Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313013 Inspection date 04 April 2006 Inspector Elaine Margaret Hayward

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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 2-year-old child in a house in Birmingham. An area of the ground floor is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is currently minding one child who attends part-time. She attends a local toddler group and visits the local park, library and shops which are within walking distance. The childminder is bilingual, speaking both English and Pushto. She can also converse in Urdu.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment. Children's understanding and awareness of good health and hygiene is well promoted through the childminder's encouragement and clear practices. Children's welfare is promoted well because the childminder acts in the children's best interests if they are ill. She has effective procedures to protect children from infection, including minimum recommended exclusion times. She shares this information with parents. Children's individual dietary needs are well met because of the close liaison with parents and the childminder's adherence to their wishes. Children learn about the benefits of a healthy diet as they enjoy fresh fruit. They benefit from drinks, including water and milk, being available at all times. Young children's emotional well-being is fostered and nurtured through care, attention and interaction with the childminder. Children frequently enjoy a wide range

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Helping children to be healthy

of physical activities. They benefit from the fresh air as they play in the local park, and through daily walks to local facilities such as the toddler group and library.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well promoted. Children play in a child-friendly environment which is warm and welcoming, safe and secure. Children choose from a good range of resources which are safe and age-appropriate. Risks are clearly identified and minimised, enabling children to move around safely, freely and independently. There are effective measures, such as fitted gates across doorways in order to keep the children safe. However, although clear emergency fire evacuation procedures are in place, there is currently no smoke detector working on the first floor. The childminder demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures in order to keep the children safe. She shares these clear written procedures with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's learning, development and self-esteem is well promoted as they enjoy a good range of experiences. Young children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of their needs. She knows their likes, dislikes and routines. She provides activities that promote progress and challenge for the children. Each day is

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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 well planned to create a variety of experiences to provide stimulation and fun, such as going to a toddler group where they can participate in creative activities, and then to the park to experience space and fresh air. Young children benefit from a good balance of rest and active times. They are given space to move around and explore their surroundings. She encourages them to use their senses by providing a range of materials for them to experience and explore. Children take great pleasure in her attention to them, laughing and responding with smiles as she gets down on the floor to play with them, or as she cuddles them when they wake up from a sleep. They respond to her praise with beaming smiles as they try to pull themselves up to stand. The children are relaxed and feel very much at

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children's needs are very well met as they follow their routines as discussed and agreed with parents. Children enjoy activities which promote their understanding of the wider world. The childminder has good understanding that some children may have special or additional needs. She has good procedures in place to liaise with parents and professionals as appropriate, in order to identify and meet those needs. There are clear, consistent guidelines and expectations of behaviour, agreed with parents. Young children respond positively to the childminder's gentle tones, facial expressions and body language, which help children to know right from wrong. They respond to the childminder's praise and encouragement. There is a good partnership with parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children are cared for in line with parents' wishes, such as conversing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with the children in their home language. The childminder shares her written policies and procedures with parents. She exchanges information with parents by providing written information and through daily discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that the needs and welfare of the children in her care is her first priority by the effective way she organises her work, documentation, the environment and childcare practice. The children feel at home and at ease within the well-organised, child-friendly environment. She demonstrates good awareness of requirements and responsibilities to ensure the well-being of the children. There are clear, written policies in place. However, some amendments to the National Standards, including the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and the revised complaints procedure, have not yet been implemented by the childminder. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 that a smoke alarm, conforming to BS EN safety standards is fitted on the first floor, and is maintained in working condition • ensure that all the changes to regulation are met, including the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and the revised procedure in regard to complaints.

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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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