Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343722 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Rachel Wyatt 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 their adult son in the Bourneville district of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bathroom and toilet of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a 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 seven children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. They have opportunities to go on local walks and various outings. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Support is available for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder has an early years qualification to National Vocational Qualification level 2 and 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 good. Children's health and hygiene are effectively promoted. They are looked after in a clean and comfortable home. From an early age babies and toddlers are introduced to hand wiping before they eat and after outside play. Children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and the childminder is scrupulous about being a good role model. Nappy change routines ensure children's comfort and potty training is introduced in accordance with parents' wishes and when children are ready. Older children use the toilet and bathroom with growing independence, the childminder sensitively assisting where needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Other aspects of children's health are generally well supported. Their medical history and any allergies, conditions or dietary needs are discussed, recorded and clearly understood by the childminder. Parents ensure she is updated with any changes to their child's health or well-being. Should children have any accidents, require medication or become unwell they receive prompt appropriate treatment. However, in some instances children's well-being is compromised as there are a few omissions in accident and incident records, and not all parents' consents have been obtained to the childminder seeking medical advice and treatment in an emergency. The childminder is prepared for managing minor accidents as she has a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and children are able to be active. Interesting toys and equipment encourage their coordination and movement. All children have plenty of outside play in the garden where they use wheeled toys, play with sand and water and take part in different ball games. Regular visits to various local parks enable children to experience more challenging apparatus and to run about. During warm weather children are protected from the sun as the childminder encourages parents to provide hats and sun cream and she ensures children play in shaded areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies' and children's sleep and rest needs are well met. The childminder ensures younger children's settling routines are quietly and calmly followed so that they soon relax and sleep well. Quiet activities, some television and story times ensure older children relax and rest, for example, after school and outside play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder gives them regular drinks and provides tasty healthy snacks and meals which incorporate plenty of fruit and vegetables. Babies' feeding times are unhurried and relaxed. The childminder agrees weaning arrangements with parents, and is careful to discuss any new foods with them before offering these to babies or children. During sociable meal and snack times everyone, including the childminder, sits together. Children's independence is fostered so toddlers are doing really well in feeding themselves. Everyone enjoys their food. Children also help with food preparation, including making cakes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in secure, safe premises. Before children arrive the childminder is careful to check everywhere is set up ready and areas are free from hazards. During outings she makes sure play areas are safe and suitable. Play in the garden is well organised so that children only use wheeled toys on the level paved area. Children use sturdy, good quality toys, equipment and child-size furniture which are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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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 encouraged to take some responsibility for their own safety. Whilst in the garden or in the park, they understand how to play safely, to use apparatus correctly and to keep within agreed physical boundaries. During walks younger children travel safely in a push chair or walk beside the childminder, and all children are introduced to road safety rules. Parents are well informed about children's walks and outings, and the majority have given their written consent to these, including the use of transport. However, not all parents have confirmed their agreement to these arrangements which affects children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given priority in the childminder's emergency plan. This covers evacuating the premises and her contingency arrangements for their care should she be unable to do so due to unforeseen circumstances. She makes sure she has parents' and carers' contact numbers with her when she and the children are away from her home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm. Any existing injuries are discussed with parents and recorded. The childminder makes sure she has local safeguarding children guidance to hand, and parents are given a copy so they are aware of her responsibilities. Robust drop off and collection arrangements ensure children's safety when the childminder takes and collects them from school and when they go home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies and children have an enjoyable time. They are settled and busy because the childminder makes sure they have a variety of toys and games to play with. Her provision very much reflects the ethos of 'Birth to three matters'. Babies and children are also able to help themselves to many books and toys from low-level storage units or boxes. As a result they are confident and often self motivated in their play. The childminder joins in, offers additional toys such as some more colourful bricks and shapes to extend their play, and she supports their interactions. Already babies and younger children are beginning to relate well to each other, playing alongside one another and starting to share toys. The childminder chats easily to children, reinforcing younger children's sounds and words and encouraging conversations. Children of all ages enjoy the many worthwhile books she has. Babies and toddlers like sturdy board books with bright

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pictures and different textures, and older children appreciate stories and reference books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Many toys and activities promote children's learning. Through games, puzzles and books children learn about number, letter sounds, shapes and colour. Older children enjoy playing a variety of age-appropriate computer games. They also find out more about their environment; feeding the ducks in the park is popular with all ages. Younger children and babies relish the toys which encourage their exploration. They are absorbed as they find out different textures and shapes, discover how things fix together or fit in different containers. All children benefit from the strong focus on outdoor play and activities. A good selection of art and craft materials promote children's creativity and imagination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs, interests and abilities are effectively supported in the setting. The childminder ensures that she is well informed about each child's particular needs through regular discussions with parents about babies' and children's care routines, dietary needs and health. She enables each child to fully participate in the activities she provides, giving them individual support and attention so they settle quickly and feel emotionally secure and confident. Should

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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 she have any concerns about a child's development or progress the childminder is confident to discuss these and agree strategies for support with parents. Children's awareness of diversity is currently promoted mainly through books depicting positive images of race, culture and familiar aspects of home life and routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder ensures that they are settled and occupied. Younger children are introduced to sharing, taking turns and relating well to each other through play. Older children and the childminder discuss and agree 'house rules'. These are revisited during activities at home and on outings so that children do understand how they are expected to behave in different situations. The childminder shares her expectations with parents, including giving them a copy of her behaviour management policy when their child first attends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers really appreciate the childminder's provision for their children, highlighting their children's enjoyment and her commitment to their health and safety. Parents are well informed about the childminder's provision and in the main their wishes and agreements are identified with a few minor omissions. During initial visits they are encouraged to look at her portfolio of evidence which outlines how she organises her child care and they receive copies of her policies. Through daily discussions and feedback, including written information regarding babies, parents are well informed about their children's routines and activities. The childminder ensures parents and carers understand how to express any concerns as she gives them a copy of her complaints procedures and contact details for Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted and parents are reassured regarding the childminder's suitability. She and her family are vetted and she ensures she keeps up to date through training, access to local early years guidance and from her own research, for example, regarding the safety of garden plants. Parents are aware of her role and responsibilities through the policies and procedures she shares with them and because her certificate of registration is clearly displayed.

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Organisation

Children are contented and settled. The childminder has created a child-friendly homely environment, where babies and children can help themselves to many toys and books. Sessions and routines are smoothly run and relaxed. Each child benefits from the childminder's individual attention and they all enjoy the rewarding toys, games and resources she provides.

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Organisation

Children's care is generally supported by the childminder's record keeping. In the main parents are able to express their wishes through contracts and written agreements. Through discussions and record keeping they are informed of any accidents or incidents. However, there are some instances when confidentiality is not maintained or relevant details are left out. In other respects documents are well organised so that the childminder has securely stored information about children and their families. Overall children’s needs are met.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 arrangements for obtaining all parents' written permission to the seeking of emergency medical advice and treatment • improve arrangements for obtaining all parents' written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle • improve the accuracy and confidentiality of accident and incident records.

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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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