Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271591 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2006 Inspection date Jennifer Turner 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

six and eight years in a semi-detached house in the Bournville area of Birmingham. The shops and park are located within close walking distance. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor and the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years and is currently caring for four children under the age of five years and one child aged

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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 six cared for occasionally during the school holiday. The childminder attends the local parent toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is assured because they are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and because the childminder's cleaning routines are very thorough. The risk of cross-infection is minimised because parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness. The childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate and ensures that her first aid box is well stocked. She is aware that her first aid certificate will run out at the end of the year and has already booked to update her training. Documentation and records relating to medical conditions, medication and accidents are thorough, kept in good order and up to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are known by the childminder. She provides meals if asked but parents are aware that they may provide them if they prefer to do so. She shares her sample menu with the parents in order that they can see the range of meals she offers to the children. The childminder ensures that when she is asked to provide the children's meals they are nutritious and well balanced. The risk to children from unsafe food is minimal because the childminder is aware of good food hygiene practices, having previously worked in the food industry.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional well-being is given a high priority and they are happy and confident in a very friendly and welcoming environment. The childminder meets the child and parent before care begins and requests a gradual introduction so that the child is able to settle and feel secure. Children develop their physical skills and confidence with a range of physical play equipment at home. They use the large garden daily when the weather permits them, where they are able ride cars and tractors or play in the sand pit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter a welcoming homely environment where the childminder endeavours to make them feel part of her family. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised, because the childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards. For example, a safety gate prevents children accessing the stairs, garden sheds are locked and inaccessible to children, hazardous items are stored in locked cupboards in the kitchen. Children learn to keep themselves safe. While out walking with the children, the childminder ensures that the younger children are strapped in their buggies and older children hold hands. This teaches them about road safety. Toys and equipment provided are safe and suitable for the ages of children using them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has practised fire drills with children and although they are too young to understand, she is aware of how they will react to such an emergency. She has devised a good system for accessing the children's emergency contact numbers and these are kept in an envelope which also contains a plan of the escape route and records of the drills. The childminder

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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 has a good awareness of safety issues around children. For example, she has a policy in the event that a child is missing from her care or is not collected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from harm. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and of her responsibilities in this area. She has attended relevant training and is aware of the possible signs of abuse or neglect and has the up-to-date procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop their play and learning because they are contented and familiar with their surroundings. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and she knows the children well. Children are able to make decisions about their play, select activities and develop their interests. Children are given time to play and learn independently and benefit from being able to take part in a wide range of worthwhile and interesting activities. The childminder ensures children have a varied day and they enjoy activities which contribute to their creativity and imagination, for example, role play, drawing, story time, painting and playing with play dough. During routines and activities children are naturally introduced to colours, letters, numbers and shapes. Children play well together including the childminder's own children and they enjoy each others company, as they play dens and hide and seek under the dining

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing in the garden, they walk to local parks, visit other childminders and attend local playgroups each week. The organisation of the home and use of appropriate resources helps younger children become increasingly independent. The childminder has attended training for 'Birth to three matters'. She has given consideration as to how she intends to implement the components of the guidance to ensure children's care, learning and play are effectively supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted because the childminder encourages children to take part in activities in a safe and supportive environment. Children benefit from good interaction with the childminder, she has a warm rapport with them and a gentle approach. She is reassuring to children and listens carefully to what they are saying. The childminder helps children distinguish between right and wrong by encouraging them to get on well together. Children’s activities and achievements are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has not yet cared for a child with a special need but would find out as much as possible from the parent so that she was able to satisfactorily meet the child's needs. She recognises that this is an area that she needs to develop further and will devise a policy on special needs. Children are learning to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences as they celebrate different festivals and have access to resources that reflect positive images, such as books, play figures depicting images of disability and pictures for children to colour.

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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 benefit from the childminder's consistent methods of behaviour management which include praise in recognition of good behaviour and talking to children and explaining why behaviour was inappropriate. A behaviour management policy has been drawn up and includes the importance of praise and encouraging children to understand the effect of their behaviour on others, explanation using simple language, the importance of children's self-esteem and working in partnership with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good and children benefit from the effective systems she has in place for sharing information. Children’s individual needs are known and met by the childminder. Consistency of care between home and childminder begins with sharing information during a gradual settling-in period and a daily share of information verbally and written about what the children have done during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced through the effective organisation of space and resources. The childminder makes good use of space to ensure all children have the opportunity to complete activities, relax, sit together at mealtimes. Children benefit from well-established routines which have a good regard for their individual routines. Children are confident and feel at home and at ease with the well-organised family environment.

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Organisation

Children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement are promoted effectively through the use of recording procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder continues to develop her knowledge and understanding of child care practices by completing and implementing relevant training, for example, 'Birth to three matters' guidance, and child protection. All documentation is stored securely and organised to maintain confidentiality. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop her resources reflecting positive images of diversity. She has addressed this well by introducing a selection of resources that reflect positive images of diversity as well as organising activities to celebrate different festivals to raise children's awareness of the wider society. She has also obtained written consent from parents in the event that she needs to seek emergency advice or treatment. This now ensures that she is able to act quickly in an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection

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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

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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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 special needs.

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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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