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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are calm and confident as they explore the stimulating environment. The childminder forms secure bonds with the children, who frequently approach her to ask a question or to celebrate a success. Parents say that their children are happy to attend the setting and that they feel they are safe. The childminder is responsive to the children's feelings. She picks up on slight changes in children's behaviour and offers comfort when they need it.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans a wide variety of fun and engaging activities and experiences, which motivate and support children to make progress. Learning is meaningful and well sequenced. For example, after reading 'Jack and the Beanstalk', children plant beans to grow their own plants. The childminder knows each child's individual next steps in learning and their interests well. She uses this information to build on their knowledge and skills as they play. As a result, children have good attitudes to learning and they engage in activities for long periods of time.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and follow the setting's rules. When minor disputes occur, the childminder supports the children to resolve the conflict. For example, when a child takes a container from another child, the childminder sensitively explores the issue with the children. This helps children to consider how their behaviour impacts others and helps them to learn to share and take turns.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans and implements an exciting curriculum, which focuses on the prime areas of learning in the early years foundation stage. For example, play dough activities help to develop the muscles in the children's hands, and spooning soil into a pot develops their hand-eye coordination. n Teaching methods are effective and support children to make good progress. The childminder offers the children opportunities to practise and embed learning. For example, after she supports the children to plant a bean, the activity is left out for them to explore independently. Warm and attentive interactions strengthen children's learning. However, the childminder does not always allow sufficient time for children to process their thoughts and respond to questions, or use open-ended questions that require children to think deeply. n Developing children's language and communication skills is a priority for the

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need to do better?

childminder. Children enjoy interactive story times where the childminder encourages them to talk about the characters and events and join in with the story's phrases. For example, children repeat the giant's words 'fee-fi-fo-fum' when reading 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. This supports children to become effective communicators.

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need to do better?

5 July 2023 n The childminder adapts her teaching and activities according to the age and stage of each child. For example, while using washable pens on the patio windows, she encourages the children to either make marks or write letters or their whole name depending on their level of development. n Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and outdoor play in the extensive garden and on trips to the local park. Children enjoy riding balance bikes and painting the fence using water and paint brushes. This supports their physical development. n The childminder develops children's understanding of the world by planting and growing plants in her greenhouse. The children learn how to care for animals by helping her to look after her tortoise, dog and fish. This encourages them to explore and interact with the natural world. n Children learn about British values through talking about similarities and

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need to do better?

differences between people, making choices and following rules. This helps them to get along with others and see themselves as a valued individual. n Parents highly recommend the childminder. They are 'delighted' with the service that she provides as they feel that their children 'flourish' in her care. Parents report that the childminder informs them of their child's learning and that their child makes good progress. The childminder works in partnership with parents. She gives them advice on how to support development, learning and well-being at home. For example, they work together to toilet train children and develop children's communication and social skills. n The childminder reflects on her practice and adapts future teaching and learning in order to improve the quality of her provision. She engages in professional development and training to upskill herself on current educational thinking and

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need to do better?

theories. However, professional development does not always specifically target areas for development or raise specific outcomes for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that her home and garden are safe and secure. She carries out daily checks of the environment and removes hazards. For example, she removes fallen leaves from a neighbour's holly tree and ensures that floors are clean and dry. This minimises risk to children. The childminder has a sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection issues. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to follow local procedures if she has concerns. The childminder knows the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or another adult.

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should:

5 July 2023 n further promote children's thinking skills by giving them longer to process their thoughts and by asking more open-ended questions that require children to think deeply n further improve the quality of teaching and learning by engaging in professional development that specifically targets areas for development or raises specific outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493654 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 10289404 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 6 Date of previous inspection 23 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. Sessions are available from Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 5pm, except for Wednesday. She operates her childminding service all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. 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 request.

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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

5 July 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

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