Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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228640 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Permjit Tanda 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 with her partner and two adult children in Aston, Birmingham. There are local shops, a school and a park within walking distance shops. The ground floor of the property and a bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes only. There is a rear, enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years on a full-time basis and three children after school. The childminder walks to the local school and attends the local playgroups with the minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an appropriate NVQ Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education and a current Food and Hygiene certificate. She 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 satisfactory. Children enjoy an appropriate range of activities, which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Children have regular opportunities for walks to the local park and use the challenging equipment available. They increase their physical skills through taking part in dance and movement to their favourite music and television programmes. Younger children increase their physical skills through using wheeled toys and balls in the garden. They, at least twice weekly, visit the local playgroup and test and develop physical control through a varied range of physical play equipment. Children are able to have quiet time for sleep or relaxing. They benefit from the childminder's flexible routines which ensure that their individual needs are met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are welcomed into a home which is satisfactorily clean and hygienic. They learn the importance of appropriate hygiene and personal care and the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Adequate hygiene practices are adopted to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are satisfactorily nourished and hydrated throughout the day. The childminder provides the children’s meals, snacks and drinks. Children learn to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through the childminder incorporating healthy options such as fresh fruit, vegetables and yoghurt. The childminder takes account of the parent’s wishes and the children’s choices and meets children’s special dietary requirements well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a play room which is organised with the children’s needs in mind. The area is inviting, safe and offers a range of activities suitable for the children attending. Children are able to move safely and freely within the play room and spend much of their time in this area. Younger children are kept safe through the direct supervision of the childminder. However, some areas within the home which are used by children, pose a risk to the older children. For example, older children can reach the lock on the main door and medication and alcohol is easily accessible. Consequently, the children’s safety is compromised. Children understand how to keep themselves safe and understand that certain rules are in place for their safety, for example, children know not to throw things. The children’s safety outside the home is considered. They learn how to cross the road safely and children are beginning to understand about the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities from a varied range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are checked regularly for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety is promoted as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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 settle well at the childminder's house. Children are relaxed and confident and enjoy being with a familiar adult. Children benefit from a broad range of experiences to increase their development. There is a real focus on children increasing their social skills through children having many opportunities to interact with other adults and children. Children regularly attend the local playgroup and visit places of interest. Children show a real fondness for music and musical instruments, for example, toddlers thoroughly enjoy exploring sound and beat using various percussion instruments whilst, singing along to their favourite nursery rhymes. Books are made readily available on an open bookcase and children independently access them. This interest in books is further encouraged through daily story sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children increase their language through the childminder talking to them about what they are doing and building on their vocabulary. She incorporates colours, counting and shape during play and therefore children develop their mathematical thinking. Children increase their imagination through playing in the domestic area with dolls and the tea set. Children are happy and confident because the childminder shows an interest in their play and spends much of her time interacting with them. There is a good range of resources for the needs of the children attending. However, some play materials are not readily accessible to children and on occasions this hinders the children’s play and learning. Younger children have regular opportunities to explore and investigate with natural materials such as sand and water during their time at playgroup and have daily opportunities to increase their creativity through a varied range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

art and craft materials at the childminder’s home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children attending after school have the opportunity to choose what they would like to do. Their interests are encouraged because the childminder knows what they most enjoy, for example, many of the children enjoy playing with the selection of cars, board games and watching the television. They have the opportunity to relax, play, rest and be active.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children increase their awareness of the local environment through regular visits to places of interest and learn to identify local features, for example, children have visited a farm, the seaside and regularly visit the post office and local shops. Children have many opportunities to learn about diversity through accessing a varied range of resources depicting positive images of race, culture and disability. Children with special needs are provided with relevant activities and play opportunities that promote their welfare and development. Their needs are met well because the childminder works closely with parents and is proactive in accessing additional support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. She works closely with parents in order to identify their likes, dislikes and personalities. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour which helps children learn to understand behaviour boundaries. Children learn to show care and concern for others and the childminder supports children well to learn

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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 right from wrong. Children gain good levels of confidence through praise from the childminder, who tells them when they have done something well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are made welcome and kept up to date about the children's progress through daily feedback. All written policies and procedures are made available to parents and therefore they are kept well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development and play through completing the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework training. She is committed to further improving the quality of the service through accessing relevant training. Children feel at home and at ease in the environment and benefit from a flexible and relaxed routine.

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Organisation

There are clear written business contracts and all the required documentation is in place. All documentation is well organised and stored appropriately. Children details are accurate and up to date through regular reviews with parents. Parents are regularly consulted about the care of their children. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made which the childminder agreed to implement. The first recommendation made in no longer applicable. The second recommendation has been successfully addressed. Children learn about diversity and difference through freely using resources reflecting positive images of disability.

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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

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.

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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): • take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises are minimised • organise resources so that they are readily accessible to children and supports children's play and learning.

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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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