Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504621 Unique Reference Number 14 September 2006 Inspection date Paula Hunt 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 was registered in 1985. She lives with her husband in a house in the Northfield area of Birmingham. There are shops, schools and parks within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler groups and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Both the childminder's husband and daughter are also registered childminders and her other daughter is employed as an assistant. When joint childminding they are registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom six maybe under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two cats and a goldfish. She is a member of the local childminder support group and has a level three childcare qualification.

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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 benefit from the childminder having efficient hygiene routines, which help to prevent the spread of infection. Her home is clean and tidy and she ensures work surfaces and children's equipment are cleaned regularly. They are becoming familiar with routines for good hygiene, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children are excluded from the provision with infectious illnesses to ensure the health of all the children is maintained. The childminder provides appropriate first aid equipment in the home but she does not hold a valid first aid certificate to ensure children's welfare in an emergency. Also parents' written agreement for her to seek emergency medical treatment has not been obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a range of hot and cold meals provided by the childminder. She takes account of children's allergies and parent's wishes when offering meals, and has an understanding of healthy eating. Drinks are available throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which promote their physical well-being and develop their ability to control their bodies, for example riding bikes, climbing on appropriate equipment and catching a ball. They regularly attend various groups, visit the local park and benefit from outdoor physical play within the secure garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a well maintained home and play in a comfortable environment helping them feel confident about what they are able to do. They have access to a variety of safe and age appropriate toys and equipment that promote their development and learning. Risk's to children from broken or unsafe toys, furniture or equipment is minimised as the childminder carries out suitable visual checks on all equipment used. However, children are not sufficiently prevented from accessing the fireplace as the fireguard is not secured to the wall and some hazardous substances are stored under the kitchen sink. Children are kept safe when out and about as they are always closely supervised and the childminder demonstrated an adequate understanding of how to minimise possible risks when at the park or using local community resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's protection from abuse and neglect is promoted well through the childminder's working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a sound understanding of her role and responsibility and knows what action to take if there were concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children delight in their play and feel at home at the childminder's house. They know the routine of the day and are familiar with trips to the local school and parks, helping them to feel secure with what is happening. Children are beginning to develop social skills by having daily

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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 opportunities to play with other children of a similar age through attending local toddler groups. Here they can develop their physical skills through climbing, using a range of wheeled toys and being able to run around freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy the individual time and attention which is given to them by the childminder and the wide variety of activities such as sand, cooking, dressing up, construction and quieter time spent looking at books and reading stories. Interaction between the children and childminder is good and affection is given and warmly received.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are learning to count, name colours and extend language. For example, during singing a number rhyme, asking how many do you have? How many are left? They are confident and developing independence whilst selecting activities, making their own pizza and using the toilet. In the home the childminder sets some activities out on the lounge floor and has further storage units boxes to the side of the room for children to independently select.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known and met by the childminder. They are learning to appreciate the differences and similarities between people whilst taking part in some festival celebrations organised at the toddler groups. The childminder provides some resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability which meet the developmental needs of the minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play happily and co-operatively and are sociable and secure. They respond very positively to the childminder who ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved and are learning to share. Children's independence is encouraged and is developing well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs and routines are part of the childminder’s initial discussions with parents and carers. She gathers this information to ensure she is meeting their needs on a daily basis. However, although records are kept of children's emergency contact details there are no records currently in place of the children's G.P. contact details or appropriate signed consent forms. Written agreements are not in place with parents which set out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. Parents are informed by way of verbal feedback at the end of each day of how their children are progressing and the activities they have been involved with.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who has a wealth of experience and has gained a childcare qualification. Children feel at home within the generally well-organised environment which contributes to their sense of belonging. They make choices of play and use accessible toys and resources developing confidence and self-esteem. They have good adult support benefiting from the fact that she works with other co-minders. This helps children feel confident and secure within the childminder's home.

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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 a useful portfolio of information with parents at the time of placement to ensure consistency of care for minded children although it is in need of updating to reflect moving house recently. Confidentiality is maintained to ensure the children's privacy. However, the daily record of the children being looked after and their hours of attendance is not consistently maintained which may impact on children's safety and well-being. Overall, the setting 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 the childminder was asked to make Ofsted's contact details available to all parents. The childminder has now included Ofsted's telephone number in her portfolio and prospectus should a parent wish to make representation.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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): • seek written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained • ensure children have no access to hazardous substances • ensure the fireguard is securely fixed to the wall and does not pose a hazard to children • ensure written agreements are in place with parents which set out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements • ensure records are kept of children's emergency contact details, G.P. contact details and appropriate signed consent forms • ensure the daily register is accurate and up to date; and includes the names of persons caring for children

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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 • ensure the registration certificate is displayed and that records are always available for inspection by the early years child care inspector.

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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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