Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344492 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Hadley 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 husband and two children aged 6 and 8 years. They live in Halesowen in the West Midlands. The whole ground floor and one upstairs bedroom is used for childminding. 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 five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 9 children on roll who attend on a full or part time basis. The childminder takes children on local walks, to visit toddler groups and the library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including swingball, swings, slides, skittles, cricket, trampoline, balls and bikes. This enables them to develop their confidence on a variety of equipment that provides challenge. They regularly play outside in the garden and visit the park. The needs of the younger children are very well met because the childminder has a good

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 understanding of ‘Birth to three matters’. She provides a range of activities and resources to support the children’s independence and physical and emotional development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s individual care needs are extremely well met through procedures the childminder has implemented such as providing children with individual different coloured flannels and towels and their own beakers to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Children are very well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are excellent procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. For example, the sickness policy clearly states childhood diseases and exclusion periods and the childminder has emergency contact numbers for Doctors and NHS Direct displayed. The children are learning about their personal hygiene and how to keep healthy through regular hand washing, and brushing their teeth after lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks to ensure that they do not become de-hydrated and nutritious meals and snacks which include home cooked meals such as pasta and cottage pie and a variety of fruit and vegetables. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating and know that they eat food to help them to grow big and run fast.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. This is due to the childminders vigilance and the implementation of procedures such as risk assessments to ensure that children are safe. Children’s awareness of safety issues is developed through every day activities within the home and during outings. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely and practise emergency evacuation procedures every month.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an excellent range of equipment in place which children are able to select for themselves and use safely. This is due to procedures the childminders has implemented to regularly check toys and equipment. All fire equipment such as smoke alarms are in place and checked monthly and the premises have been checked by the local fire officer. Children are further protected as the premises are secure and there are very good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminders in-depth knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and interact positively with the childminder. They develop confidence and independence because the childminder gives them chance to chose and explore activities and ideas for themselves whilst still offering support and encouragement. Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers constant praise and encouragement for every activity children undertake. For example, when encouraging a younger child to build with building cups and knock them over and when reinforcing words when children are learning to talk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's interest and learning is stimulated as the childminder provides an extensive rage of activities which encourages children's intellectual development. For example, she encourages

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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 children to write letters and count different objects. Children are building positive relationships with the childminder and are obviously happy and contented in her care. They actively seek her out to participate in games or for a hug. The childminder has developed an excellent balance between adult interaction to extend learning and providing children time to initiate and explore games and activities for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an extensive range of age appropriate, interesting and stimulating activities to help them learn which includes books, construction, role play, crafts, puzzles, table top games, junk modelling and a textured floor mat. Children's individual needs and routines are very well met and their enjoyment and learning is fostered and encouraged. This is due to the childminders in-depth knowledge of children's development and their individual preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Daily discussions with parents ensure that their individual needs are recognised and met very well. The childminder's very good awareness of disabilities and her commitment to updating her knowledge and working with outside agencies ensures that all children’s needs are fully met and that children are fully integrated within the setting. However, children's knowledge of diversity is potentially hindered due to the limited resources of positive images available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective and consistent ways for dealing with children’s behaviour, which includes setting boundaries, using praise rather than criticism, talking to children about their behaviour, or distracting them. Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules such as saying please and thank you, respecting other people, and not running in the house. Behaviour management strategies are positive and age appropriate. Parents are made aware of them before their children start.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are extremely well met. Very good partnerships with parents mean that children are well settled with a familiar and trusted adult, separate happily from the parent, and are gaining self-assurance and confidence with others. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes and information is shared with parents on a regular basis through daily verbal feedback and an all about me book. All relevant information such as daily routines, qualifications and policies relating to the childminding practice are available for parents to see.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well qualified. She regularly attends local short courses to ensure she is up to date with new ideas and information and evaluates them for parents to see. This enables her to fully support the children in her care.

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Organisation

All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place and regularly reviewed. The register clearly states the child's full name and actual times of arrival and departure. In-depth additional information relating to the setting such as policies and daily routines support the childminder’s excellent practice. Documentation is safely stored to maintain confidentiality whilst still being easily accessible in an emergency. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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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): • continue to develop resources which promote positive images of diversity, to ensure that children gain knowledge of the wider world.

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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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