Childminder, Out-of school day care in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY310991 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Lucy Showell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their children aged four and five, in Acocks Green, Birmingham. The whole ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. The childminder attends local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle while at the setting. They are well nourished through freshly cooked meals and enjoy good physical activity through walking to and from school, woodland walks, playing at the park and at activity centres and indoors they dance around and sing actions songs. Children’s welfare is promoted through generally good documentation including dietary information discussed with parents and recorded. However, medication records are not completed accurately. Children benefit through a clean and tidy environment and stay healthy because the childminder has good hygiene procedures. For example, they wash their hands thoroughly using liquid soap and use individual towels to dry. Children’s care is fostered through good care routines. For example, effective and hygienic nappy change procedures. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and learn about healthy living through discussion and communication. For example,

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Helping children to be healthy

they talk about how eating fruit and vegetables will help them to grow up big and strong and are encouraged and praised while they eat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is promoted through useful documentation including accident forms completed correctly and signed by parents. Children are protected from harm through the childminder’s good knowledge of child protection issues. For example, she demonstrates good understanding of her role through answering scenario questions and has shared the local Area Child Protection Committee guide to good practice with parents. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. Their welfare is promoted through the childminder’s good knowledge and proactive skills with regard to safety and are kept safe through effective use of safety equipment in place. Children’s safety on outings is promoted well. For example, children walk carefully to and from school and hold on to the push chair when crossing the road. They learn about their own and others' safety through gentle reminders during play and enjoy

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

good access to a wide range of resources that are suitable for their age and developmental stage and comply with British safety standards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children’s play and individual needs are promoted well through free access to a wide range of toys and resources that are suitable for all ages and abilities and are rotated to maintain children’s interest. Children’s enjoyment and achievements at the setting are evidenced through documentation in place including examples of children’s art work including painting, sticking and drawing and activity plans detailing outings, groups and visits. However, the childminder has no knowledge of the `Birth to three matters’ framework. Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through receiving plenty of encouragement and praise for efforts and achievements. They interact well with the childminder. For example, they enjoy a friendly and fun relationship with joking,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tickles and laughter. They enjoy helping to tidy up and respond well when asked. Children interact age appropriately with each other. For example, young children watch and copy older children. They enjoy playing alongside one another and make play dough shapes using the cutters, rolling pins and presser.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s continuity of care is promoted well through the childminder’s effective relationship with the parents. For example, records are completed and shared, verbal feedback is given on a daily basis and regular discussions are held to agree children’s needs. Children have a developing understanding of acceptable behaviour. They are well behaved and enjoy helping and taking responsibility. For example, they like to do `big jobs’ for the childminder like fetching their own coats. Children develop good self-esteem and have growing respect for others. They show some awareness of the needs of others and their own needs and receive and give support during play. For example, older children support younger ones during play activities by helping to find favourite toys and at dinner time older children wave their hands over the food to cool it down. Children’s sense of belonging is effectively developed through the familiar

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Helping children make a positive contribution

environment and routines. For example, children are aware of the daily routine and can predict what they are going to do next. Children’s awareness and understanding of the diverse community is developing. For example, they play with a range of resources which promote positive images and enjoy activities which develop awareness of different cultures and festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is promoted well through the necessary documentation in place and through the childminder’s proactive approach with regard to confidentiality. For example, records are stored in individual files and will be reviewed annually. Children benefit through the childminder’s relationship with parents and through the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 information shared. Children’s individual needs are effectively met through well organised routines. For example, activities are arranged around nappy changes and sleep times and space is used well to enable children to enjoy free movement and a good range of activities. Children’s welfare is promoted effectively through the policies and procedures that work well in practice. For example, children are safe and healthy, they enjoy and achieve at the setting and are making a positive contribution. Therefore, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children at the setting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure medication records are completed accurately • attend training and implement practice with regard to `Birth to three matters’ framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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