Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235454 Unique Reference Number 26 September 2006 Inspection date Kashma Patel 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 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor except for one bedroom is used for childminding. There is access to a fully enclosed communal garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum for three children and is currently minding two children under eight years. She also cares for children over eight after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly attends local playgroups, parks and the library She is completing her Quality First training and 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 good. Children’s good health is well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps, she encourages them to take responsibility of meeting their own health needs. Children are learning about oral hygiene by cleaning their teeth after food. They are also encouraged and reminded to wash their hands after handling the pet dog and using the toilet. Children sleep and rest according to their needs and their safety is well maintained because the childminder makes regular checks on them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are making good physical progress and get plenty of opportunities for exercise. They enjoy going for daily walks to and from school. The local park provides opportunities for children to run around and use the climbing equipment to promote their development. Children have access to a communal garden where they enjoy skipping and playing ball games.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of nutrition and ensures that all food is healthy, well balanced and in accordance with parents wishes. Children are learning about healthy eating and are aware that fruit and yoghurt is good for them. Children are well hydrated because the childminder offers regular drinks of water, juice and milk. They were observed accessing water from a jug.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe as a result of the childminder's good awareness of safety. She has under taken reasonable steps to minimise risks in her home, for example all sockets have safety covers and children do not have access into the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a satisfactory selection of toys and equipment which is checked regularly to ensure that children can play safely and independently. However there are no toys which promote disability which means children are not learning about the wider world they live in. Children were observed helping themselves to toys which are stored in clear plastic boxes on the floor. They are learning about how to keep themselves safe, and talked about the green cross code commenting that they looked left and right before crossing the road. Children are beginning to take responsibility for their own safety, they are encouraged to tidy away toys before taking more out which ensures they have sufficient space. Children do not have opportunities to learn about fire safety and evacuation and this impacts on their safety during an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder has a written policy which is shared with parents, this ensures that parents are kept well informed of the childminder's responsibilities. The childminder is confident in her understanding about types of abuse, signs to look for and the steps to take if she is concerned about a child in her care.

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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 take part in good-quality activities during their time with the childminder. Children have good relationships with the childminder and enjoy conversation with her. There is good interaction with the children, the childminder enhances their learning by careful explanations and practical demonstrations. The childminder makes suggestions for their art work, for example how to make faces with paper plates. They are able to enjoy a good variety of play opportunities which extend their creativity and imagination such as role play, music and drama, they enjoy acting and preparing performances for the rest of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings to the nature centre, local parks and the toddler group where they benefit from opportunities to mix with other children. They show enjoyment as they play board games and look at books. These experiences are shared with parents on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are met well by the childminder. She works closely with parents to ensure that personal care needs are followed. The familiar home environment helps children to feel safe and secure and encourage independence. Children are valued, respected as individuals and have equal access to some resources which reflect positive images. They are learning about cultural festivals such as Eid and commented that Diwali was the festival of lights. The childminder has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear and consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour. They are rewarded with stars and stickers for sharing, taking turns and showing consideration for others. Their self-esteem is encouraged through consistent praise and their achievements are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents, she spends time talking to them on a daily basis about their children's day at school and with her. Parents commented that their children were happy and settled with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are being protected because the childminder ensures that persons who have contact with the children are suitable and where appropriate have been through the vetting procedure. The childminder is committed to training to ensure that she keeps up-to-date with current practice and can use this knowledge to further improve the care of the children.

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Organisation

Children benefit because the childminder is well organised. She makes best use of the time, space and resources, to ensure children have a stimulating day and are cared for very well. Children's individual welfare, care and learning needs are well met and supported by good quality documentation which is shared with parents. A detailed profile is completed on every

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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 child's capabilities and individual needs. Parents are kept well informed verbally and in writing on a daily basis about their children's progress.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to improve her documentation with regard to keeping an accurate register of children's attendance, to obtain written permission to seek emergency medical treatment and to take photographs of the children. The childminder now keeps an accurate register of both arrival and departure times of children, has appropriate consent for emergency medical treatment and permission to take photographs, this means children's safety and welfare is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004

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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 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): • improve fire safety by practising and recording fire drills with the children.

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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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