Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 250505 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Mary Kelly

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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 1998. She lives with her partner and three children aged ten weeks, two years ten months and fifteen years. They live in Shirley, Solihull, within walking distance of parks, shops, schools and toddler groups. The lounge, daughters bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is currently no garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding three children of whom some attend on a part-time basis.

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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 attends local toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home, where appropriate procedures are in place to minimise the possible spread of infections including regular cleaning of surfaces and toys. Children are beginning to learn the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices through daily routines and gentle reminders from the childminder to wash their hands after any messy play, before meals and after toileting. Cross infection is prevented as the children use separate hand towels to dry their hands. Children have opportunities to play in the local park and visit local soft play areas where they have access to larger climbing apparatus. Children are able to have quiet time for sleeping or relaxing throughout the day and benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines, which ensures that their individual needs are met appropriately. The childminder has a good understanding of current first aid practice and has

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Helping children to be healthy

consent forms from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. She has got a current first aid certificate, this promotes the children's health and safety. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively as parents provide their meals, this ensures that children are eating food suitable for their specific dietary needs. Drinks are provided at regular intervals throughout the day, and the childminder ensures that the children are well hydrated at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from hazards within the home because the childminder has identified potential risks and has ensured that appropriate safety equipment is in place, including stair gates, and socket covers. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with them. She talks to them about road safety when on outings and ensures the safety of the children. However the childminder has not discussed or practised the evacuation procedures with children therefore compromising their safety of what they would do in an emergency. The childminder checks equipment on a daily basis to ensure it is safe and suitable for children to use. The childminder had an adequate understanding of the signs of abuse. She has an adequate knowledge and she displayed confidence about the referral agency contact

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

details and procedures, which in turn safeguards children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder’s home. They play alongside each other and are beginning to play co-operatively, supported by the childminder’s interaction and encouragement to share and take turns. Children have a good relationship with the childminder and readily want her to join in with their play. The childminder spends some of her time playing with the children, whilst listening and talking to them to encourage their language development. The childminder plans activities including many art and craft ideas, they are also beginning to make vases for mother's day. The organisation and storage of resources means that children are easily able to select activities of their choice, therefore promoting their independence and self-confidence. The childminder has a wide and varied range of resources, ensuring that the resources provide challenge and stimulation for the range of children attending. The children have opportunities to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

change the activities as frequently as they wish, as the childminder is aware of the limited concentration span of some of the children due to their age. Practice for the children under three years will be enhanced as the childminder plans to attend further training in 'Birth to three matters'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy a family atmosphere where their backgrounds are valued. Opportunities for children to learn about the wider world are being promoted due to the childminder providing a good range of activities and resources reflecting positive images of culture, race and disability. Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear and consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour. The childminder has an appropriate range of strategies in place to deal with behaviour, including distraction, praise and encouragement. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and have consideration for others and remind each other of the rules throughout their play. Children benefit from the positive relationship that exists between the childminder and parents. Children's needs are established through regular discussion with parents and are met as the childminder follows their daily routines, therefore

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Helping children make a positive contribution

promoting consistency in care. Parents are kept informed about all issues relating to their child through daily verbal feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being, is in place. Daily registers detail children's actual hours of attendance and the childminder also has a complaints record in place to inform parents of any

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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 concerns and complaints if they are made. Children's records are efficiently organised and confidentiality is maintained, while ensuring that parents are well informed. Children benefit from being cared for in a homely environment where they are settled and happy. The childminder has ensured that all adults in the household have been suitably checked and visitors are not left alone with children. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to secure the balcony door, improve the range of resources to support equality and diversity, ladders to her daughters bed made safe, fire blanket located in the kitchen, implement policies and procedures, and to gain public liability insurance, child protection information and emergency consents. She has done this by ensuring the balcony door is locked at all times, improved resources to reflect equality and diversity. The ladders in her daughter's bedroom to the bed have been removed as the bed has been replaced, the fire blanket is mounted on the wall in the kitchen, public liability insurance, child protection information and emergency consents have been obtained for the minded children, and some policies and procedures are now in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 Ofsted have not received any complaints about this provider. 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): • develop and implement an effective emergency evacuation plan • develop a knowledge and awareness of 'Birth to three matters' to enhance

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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 practice with children under three.

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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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