their feelings through a wide range of creative media, such as,

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and outcomes for children

paint, sand and jelly. They develop their imagination as they play with small world toys and take part in role play. Children maintain their good health through a wide range of activities both at home and in the community. For example, in the garden children dig in the soil and look for insects, such as, dragonflies and ladybirds. They enjoy regular outings to local farms and country parks where they feed baby animals and ride on horses. Physical skills develop as children access a wide range of equipment in the garden which promotes skills in balance and coordination. Children are actively encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay safe. For example, children know they have to wear their helmet when they ride on their bikes and to look and listen for traffic.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good, balanced and healthy diet which meets their individual requirements. Parents provide packed lunches and snacks which are stored appropriately to promote children's welfare. The childminder ensures she takes drinks with her when on outings to ensure children do not get thirsty. At home children access their beakers independently which are filled with juice or water. Good procedures are in place to promote children's health and hygiene. For example, effective hand washing routines are in place and children have individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hand towels to reduce the risks of cross-infection. Older children learn about the importance of oral hygiene as they brush their teeth after meals. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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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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