Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219338 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2007 Inspection date Shirley Delaney 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 2002. She lives with her husband, two adult daughters and younger daughter aged 7 years, in Coleshill, close to local parks, shops and schools. The childminder uses all areas of the property for childminding. Children have access to the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a qualified state registered nurse and holds a level 3 qualification in pre-school practice. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has achieved a level 3 NCMA quality first, assurance award. The childminder is registered to provide care for up to five children at any one time and is currently minding eight children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 are actively and consistently learning about good hygiene routines through the childminder's exemplary practice and example. The childminder inspires the children's interest in hygiene through her excellent practice and through discussion. She talks to the children about why they need to wash their hands before lunch and after playing outside. Children are in the habit of brushing their teeth after meals and proudly show their clean teeth to one another.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with an exceptional range of exciting and stimulating activities and opportunities to develop physical skills. Outdoor activity is a daily event in all weathers. During hot weather the childminder takes precautions to protect children from the sun. Children wear protective clothing such as Wellington boots to take part in walks up the muddy lanes and in the winter children wrap up warm. An exciting range of equipment and resources allows children to practise and develop large physical skills and they have excellent opportunities to make use of the local environment. For example, they take part in walks along the country lanes to view the horses, cows and sheep in the fields. Organised trips outside the setting provide children with opportunities to visit venues such as Birmingham Nature Park and the Sea Life Centre. Children’s interest in the natural environment is further nurtured through their involvement in

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Helping children to be healthy

activities such as planting seeds and feeding wild birds. They have use of reference materials positioned near the window to identify the wild birds feeding at the bird table once they have returned indoors.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s nutritional needs are comprehensively accommodated by an excellent range of meals. Lunch is a relaxed occasion when soft background music is played and the childminder talks to the children about the food and encourages them to try everything. Their interest in a healthy diet is positively promoted as the childminder talks to them about how eating their dinner helps them to grow and talks about the ‘goodness’ in vegetables. Meals are planned in advance to provide a variety of tastes and balance in the children’s diet. Drinks are readily accessible to children at all times promoting their health and independence. They are able to make a choice from a variety of fresh and dried fruits at snack time; and the natural world is again reinforced as the childminder discusses with the children using the peel from the fruit to make compost in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The setting is appealing and welcoming for all children; it is comfortable, inviting and child-centred, individual coat pegs in the hallway promote children’s sense of belonging. All areas of development are fostered as the children freely access an exciting range of stimulating toys, equipment and furniture, which are kept in a hygienic and safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is largely promoted as the childminder demonstrates a good level of awareness of possible risks to children’s safety within the home and has taken steps to remove most

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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 hazards for children. However, the border of the garden does not remain secure during the winter months when the hedgerows recede; as a consequence children’s security is not vigorously promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are learning how to keep themselves safe through reinforcement and discussion. For example, the childminder asks children why they should not run in the house and they respond “because you could fall over”. She talks to children about climbing and descending the stairs safely and what they are expected to do if they have to evacuate the house in an emergency. Children are reminded about safety on outings and talk about travelling safely in the car, discussing use of car seats and seat belts. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's comprehensive understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to engage in a splendid range of activities, planned to help them make progress in all areas of development. For example, on the day of inspection they were engaged in a range of activities linked to traditional tales, including story telling, acting out stories, dressing up in costumes and making a den which turned in into the home of the three little pigs. Their imagination is very well fostered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given frequent opportunities to explore and investigate and to relate to others during learning and play opportunities outside the home. For example, they regularly visit the play area near the school and attend the local library to select books and to participate in story times. Outings to The Nature Centre and Sea Life Centre stimulate their interest in the natural world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language and social skills are enthusiastically promoted through general conversation and through the frequent questions asked of them by the childminder, effectively stimulating recall and vocabulary. She enhances their self-confidence by listening carefully to their responses and acting upon them as required. Young children enjoy books; they sit as a group sharing a story with the childminder who includes children in the storytelling. They are keen to take part in singing sessions; taking it in turns to sing to one another. Children use books and written information for reference. For example, they made a recipe card for gingerbread men, which they used during the subsequent cooking activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes excellent use of time and her practice of providing daily opportunities for physical outdoor play which assist children’s development of large physical skills. The children's interest in numbers and counting is stimulated during domestic routines, such as table setting and counting stairs on the way to and from the bathroom. Children are comfortable, confident and express their enjoyment; they often spontaneously break into song whilst playing, singing a range of rhymes or making up their own songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s development and learning is enhanced by the childminder’s knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' and the Foundation Stage. The childminder is flexible in her approach to planning

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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 and takes her lead from the children, allowing them to follow their own interests and to learn at their own pace.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children benefit enormously from being recognised as individuals and having their differing needs met. The childminder has a real commitment to equality of opportunity; she is experienced in caring for children with special educational needs and disabilities and carefully plans activities to accommodate their particular routines and requirements. Children are able to access a wide range of exciting resources and activities to actively raise their awareness of diversity and to promote their understanding of others. For example, they listen and dance to Arabic and African music providing the children with exciting opportunities to explore other cultures and traditions. Plans for activities are flexible and adapted to include all the children and the childminder provides children with support as their needs dictate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They respond well to the childminders positive approach to behaviour management. Younger children are consistently supported in learning to take turns and to share and are well supported by the childminder to show consideration for one another and include other children in their play. She helps children to be aware of other peoples needs through reminding children to use their manners when interacting with others, such as saying please and thank you to one another. Children receive constant praise and encouragement from the childminder, who builds children’s self-esteem praising them for their achievements in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An effective partnership with parents is developed and children thrive as a result of the excellent continuity of care. The childminder actively seeks parents' views about their children's needs and requirements. She keeps parents’ informed about the services she offers through a range of strategies. For example, sharing information verbally, providing written information in the form of a booklet, and written policies and procedures that underpin the service she provides. A recent development is a monthly newsletter for parents’ to keep them up to date with current information. Information is exchanged with regards to the care, activities and achievements of the children in the form of a daily diary and parents’ are provided with a computer disc containing photographs of the children involved in play and learning activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. It is exceptionally well organised, stimulating and welcoming. The children are comfortable, settled and relaxed in an environment that is homely and exudes warmth. They are actively involved in play and learning experiences as they have excellent access to resources and play materials from which they make choices. Children are confident; they receive constant support and attention from the childminder who also demonstrates awareness of allowing children space to develop their own play and follow their interests.

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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 Children benefit from the continuing professional training undertaken by the childminder. Children’s health and welfare is very effectively safeguarded through the childminder’s policies, procedures which are detailed. Records are extremely well-organised to enable required information to be located when needed and good attention is paid to maintaining confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to; improve safety in the garden with regard to accessibility of a water holding container. The childminder removed the item from the garden to further promote children’s safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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 children’s safety by ensuring that the perimeter of the garden is secured at all times.

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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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