Childminder in Walsall

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's welcoming and friendly home. They form strong early attachments with the childminder. The childminder provides a calm, nurturing environment for children, offering plenty of hugs and cuddles throughout the day. Babies bounce up and down, wave their arms and happily greet visitors. Children are confident. They are happy to welcome visitors into their play and share toys. The childminder provides a broad curriculum for children, which offers a range of age-appropriate experiences. She carefully plans her curriculum based on the current interests of the children.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the age-appropriate experiences that are available. Babies choose to play with a shape sorter. They pick up the shapes, have a feel of them and then look to see where they can fit. This helps to strengthen muscles in their arms and fingers and improves hand-to-eye coordination. The childminder skilfully supports early language development by commenting while babies play. She uses short sentences, such as 'it's green' and 'it's a square'. This helps children to build their vocabulary.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of the children's behaviour and gently reminds them to say 'please' and 'thank you'. She praises and encourages children regularly throughout the day.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very experienced and knows how children learn and develop. For example, as babies start to pull themselves up, she provides opportunities for them to develop strength in their legs to aid walking. The childminder helps babies to mount ride-on wheeled toys, shaped in the form of a dog. She supports babies to use their legs to push themselves on the toy. The childminder then begins to make a 'woof' sound to imitate the sound of a dog's bark. Babies are absolutely thrilled by this and they smile and giggle with delight as the childminder interacts with them. n The childminder owns a plot at a local allotment that she visits with the children. Children grow a range of organic vegetables from seed to produce, including onions, courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes and leeks. Children learn how things grow and change over time. The childminder uses this fresh produce to prepare meals and snacks for the children. She also sends vegetable packs

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need to do better?

home with the children, for their families to enjoy at home. The children also enjoy outings to parks and local walks. However, outdoor learning experiences are not always available daily. n The childminder collects relevant information from parents before a child starts, to ensure a smooth transition and consistency in care routines. She completes a

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need to do better?

4 January 2023 lot of written assessments on each child's development and progress. She understands that she does not need to keep extensive written records in order to have an accurate understanding of children's development. However, there are still opportunities to reduce her paperwork load further. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The childminder makes regular assessments of children, and sources help from external agencies at the earliest opportunity. She has also completed copious amounts of courses to extend her own knowledge on how to support children in their learning and development. This includes courses specifically related to children with SEND. n Parents are very happy with the service that the childminder provides. They comment that the childminder is very flexible and understanding. They say that they trust her more than family members, and liken her to a 'fairy godmother'.

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need to do better?

The childminder has regular feedback sessions with parents to keep them informed of their child's day. She sends parents regular updates and website links to aid parents to continue their child's learning at home. The childminder is passionate about providing good quality education for children in her care. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for their next stage in education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder knows how to keep children safe from harm. She knows the different signs and symptoms of abuse and who to report to if she has concerns. She knows what procedures to follow if she is concerned about another adult's inappropriate conduct with children. She is familiar with signs of radicalisation and knows how to report her concerns. The premises are safe and secure. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments to her premises and resources to ensure their ongoing suitability and safety. Hazardous substances are kept out of reach of children.

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should:

n review and reflect on the amount of paperwork, such as observations and assessments of children's learning, to reduce workload n make better use of the outdoor space, to inspire children and extend the opportunities for them to explore and investigate their outdoor environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY382913 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 10235260 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 12 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and lives in Walsall. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. Funded early education is provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

4 January 2023 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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