Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337249 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2007 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her two children aged six and five years in the Erdington area of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, including two upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom. The lower fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. The family has two pet dogs which are kept in a secure area at the top of the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for three children, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a qualified Nursery Nurse, attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminder 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 health and well-being is well fostered by the childminder. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where they gain a good understanding of the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder talks to the children about washing their hands after using the bathroom and before meals and this helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being looked after in a home where effective hygiene is given priority. The childminder follows current and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. She has completed first aid training and has effective procedures in place to protect children from infection or if they become unwell. All the required documentation and formats are in place for administering medication, although consent to emergency medical advice or treatment has not been obtained from parents to ensure the well-being of children is not compromised. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively, as these are discussed with parents who are responsible for providing their children's meals. Children are provided with regular drinks throughout the day and nutritious snacks such as fruits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are well supported and children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Children enjoy good access to the garden and benefit from being able to use a range of equipment when they use the local park or attend the play group. The childminder recognises the importance of physical activity and how it promotes children's good health and development, which helps children develop confidence and positive attitudes to physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, welcoming and secure environment. The childminder has a good understanding of health and safety; she is vigilant and supervises children well. Children benefit from a range of safety measures already in place to minimise hazards and enable them to explore their surroundings safely, such as stairgates. The childminder gives good priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, she explains why they should sit properly on chairs and why they should not run whilst indoors. Some aspects of fire safety are given good attention, for example the fire blanket located in the kitchen is easily accessible and new smoke alarms have been fitted and there is a written emergency escape plan. However, the children are not aware of what to do in the event of a fire because it has not been practised with them, which compromises their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. They select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and resources which offer challenge and are appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises the use of toys to make sure they are safe and used appropriately by the children.

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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 Children are protected from possible harm or neglect, because the childminder knows how to recognise possible signs of abuse and is fully aware of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care. Her policy is shared with parents who know that she has a duty to protect the children in her care.

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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 cared for in a warm environment where they can access toys independently. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and she knows how to plan interesting activities for the children, such as constructing the wooden train track with small world figures. They 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, such as attending local play groups where they are able to interact and socialise with their peers. Children enjoy activities which contribute to their creativity and imagination, for example, modelling with dough, sticking coloured paper on a template of a flower or printing with leaves or cotton reels. They enjoy listening to their favourite Thomas the Tank engine stories read to them from the interactive books and they know that they can

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem and confidence are effectively promoted, because the childminder encourages them to take part in a range of interesting activities in a supportive and safe environment. Children are very well supported as the childminder interacts with them. Her warm, calm and gentle approach is very reassuring to children, because she listens carefully to what they are saying and shows interest in what they are doing. Children are helped to distinguish between right and wrong by the childminder, who talks to them about being nice to each other and encourages them to share and take turns. This helps children make positive relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well supported because the childminder makes sure children are welcomed into her home and feel a sense of belonging. Children learn about diversity through discussions and the use of resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability. They join in activities which celebrate different festivals such as Christmas, Diwali and Chinese New Year. The childminder is sensitive towards inclusion having previously worked in a special needs school and knows how to modify activities to ensure all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour because the childminder encourages them to behave well, share and take turns. She is polite, friendly and courteous to children and offers gentle reminders and discussions about why they should be nice to each other. The childminder has a warm rapport with the children and they all benefit from plenty of attention, her caring interaction and especially when she gives them praise and encouragement.

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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 Partnership with parents and carers is good and this has a positive impact on the children's care. The childminder has a good system in place to inform parents about the children’s progress, care and daily activities. In addition, parents are provided with some helpful policies and documents about the provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced through the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child development and her effective organisation of space and resources. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and part of the family. Children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and the childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children.

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Organisation

Children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement are promoted effectively through the use of some policies and procedures which are currently being reviewed to ensure they work in practice. This ensures children are cared for in a consistent and positive environment. All documentation is stored securely and organised to maintain confidentiality. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable, as this is the first inspection since registration.

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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): • ensure parents give written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • ensure the children are aware of the emergency escape plan and that they have an opportunity to practise it.

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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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