Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319120 Inspection date 08 June 2006 Inspector Janet Ashcroft

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three years and seven years, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor, except the study, is used for childminding and upstairs, the bathroom, front bedroom and middle back bedroom are used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time; she presently has three children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions.

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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 offers a collection and delivery service to local schools and nurseries. She is a member of the National Childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene routines through the childminder’s good practice, for example, hand washing before eating and after toileting. They are encouraged and supported in developing skills of self-reliance with regard to personal hygiene through the equipment provided by the childminder, for example, older children have individually colour coded towels and younger children are provided with baby wipes to clean their own hands and faces. Children are given frequent opportunities to exercise outdoors and full use is made of the garden, where the children are able to access a good range of equipment to develop and practise a wide range of physical skills. Children’s nutritional needs are accommodated well, for example, drinks are always available and meals are prepared daily on the premises with fruit and vegetables offered every day. Mealtimes are a relaxed, social event and the children practise

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Helping children to be healthy

good manners and socially acceptable behaviour as they eat together at the dining table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move independently around the setting, which is clean and well maintained. The designated play room offers a vibrant and stimulating environment for children to play and learn. Their sense of belonging is fostered by displays of their creative work and personal photographs, some of them displayed in frames made by the children themselves. Children's skills of decision making and independence are enhanced as they freely access a good range of toys, equipment and furniture, which is kept in a clean and safe condition and which promotes all areas of development. The range is well-balanced and varies in complexity, offering a challenge to all children. The childminder has a high level of awareness of possible risks to children’s safety and has taken thorough steps to remove hazards from the setting. As a result, the children are able to play, eat and sleep in very safe and healthy premises. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children are actively learning how to keep themselves safe as they participate in safety routines, for example, road crossing drills. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's sound knowledge of signs and symptoms and of reporting procedures.

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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 involved in a broad and well-balanced range of activities and experiences, which helps them make progress in all areas of development. Spontaneous events and children's individual interests are effectively used by the childminder to extend their learning experience. Children are given frequent opportunities to explore and investigate and are learning to make choices as they access toys and equipment freely and independently. The children benefit from an extensive number of learning and play opportunities outside the home, many of which stimulate their interest in the natural world, for example, regular trips to Drayton Manor Zoo Park and the local children's farm. The children particularly enjoy visits to the Midland Art Centre, where they are able to experience a wide range of exciting and unusual art and craft activities. Children's language development is promoted throughout the day as they are given

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

frequent opportunities to discuss, negotiate and respond to questions asked of them by the childminder. Their confidence in their language skills is enhanced by the childminder's positive response to their comments. Children benefit from the childminder's desire to improve her practice through extending her knowledge and she has embarked upon a self-initiated programme of research, using child care and education text books. She has some knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, although she has not yet implemented this within her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are able to freely access a large and meaningful range of activities and resources to raise their awareness and understanding of diversity. For example, they have visited Birmingham Market, where they were able to taste foods from around the world and examine materials and artefacts from other cultures and religions. In addition, the setting is decorated with collages depicting people of varying age, gender, physical ability and ethnicity, making a welcoming environment for all. Although she has not cared for children with learning difficulties, the childminder was able to demonstrate a pro-active and sensitive approach through discussion. The children behave well and show care and concern for one another; they are actively learning about socially acceptable behaviour through the childminder's good example and through her gentle, positive reminders. The children's self-esteem is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

very effectively promoted by the childminder, who is skilful in allocating achievable tasks, such a setting the table; the children's pride in their achievements is enhanced as they are praised frequently for effort and success. The children benefit from the childminder's good relationship with parents, which

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ensures strong continuity of care and fosters the children's sense of security. The childminder exchanges information with parents about their children's progress on a daily basis and in a variety of ways.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's record keeping, which is generally well-organised and regularly reviewed. However, not all documentation is readily available, for example, the childminder is not able to provide evidence of her first aid training. The children are able to explore and investigate as a result of the well organised use of space, which has been planned to enable them to participate in a variety of stimulating activities. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support and a familiar daily routine. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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): • develop knowledge and understanding of the stages of younger children's

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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 development, for example, by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure that all records, which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, are maintained and always available for inspection.

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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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