Childminder 259976

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed into a caring and thoughtfully organised environment, where they feel safe and secure. The childminder places great emphasis on settling children in at their own pace. She takes time to get to know each child and their family, developing strong and trusting relationships from the very beginning. As a result, children form close attachments and show a strong sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans the curriculum well and children enjoy playing with a wide range of thoughtfully selected toys and resources that support their learning and development. For example, they build towers and ships using construction blocks, which encourages their problem-solving skills and imaginative thinking. They also explore play dough, using a variety of tools and cutters, which promotes creativity and helps to strengthen the small muscles in their hands in preparation for early writing.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate good levels of independence. They confidently choose their own resources, tidy away after play and manage their own personal care according to their age and ability. The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles and supports children's understanding of the world around them through regular outings and conversations about different cultures and communities. The childminder is highly responsive to children's emotional needs and children's behaviour is exemplary. Children consistently show kindness towards each other, share resources and even the youngest of children learn to take their turn.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate consistently positive behaviour. They show high levels of respect, empathy and cooperation, and older children are increasingly able to manage their emotions independently. The childminder supports this through calm, sensitive and consistent interactions. She models how to manage emotions effectively and gently guides children in recognising and responding to their feelings. Her nurturing approach builds children's confidence and self-esteem, creating a secure emotional foundation from which they flourish. n The childminder uses her secure understanding of child development to plan learning that builds on what each child already knows and can do. She carefully observes children to assess their progress and identify next steps. Activities are thoughtfully adapted to reflect children's interests and stages of development. For example, when a child shows an interest in animals, the childminder

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need to do better?

introduces storybooks, songs, and small-world play linked to that theme, extending language and early literacy in a meaningful context. This responsive approach ensures that each child remains engaged, challenged and supported in

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 their learning. n The childminder supports children's language and fine motor development well through hands-on activities. For example, during a play dough session, the childminder introduces vocabulary such as 'flat, squish', and 'roll' while using a range of tools, like rolling pins, pine cones and shape cutters. Children confidently roll out their own dough, use cutters to make shapes and name the shapes with ease. The childminder offers praise and encouragement throughout. However, she does not yet consistently use thought-provoking questions to extend children's thinking or spark their imagination, which means some children do not always gain the most from all of the learning experiences on offer. n The childminder promotes children's personal development effectively. She encourages children to develop independence in their self-care and fosters positive attitudes towards learning. Children are curious and resilient, showing

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need to do better?

pride in their achievements. They develop an age-appropriate understanding of difference and diversity in themselves and others. n The childminder enhances children's experiences by taking them on regular outings in the local community. Children attend local playgroups, where they develop social skills, learn to take turns, share and play alongside others. They also visit local shops and explore nearby parks and play areas, helping them to become familiar with their surroundings, build confidence and enjoy active outdoor play. n The childminder supports children's early mathematical development effectively through engaging play, such as with blocks and puzzles. She introduces mathematical language, such as 'big,'small, tall' and 'measure', enabling children to explore these concepts in meaningful ways. Children start to develop a good understanding of early mathematical language and ideas. n Leadership and management are strong. The childminder reflects on her practice

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need to do better?

and takes part in regular training, such as recent courses on supporting speech and language development. This has enabled her to introduce more targeted language activities, helping children build vocabulary and communication skills more effectively. n Parents speak extremely positively about the childminder. They describe her as patient, kind and nurturing, with a dedicated and collaborative approach to supporting their children's development. Parents value the wide variety of resources and activities available and say their children are happy, make good progress and thoroughly enjoy attending. They comment on the strong bonds the childminder builds with children and how well she supports friendships, helping their children to feel secure, confident and socially connected.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open culture and safeguarding is effective.

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should:

n develop questioning techniques to extend children's thinking and imagination skills to enable them to gain the most from their learning experiences. n

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Setting details

Unique reference number 259976 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 10399386 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 7 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in the Knowle area of Solihull. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides government funded childcare places. She holds a childcare qualification at level 5.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation, including attendance records and the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector and childminder discussed the intentions for the curriculum.

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Inspection activities

23 September 2025 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

23 September 2025 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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