Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436151 Inspection date 05/04/2012 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two year old daughter in Solihull. The whole of the downstairs of the premises is used for childminding along with the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is presently caring for one child in the early years age group who attends part time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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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 happy and settled in the childminders care. They relate well to their peers and enjoy playing together. The childminder has a good understanding of the welfare and learning and development requirements. She has identified potential hazards to children and has included some of these on the risk assessment record. Partnerships with parents and carers are developing well. The childminder has identified her strengths and areas for improvement and is beginning to develop her methods for evaluating her service to include the views of the parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the recording of risk assessments for the home and garden  continue to develop methods used to evaluate the service and include parents views in this process.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her responsibilities in the event of a child protection concern. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and the reporting procedures she must follow. The childminder has a written statement of these procedures which she shares with parents at the onset of care. Consequently, parents are kept fully informed. All adults living on the premises have completed appropriate vetting procedures. Resources are well deployed and the childminder ensures children are fully supervised at all times. The childminder obtains parental consents for the seeking of emergency advice or treatment. She is aware of any legal restrictions and who has parental responsibility for the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in her care. The childminder has effectively identified potential risks to children and has taken action to minimise these risks. However, the written risk assessment

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the early years provision

record does not effectively include all areas of the home. For example, the record does not include the steps in the garden and the rear lounge fire. Consequently, this may potentially impact upon the children's overall safety. The childminders home is warm and welcoming to visitors, children and their parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing an equal service to children and their families. Good arrangements are made to ensure children of all ages and capabilities access all of the toys and activities that are available. The childminder demonstrates how children with special educational needs and/or disabilities can be fully involved in the life of the setting. The childminder has a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and her systems for monitoring and evaluating her service are developing well. The childminder is using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has identified her strengths and areas she would like to improve. She is presently considering devising a questionnaire to ascertain the parent's full views on the service she provides as this area is not presently fully effective.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good as secure working relationships are established. Parents are invited to share their knowledge on their child's individual routine and stage of development at the onset of care and thereafter. Consequently, the childminder is able to effectively meet the children's on-going needs. The childminder provides parents of young children with a daily diary detailing the activities they have been involved in and their general well-being. Therefore, this ensures they are fully informed about the care they have received whilst with the childminder. She shares that parents are happy with the service she provides and that she has not received any complaints. For example, she states that parents especially appreciate that their children are settled and that they like coming to the childminders home. The childminder is aware of the benefits of making links with other providers where children attend more than one setting. As

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the early years provision

a result, children can be provided with consistency in their care and education.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance of adult-lead and child-initiated activities. The childminder monitors the children's involvement and responds by changing the resources as children become disengaged. She supports their learning by playing with them or alongside them and allowing them to lead their own learning. The childminder is securely implementing the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each child has a learning journey where the childminder keeps observations and assessments of their learning. She then uses this information to determine what they need to learn next. As a result, children are making good progress across the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Settling in procedures are effective, the childminder encourages parents to spend as little or as much time as they choose in her home to ensure their children are comfortable in her care. The childminder has a warm and comforting approach towards the children's individual needs. She is sensitive towards their feelings in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 new or less familiar situations. For example, on the arrival of the inspector she takes time to make sure the children feel secure. The children enjoy cuddling up to the childminder when listening to a story and when they are tired. Children also enjoy spending time with their peers, they play together enjoying the activities that they self-select or are introduced to by the childminder. Therefore, the children's personal, social and emotional development is fostered effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of their own safety is enhanced. This is because the childminder talks to the children about their safety whilst out on short walks in the local community. For example, she explains that when they walk along the canal or near open water she talks to them about the potential dangers. The childminder describes she encourages young children to hold her hand and stay away from the water's edge. The childminder also keeps children safe in her home by explaining how to prevent accidents. Children's health is promoted well as good procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children follow effective hygiene practices as they take increasing responsibility for washing their hands appropriately throughout the day. They are provided with individual resources, such as, flannels and hand towels. Children are provided with food which effectively considers their nutritional needs and their personal preferences. For

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and outcomes for children

example, children are offered raisins at morning snack time and pasta and ham for lunch. During the afternoon they are provided with fruit of their own choice, for example, they choose between bananas and oranges. Children regularly spend time outdoors in local parks and in the childminders garden. Therefore, their overall health is enhanced. 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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