Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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250297 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2007 Inspection date Ann Doreen Burford 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 outstanding. 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 1998. She lives with her husband and three sons aged 16, 13 and 10 years, in a house in Shirley, Solihull. They live within walking distance of the local shops and the park. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently nine children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. Children are aged from one to seven years of age. Children aged over eights years can also attend.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a guinea pig, and goldfish in a tank.

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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 outstanding. Children lead a very healthy lifestyle because of their participation in a wide range of activities that support their learning about how to keep themselves healthy. Children are starting to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. This is achieved because of the childminder's appropriate home rules, such as taking outdoor shoes off in her home. All the floors in her home are laminate wood so are easy to keep clean. The children can develop their independence in taking care of their own personal hygiene needs. They can easily access the downstairs shower room situated off the area of the house mostly used for children's play. There is a range of suitable equipment to help young children learn about toilet training. Individual towels and liquid soap mean children learn safe hand washing procedures and helps to prevent the risk of cross-infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and

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Helping children to be healthy

takes appropriate measures to care for children when they are ill. Children who have an infectious disease are excluded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished because they are offered a daily choice of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables. When meals are provided by the childminder she consults the children about the choice of menu and they often help in the preparation. She provides a balanced diet and because the choices are healthy the children are developing their palates accordingly, so enjoy and freely choose the nutritious ingredients. Parents can choose to provide a packed lunch which is safely stored because the childminder shows very good awareness of current food hygiene guidance such as having a thermometer in the refrigerator. Children are always encouraged to eat the healthier options first from their packed lunches by the childminder and she gives parents advice about healthier choices if they wish. Parents are kept informed about what all the children eat through the use of daily diaries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample daily fresh air and exercise. They regularly go for walks in the local surroundings this includes walks to the local shops and to collect older children from school. These outings are used to great effect to promote enjoyment of exercise and a love of the outdoor life. They have a wide range of outdoor toys to develop their coordination and to offer challenge. Children enjoy physical activity. They have rest and sleep according to their needs because the childminder uses the child's daily routine at home and blends it into the childminding day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a homely, welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. This is achieved because the childminder has selected a suitable part of her home and creates a child-friendly environment. They use the large dining area off the kitchen and the lounge. Posters are displayed at child height and are used to promote conversation and create an attractive stimulating area. The childminder selects and sets out a range of toys based on the children's interests and age-range and once children are settled they choose additional resources

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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 for themselves. This helps children to settle quickly. There is an extensive range of equipment which meets current safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder promotes clear rules that they can repeat and understand. When going for a walk an agreed marker is agreed so children can have the freedom of walking on their own whilst developing their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Road safety is promoted and because the children go for such frequent walks their awareness is well developed. Children are given the opportunities to learn about the consequences of their actions through the provision of acceptable risk and challenge. This is to promote children's understanding of how to develop safe play for themselves consequently they are developing their sense of responsible behaviour. The childminder completes a visual risk assessment of her home and when children are out on a visit. She is vigilant in her safety procedures. For example there is a unique locking system on the front door that is easy to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

operate in an emergency put prevents children leaving unnoticed or unwanted visitors from entering. There is also a gate across the drive that makes sure children can be safely dropped off and collected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role and responsibilities in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She shows a clear understanding of who to contact and has developed a written policy to share with parents. The childminder has experience and relevant training to ensure her knowledge and understanding of child protection is well developed. She is the child protection officer for a local sports club so has accessed training through this. This has also developed her ability to assess the suitability of unvetted persons. The minder has developed an informative, written policy on physical contact with the children for parents' information. This includes nurturing, hygiene and safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make excellent progress because the childminder takes every opportunity to extend their learning in a fun and stimulating way through play. The childminder knows the children in her care well and informally plans activities, topics and experiences around them taking the next step in their development. This means children have their individual needs met. She uses her knowledge and understanding of 'Birth to three matters' to underpin her provision and choice of activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest in what they do and interact well with the childminder, she asks open ended questions to trigger their thinking and problem solving for themselves, with support when needed. Children can use their initiative because there is a broad range of natural materials for them to use imaginatively. For example, the children were experimenting with a box and its contents. They made pretend snowballs from tissue paper and lots of giggles followed the harmless throwing competition. The childminder is particularly adept at following the lead of the children and extending their ideas to stimulate their natural curiosity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices and take decisions for themselves. They can self-select from the range set out by the minder and her flexible approach means children can lead the play. She applies

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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 her informal planning flexibly so there is an effective mix of adult and child-led play. This helps children to develop as autonomous learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can use their initiative because there is a broad range of natural materials for them to use imaginatively. The childminder is particularly adept at following the lead of the children and extending their ideas to stimulate their natural curiosity. Children have fun and learn through their play because of the wealth of experiences the childminder provides. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn and adapts her service to meet the needs of all the children. They have a strong relationship build on mutual respect and trust.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a strong sense of belonging because their needs are known by the childminder and she is sensitive to meeting them. This is initially achieved because of the her diligence to settling children and getting to know them and their families. All the minded children are welcomed into the home by the family members. The children are confident and relaxed. The childminder uses local facilities such as library services to provide a wealth of experiences and resources for the children so they develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Children also become aware of the wider society through their outings. They go for walks and use this opportunity to look and discuss the other families with young children as well as the older members of society. Thus learning respect for the local community. Children are encouraged to bring their own toys so they make links between their home and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She re-enforces the older children's learning about festivals and celebrations after school and shares this with the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities are actively welcomed to the setting. The childminder has experience of caring for children with behaviour and associated learning difficulties and children with sensory impairment and medical needs. She has learnt basic sign language. She works closely with parents and other professionals from specialist units. She keeps her knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs up-to-date and is particularly proactive in meeting medical needs and monitoring children's progress. She signposts parents to additional advice and support as necessary. The childminder has a positive approach to inclusive practice and promotes developing a positive attitude for all the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive appropriate support, because the childminder shows a very good understanding of when to step back and allow children to experiment and challenge themselves. She quickly steps in when needed and interacts well with all the children. Her detailed knowledge of each child helps her to know and read their individual moods and can counteract and adapt her activities to fully occupy the child. This means the children are exceptionally well behaved. Children work harmoniously with others because they have learnt how to share and take turns. This is because of how the childminder conducts herself and her high expectations of children's behaviour. The written behaviour policy is shared with parents so consistency is promoted. She has a good understanding of children developing an understanding that rules change dependant on where they are. The rules in school are different to those at the childminder's home so she

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Helping children make a positive contribution

offers support to them adapting their behaviour to their location.

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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 Children are cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet each individual child's needs and ensure they are included fully in the life of the setting. A wealth of written evidence from parents reflects the high standard of care she provides for families. She provides exceptional support for families going through difficult periods and adapts her provision to continue to meet their changing needs. Parents are kept well informed through the use of a daily diary where they can learn about the activities their child has participated in as well as their personal care. Parents are always welcome to chat when they collect their child or to telephone later if that is more suitable or appropriate. Parents are provided with a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures that reflect her provision. This ensures they are fully informed about

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children, she accesses relevant training and informally evaluates her own practice. She uses websites and relevant journals to keep abreast of current good practice and changes her own procedures appropriately. The childminder reflects on her practice and involves the children and parents on how to improve her service. This is achieved through informal conversations. She keeps her knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy and new initiatives up-to-date and effectively analyses the impact on the children in her care and how this affects her practice. This means she is constantly striving for improvement and identifies best practice to promote the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who shows a clear knowledge and understanding of child development. She takes every reasonable step to protect children from persons who are not vetted. For example, she uses reputable maintenance workers and tries to arrange work when minded children are not present. She has good awareness of vetting suitable persons because of her role as child protection officer for a local sports club this means she takes responsibility for vetting new coaches and any adults coming into contact with children.

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Organisation

All the required policies, procedures and record keeping work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All of the documentation is readily available for inspection. It is reviewed and updated in accordance to changes in legislation. Children's information is stored securely and confidentiality is maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure all rooms were safe for the children. She has re-organised her use of the space. The minded children no longer use upstairs. This means the contents and organisation of the ground floor rooms can be more effectively monitored and children play in a safe environment. There is sufficient space when only using the ground floor.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 She has also greatly improved the documentation kept to share with parents. This has enhanced the partnership with them and improved their understanding of the service provided.

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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 or 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 the 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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