Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343005 Unique Reference Number 20 June 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 2007. She lives with her husband and one adult child and one child aged fourteen in Yardley Wood, Birmingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, including the downstairs bathroom 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 one children under five all day. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and visits the library on a regular basis. The family have two pet rabbits.

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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 Childminders Association and she is completing training towards a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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. Positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures taken when children are injured or ill so that their health needs are met. Children are encouraged to take the responsibility for meeting their own health needs, by washing their hands after caring for the pet rabbits and before meals. As a result, children’s health is effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities to experience physical activity and develop their skills, both indoors and in the fresh air. Children walk to the library and local toddler groups and run around and play outside in a secure, enclosed garden. They are able to develop physical skills indoors as they are provided with art and craft activities to develop the skills needed for early writing skills. The needs of younger children are well met. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of younger children and provides stimulating activities and resources to support their physical and emotional development. They begin to roll, crawl and are able to pull themselves up on soft furnishings around them. A bright green blanket is laid on the carpet with interesting visual stimulation. The toys around encourage movement and exploration. For example, a small mirror encourages babies to roll towards the moving image. The good provision

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Helping children to be healthy

for physical play indoors and in the fresh air for all children, promotes an understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder is aware of the many learning opportunities to promote an understanding of healthy eating. Children learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides children with regular drinks and food that are nutritious and which comply with their dietary and religious needs. They are developing an awareness of factors which influence good outcomes for a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy food tasting and join in cookery activities for all ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is very well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings. A full assessment of possible risks is carried out, using research on the internet before trips farther away are undertaken. This ensures the safety of children whilst out and about with the childminder. She ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children in the home. Children are taught to minimise risks for themselves. They learn about the safety of younger children when moving around the rooms. Children are involved in clearing up and learn to ensure they don’t hurt themselves or others. They learn about fire safety, rehearsing the emergency evacuation procedure regularly with the provider.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and are well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. This is because the childminder ensures that the environment gives children good access to a suitable range of facilities that promote children’s development. Furniture, equipment and toys are appropriate for their purpose. They are of suitable design and condition and are well maintained. Resources, used by and only suitable for older children, are tidied away to ensure the safety of very young 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 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 learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by being encouraged to develop a sense of independence through good adult support in making choices and finding names for the own feelings and acceptable ways to express them. The childminder takes appropriate steps to ensure children are protected from adults who are unsuitable or have not been vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled because the childminder is relaxed with the children and confident in her approach to care for babies and young children. As a result, children are confident in their carer. There are no planned routines or information about what activities and games older children will experience whilst in the childminders care. However, older children are provided with sufficient resources to stimulate spontaneous play and they are encouraged to take part in group cookery activities, art activities and outdoor play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because the childminder is continuing to develop plans to provide activities and play opportunities that help children achieve in all areas and promote a good disposition to learning. The childminder continues to develop her skills in observation, in order to provide a well-organised routine for play and learning. She has begun to use the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and information, to help her to develop a balanced programme of activities, which promote younger children’s development. Younger children are suitably encouraged to develop their communication through language and gestures. Imitation is also used to communicate their needs. The childminder talks to all children and listens to their responses. Their work is valued and sometimes displayed for parents and carers and other’s children to see. Consequently,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good arrangements are made to ensure all children are included. There are sufficient, suitable resources and activities to help children learn about a diverse society through their play. This includes role play with dressing up resources and small world dolls and books, and topics covered in food activities. This means children have a balanced view about the wider world. They are becoming aware of their own needs and respect the needs of others. Older children are encouraged to care of, and take account of, the needs of younger and less able children. They make choices and decisions about their care and play activities, which develops their self-confidence and further self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. There are good, positive strategies to promote children’s behaviour appropriately. For example, the childminder explains how, with the aid of a two minute egg timer, children may take time out if their behaviour is miss directed or unacceptable. Praise and support helps them start to develop some self-esteem. Children are encouraged to play together, take turns and share. The childminder talks to parents about what is expected and have ‘parent and children’ rules. The children help to write the rules, for example, ‘we don't break our toys’, ‘we don't scream and shout because we might get a head

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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 ache’ and ‘we don't kick and bite because we might hurt someone’. Parent rules, devised by children, are, 'we always ask how our day went and are always nice'. As a result, children play harmoniously together and families are all aware of the rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are well met because the childminder works well with parents and carers to develop close partnerships so that all children are happy and settled. As a result, children feel comfortable and settled because they see parents and childminder acting together and giving consistent messages. However, although information exchanged verbally is effective, parents have little written information about children’s activities, probable routines or menus children may enjoy.

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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. She has begun a level 3 childcare course, has undertaken training in food hygiene and child protection. Children are protected from harm as the childminder is well aware of the importance of ensuring that all unvetted visitors are suitable and are not left unattended with children in the setting or whilst on outings.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her time well by providing many opportunities for outings in the week to local activities. These include joining with other childminders to provide good opportunities for children to socialise and mix with other children for part of the day and enjoy a good variety of planned activities together. For example, the children may take trips to the Sea Life Centre or simply join other children in art, craft or cookery activities at other childminder's homes. She has begun to use some of the training she has been undertaking to make observations of child development. This enables her to ensure babies and toddlers make good developmental progress. The observations provide her with information to allow her to make plans for future activities to promote child development and learning. Records are available and retained for inspection. They are well-organised and kept confidential. Overall children’s

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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 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

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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): • extend the range of planned activities and experiences for children, appropriate for their stages of development and based on their individual needs • improve information to parents about children's experiences and achievements.

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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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