Childminder in Solihull

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children have lots of fun in the home-from-home environment the childminder creates and are happy and comfortable. They develop lovely relationships with the childminder and their peers. Children behave well and know what is expected of them. They are encouraged to be kind to one another and take turns.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans enjoyable and exciting activities, considering children's interests and stages of development. She provides children with lots of praise and encouragement to build on their confidence and self-esteem. In turn, children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and are motivated to join in with activities. They maintain great levels of concentration and engagement as they create 'potions' using lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda. They watch in excitement and comment that the concoction is 'fizzy'. Children use spoons to mix in food colouring, and recognise that their potion has turned 'orange'.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's independence skills. For example, she encourages children to help to make their own sandwiches for lunch by spreading butter and selecting fillings. Children show great pride as they successfully put on their own wellies and coats before going outside. As a result, children learn to manage tasks for themselves and develop good self-care skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is dedicated and passionate about the service she provides. She networks with other childminders in the local area to share ideas and reflect on her practice. However, she does not always use the information from these reflections to target professional development opportunities aimed at elevating the quality of her teaching skills even further. n The childminder understands how children learn. Her curriculum is well sequenced and supports children who are at different ages and stages of development. For instance, she helps children to develop their early mathematics skills. Children confidently count pumpkins, identifying that they have six, with her support. They demonstrate an awareness of different sizes during conversations as older children recognise that younger children are 'smaller' than they are. n Overall, the childminder supports children's learning well during their play.

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need to do better?

However, she does not consistently provide children with the highest levels of challenge. On occasion, children are not always given enough time to think and respond when asked a question or the childminder, sometimes, is too leading, preventing them from developing their own ideas. Nevertheless, the childminder repeats activities with children to consolidate previous learning and supports them to develop new skills. As a result, children make good progress from their

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need to do better?

21 October 2021 starting points. n The childminder regularly observes the children and tracks their progress to identify any gaps in learning. In turn, children's communication, language and literacy skills are developing well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For instance, children display a love of reading from an early age. They enthusiastically recite the story of 'Room on the Broom' and can remember the objects that the witch lost and the animals who found them. The childminder provides a narrative of what is happening while children play. This enables children to expand their vocabulary even further. Children demonstrate the broad range of words they know as they joyfully sing familiar nursery rhymes. n The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, children talk about road safety on the walk to and from school. They understand that they must 'stop, look and listen' as they reach the end of the pavement.

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need to do better?

Children listen to the childminder's instructions and identify that moving cars are a hazard. n The childminder understands the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles for children. She encourages children to follow good hygiene routines, such as regularly washing their hands. She provides children with a range of healthy snacks and meals. As a result, children learn to make healthy food choices. Children benefit from plenty of exercise as they walk to school daily and go on regular outings in the local area. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak very highly of the care and learning their children receive. They comment that the childminder keeps them up to date with their child's progress and that they feel like part of the family.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date through attending regular training courses. She is able to accurately identify the potential symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She knows how and when to make a referral to help keep children safe. The childminder ensures that children are continuously supervised when in her care. She completes thorough risk assessments in her home and on outings to identify and minimise any potential risks. The childminder maintains all required documentation. For example, she carefully records children's attendance, noting their arrival and departure times.

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should:

n provide even more opportunities for children to be challenged in their learning to

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should:

21 October 2021 support them to make the best possible progress n strengthen self-evaluation to implement a more focused programme of professional development to elevate teaching skills to the highest possible level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554051 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 10174393 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Solihull, Birmingham. She has a relevant early years qualification at level 3. She operates all year round, except for Christmas and bank holidays, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's progress. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to parents where possible and also sought parent's views from written evidence provided. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of household members and qualifications of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

21 October 2021 regulates and inspects 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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