Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261631 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Permjit Tanda Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her adult son in Handsworth, Birmingham. The ground floor of the property and the bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is currently minding four children after school. She is also registered to provide overnight care and is minding one child under five years overnight at the weekend. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children learn the importance of appropriate hygiene and personal care and the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Satisfactory hygiene practices are adopted to prevent the spread of infection. The children’s welfare is promoted because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being outside, however there are limited resources to keep children occupied and to promote their physical development. For example, children play with the swing ball outdoors but quickly become disinterested and resort to climbing the high fence to challenge themselves and demonstrate their skills. Children visit the local park on occasions on their way home from school. During the winter month’s children have limited opportunities for outdoor play or planned physical activity indoors and therefore children become over boisterous at times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children cared for after school benefit from a healthy and nutritious cooked tea which includes freshly prepared vegetables, meat and fish. Children help themselves to fresh drinking water and enjoy eating a selection of fresh fruit as additional snacks. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet, for example, children explain how water benefits their body. Children’s special dietary requirements and preferences are considered. The childminding takes account of parent’s wishes and takes heed of the information provided to meet their needs. Parents provide babies feeds and meals which are stored appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently in the areas used indoors. This is because the childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in their environment. Children’s safety on walking to school and visits is considered, for example, children begin to understand about the need to stay safe when crossing the road. However little consideration has been given to the children’s safety whilst playing in the garden. The area is not fully secure and children are able to leave the premises unsupervised, this compromises the children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from an appropriate range of toys and equipment, which meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare and safety is promoted as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to an appropriate range of toys and activities which are well-organised and easily accessible. This selection includes opportunities for children to build and construct

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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 and play imaginatively. Children have regular opportunities to increase their creativity through using crayons, felt pens, paints and making collage. Children have time to relax in front of the television and play their favourite board games. Children increase their social skills through having time to chat freely and they learn to share, take turns and negotiate whilst playing independently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Part of the routine also includes time for children to sit and listen to instrumental music and increase their mathematical development and writing skills. This time is also used to read and share stories which helps children develop a fondness for books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children increase their awareness of the local environment through discussion and they learn to identify local features whilst walking from school. Children learn about their own cultures and beliefs, for example, children celebrate Christmas, Mother and Father’s day but have little opportunity to learn about others cultures. Children’s individual experiences are valued through the childminder taking an interest, for example, children have created pictures of their holiday to Jamaica. Children have access to an appropriate range of toys and resources promoting positive images of race, culture and disability. The childminder is able to adapt activities and the environment to meet the needs of children with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know what is expected of them and understand behaviour boundaries because the childminder is consistent in her approach. However when dealing with challenging behaviour the childminder does not always effectively adopt positive behaviour strategies and this means children do not gain good levels of self-esteem. Parents are informed verbally of incidents of behaviour which may arise but a written record is not maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She works with parents, in order to identify their likes, dislikes and personalities to help her meet the needs of the children in her care. Parent’s opinions and views are valued and considered though the use of feedback forms which parents are encouraged to complete.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a familiar adult in a relaxed environment. They increase their independence through deciding what they would like to do daily. Children are kept occupied and interested when indoors but have few opportunities to increase their physical development. Overall the safety of children is promoted but thorough risk assessments have not been conducted to make the garden safe. The childminder's knowledge of how to handle challenging behaviour in an appropriate manner is limited and all incidents are not recorded.

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Organisation

All of the required records, policies and procedures are in place and there are clear written business contracts with parents.

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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 The childminder shares information regularly with parents through verbal feedback. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were made which the childminder agreed to address. All recommendations have been fully implemented.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's enjoying and achieving has improved through the childminder providing sufficient, suitable toys and activities promoting children's development and offering challenge. The range of resources depicting equality of opportunity and diversity has increased through access to multicultural books, dolls and play figures depicting race and disability. The use of the television has been limited and appropriate, age related and educational programmes are watched.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety has improved through the childminder providing a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards in the kitchen.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider of Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 satisfactory. 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): • increase the opportunities children have for physical exercise and play • ensure the garden is made secure • increase knowledge of how to manage a wide range of children's behaviour which promotes their welfare and development • ensure all incidents of behaviour are recorded.

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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 • increase the opportunities children have to learn about other cultures and beliefs.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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