Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504589 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 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 1985. She lives with her husband and one child aged 10 in Birmingham, West Midlands. There are also four adult children who either live in the house or visit regularly. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, except for the dining room. Children may have use of one room on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 six children on a part-time basis, two of these are aged over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local pre-school groups and children are taken on regular outings to the park and shops. The family has a cat and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminder's Association and holds a National Vocational Qualification in Child Care and Education to Level 3.

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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’s health is very effectively promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to promote children’s good health and she encourages them to begin to take responsibility of meeting their own health needs. They are encouraged to wash their own hands each time they visit the toilet and use their own towel to prevent cross-infection. The family have pets which are inoculated and wormed regularly to ensure the children's health is fully safeguarded. The childminder holds an up-to-date qualification in paediatric first aid which allows her to undertake appropriate measures when children are injured or ill. She has also undertaken additional training which allows her to administer specific medication for children who may suffer an adverse allergic reaction causing anaphylactic shock. This gives opportunities for a wider range of children to experience day care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy excellent opportunities to experience physical activity and develop their physical skills both indoors and outside. There are many activities organised to take children out and about to local amenities and areas of interest. For example, children are taken swimming, walking and on trips to the Lickey Hills where they climb and run about in the fresh air. This enables children to develop their confidence whilst enjoying a wide range of experiences that provide challenge. Younger children are learning to express their needs and are beginning to meet those needs independently, for example, by exploring freely and accessing toys and resources independently. The needs of younger children are very well met because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the needs of younger children and provides very good activities and resources to support children’s physical and emotional development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished. They are learning about healthy living through a range of very good activities that encourage them to learn about a healthy diet. The childminder is encouraging children during cookery activities to look at the ingredients that they need for cakes and biscuits and, for example, to see how jelly sets. As a trained nutritionist, she brings her previous knowledge to good use, in cookery activities, encouraging older children in weighing and measuring and younger children in exploring and appreciating different tastes and textures of food. Children are developing an excellent awareness of factors which influence good outcomes for a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice. 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. Younger children are able to investigate and explore their surroundings safely. They begin to understand there are rules and boundaries that keep them safe and are developing self control in order that they do not hurt others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is very well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings. She ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children. All children are learning to keep themselves safe as they learn about fire safety, rehearsing the emergency evacuation procedure regularly

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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 with the provider. The premises are secure and there is a safe procedure for the collection of children from the home. Good arrangements are also made for collecting children from school, including full consideration given by the childminder to safe parking of a vehicle and safety in walking with children. The childminder uses wrist straps or pushchairs to secure children when walking near to roads, holds children's hands and talks to them about safety whilst they are out and about.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because there are effective routines which provide interesting experiences and activities and play opportunities that help children achieve in all areas. The childminder talks to children and has realistic expectations of what they can achieve. Although she has not undertaken up-to-date training on developing her skills to improve outcomes for children from birth to three, by using an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, she has opened the box and referred to the cards for information. This framework underpins the care of younger children to ensure they develop to their full potential. Although she has begun to make observations and kept examples of children’s work to share with parents, she has not used this information to help her make plans for children’s future progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the accumulation of her knowledge and experience gained over many years to good effect. As a result, events, support children's development and overall learning. For example, the familiar routine of the day provides children with the security in knowing that events will follow a similar pattern each day, before their parents return to collect them. This enables them to relax happily to play and learn. Older children are asked what they are likely to want to do during the following days to ensure their individual interests are met in planning future activities. This is especially beneficial during the summer holiday period. Children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development is promoted by the importance the childminder places on listening to and valuing what children say. Children begin to distinguish right from wrong and form positive relationships. There are consistent boundaries and good adult support

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which helps children to develop appropriate social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are well met because the childminder works well with parents and carers to develop close partnerships so that all children achieve their full potential. Children are welcomed and are 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 self-esteem. Children are encouraged to play together, take turns and share. As a result, children feel comfortable and settled because they see parents and the childminder acting together and giving consistent messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed some policies to share with parents and carers, which demonstrate how she is able to provide care for children who have disabilities and difficulties and/or who have diverse cultural or religious needs. She is able to provide equal access to all areas and facilities used by children on the ground floor. There is a good range of suitable resources and activities to help children learn about a diverse society through their play. They experience a

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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 number of well known festivals and begin to appreciate and learn about the wider world. All children are valued as individuals which actively promotes inclusion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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. The organisation of the setting is well managed. It ensures that children’s health, safety and well-being are met. The childminder is aware of the requirements of the National Standards and of regulations and is careful to remain within the boundaries of her registration certificate, caring for only those children which she is registered for. The childminder is suitably qualified and very experienced to meet the needs of all children.

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Organisation

Some policies and procedures protect children sufficiently. The childminder makes best use of the time, space and resources, to ensure children have a stimulating day and are very well cared for. She makes the best use of her time to support children, uses space and resources well and keeps good records, using them well. Records are available and retained for inspection. They are well-organised and kept confidential. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure children have sufficient free space in the playroom. Children are able to access a wide range of toys and resources independently from appropriate storage. The play space is free from clutter which allows children to move about freely to develop their play.

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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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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): • continue to develop outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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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 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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