Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250210 Inspection date 27/02/2012 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 1997. She lives in Solihull with her two adult children and a younger child aged nine years old. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with the exception of the front room. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years with no more than three in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age group and all attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for several older children that attend before and after school and occasionally in the school holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification.

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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's individual needs are well met and the diversity of individuals is valued and respected. Children are making good progress and participate in a wide range of fun and stimulating experiences. On the whole, systems used for observation, planning and assessment are working well and some strategies are in place to help children develop an understanding of the wider world. Effective partnerships are in place with parents and others and this helps to ensure consistency of care for children. The childminder is keen to improve her service and demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop own knowledge of equal opportunities and different cultural groups and extend resources that help children become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disability  develop methods for continuous observational assessment to help form a more accurate view of where children are in their learning and development and where they need to go next and explore ways of encouraging parental involvement in the ongoing planning, observation and assessment process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively protected from harm or neglect. They are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment and a variety of measures are in place to promote their safety. For example, hazardous items are stored out of reach of children and emergency evacuation procedures are practised on a regular basis. The childminder maintains and reviews risk assessment records and carries out daily visual safety checks on her home and any resources used for minding. She has attended some safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of some of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She shares her written safeguarding policy with parents and this ensures that they are aware of her role and responsibilities in this respect. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted and children are only released into the care of known individuals.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's calm and caring manner and they are happy and settled in her care. They have plenty of space to play and rest and a variety of resources are stored in ways that are easily accessible to children. The childminder is very enthusiastic about what she does and is constantly looking to improve her service through training and meeting with other childminders. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and shows a good understanding of her strengths and priorities for improvement. She has identified some plans for the future and these include a desire to extend her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and childcare in general. Recommendations raised at her last Ofsted inspection have been fully addressed and result in improved outcomes for children. The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities but demonstrates a positive attitude towards

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the early years provision

doing so. She treats all children with equal concern and her comprehensive and clearly written policies outline her procedures and expectations and reflect her inclusive practice.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are effectively known and met because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She has formed friendly relationships with parents and regularly talks to them about their children's welfare and development. She also completes daily diaries for some of the children and asks for parental opinions to help improve her service. The childminder has a selection of letters from parents that contain lots of positive comments about the service she provides. Emails from current parents shown at inspection; include comments on how happy the children are in her care, the good level of support she provides and the range of experiences they participate in. The childminder is currently caring for some children who attend other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage and she regularly exchanges information with staff, when appropriate, to support children's welfare and continuity of care.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children smile and laugh during play and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder knows the children in her care well and is intuitive with regards to their needs, interests and preferences. She regularly observes children and records some of what she sees and hears. Each child has their own folder that contains the childminder's written observations, some photographs and examples of their work. Also, the childminder gathers some information from parents about children's needs and interests and uses this to help assess their starting points and inform her planning. However, children's learning potential is reduced because strategies for recording this information are still being developed. Also, parents are not actively invited to contribute to the planning, observation and assessment process.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in a wide variety of experiences that stimulate them and help them to gain the skills that they will need in future life. For example, they enjoy making models with construction toys, playing with interactive toys and are learning to count and recognise colours during everyday experiences. They play well together and developing friendships between the children are evident. The childminder interacts well with children and effectively supports and extends their communication skills through modelling language and asking them open-ended questions. Outings are thoughtfully used to alert children to nature and help reinforce road safety rules. They also contribute to children's developing social skills as they provide them with plenty of opportunities to mix with other children and adults. They are gaining some understanding of diversity through discussion during everyday experiences and activities inspired through a range of religious

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and outcomes for children

and cultural festivals. However, resources that help them to develop an awareness of people's differences and similarities are limited. Children can choose from a range of dolls with different skin colours and a variety of books.

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and outcomes for children

Children show by their actions that they feel safe and secure. They are at ease with the childminder and happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support. They share and take turns in their play and respond positively to gentle reminders from the childminder. She promptly acknowledges children's good behaviour, effort and achievement and this enhances their self-esteem. Children's good health is promoted well as they follow good hygiene routines and enjoy lots of opportunities to experience fresh air and physical exercise. They visit parks and soft play facilities and regularly play outside in the childminder's garden. Children are learning about the importance of a healthy diet through everyday discussion and eating healthy choices at snack and meal times. Drinks are readily available and these prevent children from becoming dehydrated. 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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