Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504727 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2006 Inspection date Esther Gray 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and four children aged 14, 15,19 and 21 ,in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The children have access to the first floor for toilet and sleep facilities.

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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 four children under five all on a part time basis, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder works with an assistant. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have no pets. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminders 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. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children's individual needs are provided for, particularly in relation to hygiene. She promotes children's health by recognising and reducing possible risks. The children’s health is well promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to promote the children’s good health, and encourages them to begin to take responsibility of meeting their own health needs, for instance, by encouraging children to develop good hand hygiene. Positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures taken when children are ill so that health needs are met. For example, the childminder maintains an up-to-date first aid qualification, notifies parents and carers of any illness or injury and ensures children are well cared for through out their stay.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy regular opportunities to experience a wide range of physical play. They access a range of activities, such as trampoline, ride-on toys, slides, small rocker, play ball games and play with sand and water. Indoors the children use art and craft materials and construction toys to develop their fine motor movements. This enables the children to develop their confidence using a wide range of equipment that provide challenges.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are well nourished. They have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides children with regular drinks and food that is nutritious and which comply with their dietary and religious needs. The children are learning about healthy living through a range of good activities that encourage them to learn about a healthy diet. The children are developing an awareness of factors which influence good outcomes for a healthy lifestyle. This is provided by activities such as cake making and when children are offered opportunities to try new foods. Tastes and textures in their meals and snacks are discussed, as well as the need for fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are secure and parents are welcome. Indoor and outdoor space is organised effectively, creating a child-friendly environment which enables children to explore and take risks while being appropriately supervised. The children can move freely and are protected from harm. The childminder has a good awareness of security. The children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and there is no unauthorised access to children. There are clear procedures to ensure children are collected only by authorised people. For example, passwords are used when necessary for extra protection. The children use a wide range of equipment that is suitable and safe. This is because the childminder provides furniture, equipment and toys which are appropriate for their purpose. They are of suitable design and condition and are well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn about road safety and how to keep safe by not putting things in their mouth. However, they have not rehearsed the procedure for evacuation in an emergency and the provider has not recorded the procedure to share with her assistant or parents and carers. She has provided equipment

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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 such as fire blankets, and smoke detectors which are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order. The children’s safety is well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings. The provider ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children. The childminder achieves this by moving stair gates from the bottom of the stairs to the door of the sitting room as required to protect younger children by restricting accessing different areas of the ground floor space and separating areas for specific activities and age groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children, and recognises that this is her first priority. She is vigilant, aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and knows the appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child. Professional confidentiality and need to inform Ofsted is also understood. As a result, the safety and wellbeing of children is assured.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are confident, independent and are developing their self-esteem. All children have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because there are a good variety of activities and play opportunities that help children achieve in all areas. The children begin to distinguish right from wrong and form positive relationships. There are consistent boundaries and good adult support which helps the children to develop appropriate skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are sufficient resources and activities to ensure children being collected from school can relax and thrive, before and after school, however, children from birth to three have no structure or focussed activities to promote their development to encourage a good disposition towards learning. There are no planned activities or details of the routine of a typical day to share with parents. As a result, it is not clear how each child’s developmental needs are being met. There is no framework to underpin the care of younger children to ensure they develop to their full potential. Despite this lack of formal organisation the childminder involves children who are enjoying play experiences that stretch and develop them and that help them achieve. For example, the childminder uses her experience and knowledge to assess the developmental needs of the children and promotes their development by encouraging language development

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

or providing appropriate resources to a child learning to crawl.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are happy and settled because the childminder is in tune with the children in her care and knows them very well. She encourages child-initiated play, going outside in good weather and developing varied play opportunities for different age groups, such as music, dancing and stretching exercises, doing different and varied things every day. The children are keen to bring books out and explore the pictures with evident joy becoming animated about stories and things that interest them.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are developing very good relationships with the childminder and other children in a setting. The children’s individual needs are well met because adults work closely with parents and carers to develop close partnerships so that all children can achieve their full potential. Despite this close relationship, there are no written policies and procedures to share with parents. For example, there is no behaviour policy statement to consolidate and ensure consistency of approach when dealing with unacceptable behaviour. Menus are not prepared and therefore parents are only made aware through verbal discussion, there is no formal complaints policy, however, the childminder has displayed the Ofsted poster and has the system in place to record all complaints in line with the new regulatory requirements. Parents do not have any written weekly routines to refer to. Nevertheless parents express a clear appreciation

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of the good verbal outline they received each day of what their child will be doing and about any outings that the childminder and the children will undertake. All relevant parental permissions are in place to safeguard the welfare of the children and parents are made aware of the role and responsibilities of the childminder in relation to her duties in child protection. As a result, the care of children is communicated to parents reasonably effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good arrangements are made to ensure all children are included. There are suitable, sufficient resources and activities to help children learn about a diverse society through their play. This means children have a balanced view about the wider world. All children are valued as individuals which actively promotes inclusion. The children have good opportunities to develop an understanding of the wider society because the childminder introduces the children to different people in their local neighbourhood and to the wider multicultural society through a variety of very good books which include pictures of people with disabilities such as wheelchair users and a variety of different ethnic social groups in different situations. For instance, the books depict people going to hospital or children going to school for the first time. The childminder understands her obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and makes reasonable

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Helping children make a positive contribution

adjustments to ensure that appropriate action can be taken to support children with identified needs. The children are able to feel a good sense of belonging working harmoniously with others, making choices and decisions meaning most activities are child-initiated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are welcomed and given sufficient time to settle into the setting so they feel a sense of belonging. They benefit from a calm and supportive approach and learn right from wrong through careful explanation and consistency. Praise and support helps them start to develop some self-esteem. Children are encouraged to play together, take turns and share. The children behave extremely well in proportion to their level of understanding and maturity because the childminder creates an environment that encourages children to respect boundaries and begin to control their own behaviour. The childminder is very keen for the children to develop good manners and the children are developing a respect for others and are encouraged to take care of younger children or less able children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are well cared for in a setting where the childminder is committed to continue to update her skills and knowledge by attending training having a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to continual improvement. Although the childminder has not attended any further training of the care of children aged birth to three years she has good underpinning knowledge of the needs of this age group because she has level three qualifications in child care. She has identified further training courses to up-date her knowledge to further develop the quality of the care the children receive. The children are protected from harm as the childminder is aware of the importance of ensuring that all unvetted visitors are suitable and are not left unattended with children in the setting or whilst on outings.

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Organisation

The children benefit from good organisation of the setting. It ensures that children’s health and safety and well-being are met. The childminder uses the time and resources well to promote the care and education of children. However, there are no written routines, available to share with parents. There is a complaints procedure notice and paperwork is kept accordingly for this. Parents have written their appreciation of the good quality of care their children receive and expressed their satisfaction in relation to the very good verbal communication between the childminder and parents and carers on the details of the child's day, the good food they eat and prompt attention to advising them if any concerns as to the health of a child are raised. The childminder has produced some photographs to share with parents of the types of activities children have enjoyed. The children's individual records are very well organised and kept

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Organisation

confidentially. All the required details to promote the health and safety of children are stored safely and kept readily to hand for easy reference. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that accurate records of children's hours of attendance are maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The records of attendance are accurately maintained indicating the times of arrival and departure of the children and a record of when an assistant is present. This further safeguards children's well-being.

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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

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

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.

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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): • ensure children are made aware of your emergency evacuation procedures and all required fire safety precautions are practised, to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure • continue to develop information for parents and update policies in line with the national standards • continue to improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’.

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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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