Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY347083 Inspection date 12/05/2011 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 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 2006. She lives in Solihull, West Midlands with her husband and their two children aged 14 and 12 years. There are local shops, schools and a park nearby. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children have access to the bathroom and toilet which is situated on the first floor. The childminder's husband works as her assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. When working with her assistant she may care for a maximum of eight children. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. She also cares for two older children that attend after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for by a friendly and caring childminder and enjoy access to a variety of experiences that help them learn and develop. Their needs in relation to welfare, learning and inclusion are satisfactorily met and they are happy and settled. Suitable partnerships are in place with parents and the childminder is fully aware of the value of working with other professionals to help provide consistency of care for children. Current systems for risk assessment, self-evaluation and observation, planning and assessment are not yet effective, but the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

To 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; this specifically refers to ensuring that all potential risks associated with the large trampoline sited in the back garden are identified and any necessary adjustments made to secure safety at all times (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 19/05/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve methods for carrying out observations and use what is discovered to help inform children's learning and development records and to effectively plan the next steps for individuals and groups of children  use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

Children are satisfactorily safeguarded. The childminder is able to recognise child abuse and neglect and knows who to consult if there is a cause for concern. The childminder's home is secure and daily visual safety checks, together with risk assessments, ensure that most potential hazards are identified and suitably minimised. However, children are not fully protected as the childminder has not fully assessed and minimised the potential risks associated with a large trampoline in her back garden. The childminder ensures that children are appropriately supervised at all times and that all adults living in the household have been suitably vetted. The childminder's husband is her assistant and is, at times, left on sole charge of some of the children. The childminder has ensured that he is fully aware of her policies and procedures and he has attended some training, for example, food hygiene and safeguarding. However, the childminder has failed to

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the early years provision

meet a condition of her registration that requires parents to confirm, in writing, that they are aware of and agree to this arrangement. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the childminder did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

Children are happy in the childminder's care. The homely and welcoming environment that she provides helps children to settle and feel at ease. They have access to a wide range of resources that are stored in various places around the childminder's home. A general selection is stored within their easy reach and this enables them to make some independent choices. The childminder rotates resources and encourages children to help tidy away after their play. Children have sufficient space to play and rest and enjoy a wide range of activities, both indoors and outside.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and experience as a mother. Training requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met and the childminder has devised a collection of written policies and procedures that she shares with parents. These policies help support her inclusive practice and outline the service that she provides. The childminder informally considers what she does well and the things she needs to improve. She has made some improvements since her last inspection and these include obtaining more resources, providing a greater range of experiences for children and the addition of a separate playroom. Some action has been taken in respect of recommendations from last inspection, but this is not fully effective in improving outcomes for children. Clear systems for ongoing reflective practice are not in place and this reduces her ability to effectively identify her strengths and priorities for improvement.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder recognises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She regularly talks to parents about their children's welfare and development and has forged satisfactory links with other settings that children attend. For example, she exchanges general information with staff at a local nursery and talks to older children about what they have done and enjoyed at other settings. As result, she is able to ensure some coherence and provide consistency of care for children. The childminder regularly meets up with other childminders and this provides her with opportunities to share ideas and good practice. Also, minded children are able to socialise with other adults and children and this helps to increase their personal, social and emotional skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop. She is constantly observing children during play and can describe their individual personalities and some of things she is doing to help them progress. She uses her knowledge and experience to provide suitable resources and experiences for the children and talks to their parents about the various things she notices. She maintains scrapbooks for the children and these include lots of examples of their work and demonstrate some of the experiences children have taken part in. Also, she obtains some information from parents about their children' s needs, interest and preferences. However, the childminder has yet to put in place effective methods for planning, observation and assessment and recording this information. Consequently, her ability to plan effectively for children's next steps and to monitor their progress along the

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and outcomes for children

stepping stones towards the early learning goals is reduced.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making steady progress in their learning and development. They are at ease in the childminder's home and are happy to go to the childminder or her assistant for comfort, reassurance and support. The childminder provides a variety of fun experiences that help children gain some of the skills they will need in future life. For example, they are learning about technology and how it is used as they play with a range of interactive toys that include a laptop computer and toys that react when various buttons are pressed. The childminder is well aware of the learning potential of everyday situations and uses outings to reinforce road safety and 'Stranger Danger'. She has attended a 'Kerbcraft' course and puts her learning into practice as she teaches children to find safe places to cross and to act sensibly when near roads. She takes children on shopping trips and these are thoughtfully used to teach children to behave appropriately and include opportunities for the

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and outcomes for children

childminder to raise children's awareness of healthy eating and the benefits of regular exercise. Children are gaining a suitable knowledge and understanding of the wider world. The childminder has a selection of resources that include positive images of diversity and she encourages all children to value who they are. A range of religious and cultural festivals are explored in meaningful ways, for example, through discussion, looking at books and a variety of creative activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably promoted. All areas of the childminder's home used for minding purposes are clean and children are taught to follow good hygiene This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 routines. The childminder provides food for snacks and mealtimes and this includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinks are readily available and these prevent children from becoming dehydrated. Children behave appropriately and the childminder and her assistant provide children with positive role models to follow. Children are learning to show care and consideration for others and are starting to follow safe practices. For example, they understand that they must not run inside and are told that they must not climb on furniture in case they should fall and hurt themselves. Children receive gentle reminders, as necessary, and lots of praise and positive body language for good behaviour, effort and achievement.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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). 19/05/2011

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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). 19/05/2011

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