Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/09/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a very good knowledge of how children play and learn, which means she provides exciting and varied learning experiences for children through which they make good progress.  Children are safe, both on and off the premises, as the childminder implements her thorough knowledge and experience of safeguarding practice.  Children are taught to be independent and they are confident and happy in the childminder's care. She promotes healthy lifestyles as children are active and have very healthy meals and snacks.  The childminder monitors and evaluates her provision well so that there is continuous improvement in children's learning experiences.  There are well established links with other early years providers, which means that children's learning is further supported and the childminder engages in mutual support to improve her provision.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Opportunities to fully involve parents in the support of children's next steps in learning are not always maximised.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children engaged in a range of learning activities, play and daily care routines with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning and a range of other documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation process and improvement plans.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers and children, including recent letters from parents containing their comments on the provision.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2014 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and 14-year-old child in Solihull. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She uses the whole of the premises for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder attends local playgroups, visits the shops and park on a regular basis and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently four children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 strengthen the good partnership with parents by exploring further ways to involve them in supporting children's more precise next steps in learning as well as their overall general learning and development.

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who attend

The childminder knows the children very well and plans exciting activities they particularly enjoy. She obtains information from parents about children's achievements when they first come to her, which means that all their individual needs are met. She carries out an informal assessment of each child when they have settled in so that she has a clear starting point on which to build children's learning. She uses her observations of children during their activities to plan their next steps in learning so that they make good progress. She provides exciting learning opportunities for children and there is a good balance across all areas of learning. The childminder has a strong relationship with parents and she encourages them to support children's overall learning and development at home. The strategies being used currently by the childminder are not yet focused enough on the precise next steps for each child to be fully successful in supporting parents to help

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who attend

children progress in these specific areas. Parents are well informed about children's progress and activities each day through both verbal and written communication.

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who attend

The childminder uses the space in her house and garden very well to develop children's learning effectively. She supports this very well through the use of a wide range of good quality resources. Very young children are imaginative as they play with small world toys and explore large construction bricks. The childminder guides their learning skilfully as they play and she uses words to describe the size or colour of objects so children are supported in their early mathematical skills. Children explore the textures of baking ingredients when they make biscuits and cakes. They weigh and measure the ingredients and the childminder uses many opportunities for them to practise counting skills in their daily activities. The childminder notices how children make progress and plans activities for them, to develop further learning. For example, she notices how a very young child has made good progress in using their small muscle skills. The child sets up toy animals

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who attend

and moves the heads and legs carefully so that they can stand up when placed carefully on the high chair tray or table. This prompts the childminder to plan further activities to provide opportunities for the child to do this with other objects.

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who attend

Children develop their physical skills very well because they run around and play ball games in the large garden or at the park. The childminder provides a range of wheeled toys which younger children use to steady themselves when they are learning to walk, so that they gain confidence on their feet. Children use a range of climbing and balancing equipment and the childminder takes them on many outings so they learn about nature, weather and seasons. This gives them a good awareness of the world around them and the changes that take place throughout the year. They grow fruit and vegetables in the garden and learn about where some foods come from when they visit a children's farm. The childminder prepares children very well for school and for the next stage in their learning, as she provides children with a wide range of opportunities to practise early reading and writing and mathematical skills. Young children handle books carefully and

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who attend

show interest in the pictures, which the childminder chats to them about. This supports them in the development of good communication and language skills.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are emotionally secure in the childminder's care. This is because she obtains and shares detailed information about children's needs, routines and preferences so that she meets their needs. Children are very happy and settled and form close bonds with the childminder. They gain confidence and good self-esteem, as she praises them for their achievements and encourages them to try out their ideas. Very young children take naps according to their needs and are checked frequently by the childminder so they are safe. She is flexible with children's routines, for example, when a child is too sleepy to finish lunch, she continues this after the child has slept and awoken refreshed. There are very good relationships between the childminder and the children in the caring, family environment so that children feel safe and secure.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides children with very healthy snacks and meals and teaches them about the importance of making healthy choices. They have a good selection of fresh fruit and vegetables each day and the childminder is aware of children's dietary requirements through her close communication with parents. She notices if young children have not drunk enough water during the morning and encourages them to have some more, particularly when the weather is warm. Children learn to be independent in their self-care routines so they are well prepared for the routines and expectations of nursery and school. As these times draw nearer for each child, the childminder focuses on these in more detail so children practise dressing themselves and learning to take care of their belongings.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's behaviour is excellent and the childminder teaches them to have good manners, to share the toys and take turns. She teaches them to keep themselves safe as they manage risks, with supervision, at the park or in the garden. Children's moves to new settings are managed smoothly so they are emotionally secure. The childminder encourages children to talk about their new uniforms or what they will do at school or nursery. She takes children for walks to their new setting so they become familiar with the building and the surrounding area. The childminder maintains effective communication links with parents and teachers throughout the process, so that children's needs continue to be met.

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provision

The childminder implements her effective safeguarding policies and has a very good understanding of how to protect children. She records accidents and monitors children's health and well-being very effectively. Regular fire drills are practised with children and the premises are very secure. The childminder carries out daily checks to ensure there are no hazards to children. She assesses potential risks on outings so that children are also safe away from the premises. Children are very well supervised and the childminder has attended recent child protection training to refresh her knowledge. She has up-to-date contact details for the appropriate authorities, should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. This means that children are safe and well protected. The childminder and other adults in the house have been suitably vetted and she checks the identity of visitors carefully so that children's safety and welfare are assured. are safe.

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provision

There is effective monitoring of planning and teaching because the childminder reviews her practice and assesses what children learn each week. She can access the support of a local authority early years adviser when necessary, and she studies the recommended guidance to ensure her provision is of good quality. She attends regular training courses to further her knowledge and skills and keeps up to date with current practice and legislation through a childminding association. The childminder engages in effective self-evaluation and focuses on specific areas in order to identify ways to improve children's learning experiences and progress. She includes the views of children and parents in this process so that they are involved and their needs are fully met. Parents are well informed about the childminder's policies and practice as they are provided with comprehensive information.

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provision

The childminder has forged long-established links with local schools and other early years providers, including a Sure Start centre, so that she can enlist additional support for any children who may need this. She benefits from the sharing of ideas and best practice with other childminders each week in order to make continuous improvement in her provision. She speaks to children's teachers each week and knows what they are learning at school, so she can complement and extend this. She is aware of the importance of working with other professionals to support children if the need arises.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY469741 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 962024 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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