Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228548 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Sharon Waterfall

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2000 and lives with her husband and two children. They live in a house in the Shard End area of Birmingham within walking distance of the local school and public transport. The lounge, dining room and conservatory are used for childminding. The first floor is not used for childminding except for the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed back garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years, of these 3 may be under 5 years of age with 1 able to be under 1 year of age.

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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 She is currently caring for 5 children aged 1 year, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years and 7 years. She also cares for 4 children aged 8 years and above on a full and part time basis. She works with a co-minder. The childminder has completed an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children receive healthy and nutritious meals. Through a wonderful variety of activities they learn about how foods are grown and harvested. They have planted and are helping to nurture tomato plants and strawberries, which enables them to investigate and explore where food comes from. Their attitudes to healthy foods are developed through these activities. For example, the children have investigated raw cabbage through all their senses and then cooked it and discussed the changes. The children explore, test and develop physical control in stimulating indoor and outdoor experiences. They engage in outdoor play on a regular basis in the childminder's premises and on arranged outings. Younger children have achieved milestone goals as they have passed swimming distances and all children have enthusiastically enjoyed learning about Egyptian dancing. The children actively participate in finding new challenges for physical development as they have initiated

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Helping children to be healthy

a park hunt. They are looking for the most interesting park with equipment and activities that provide different experiences and more challenging obstacles. The children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through the consistent daily routines. They are cared for in a warm, clean home and the childminder's constant reminders ensure that cross contamination is limited. The consistent policies and procedures ensure children's health and welfare are a priority at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in rooms that have been adapted to provide spacious areas for play. This includes indoor and outdoor premises and enables children to engage in active or quieter play, as meets their needs. The children are able to move around the home safely and do so with confidence, accessing toys and resources independently. The childminder has a high level of awareness of all risks to children's safety and has taken effective precautions to keep the environment safe and secure. Children are actively learning to keep themselves safe through participation in safety routines such as fire evacuations and lost child procedures. Children benefit from opportunities to explore other environments, for example local parks and farms and the childminder has all the required procedures and

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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 documentation in place, though an uncertain aspect of vehicle insurance may have some impact on children's safety whilst travelling. The children's protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's detailed knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle extremely well in the childminder's care and enthusiastically participate in the stimulating and interesting activities that she has planned. The children are captivated and often inspired to use their imaginations vividly and initiate their own learning. They are encouraged to develop the activities and take them further, to be self assured and confident in trying out new ideas. They design an audience to watch their spectacular shows and adapt it to add logos for sponsorship deals. The lighting and stage are set for the children to impress with their magic tricks and dog training skills. The show is filmed and the children delightedly watch themselves and critique their own performances. The children benefit from having many new and exciting experiences, such as Egyptian dancing, a beach party at the library, swimming, baking and growing their own foods. The children work well together, as they share ideas for their show. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children develop their learning of number, rhyme and opposites as they are supported in games that focus on these aspects of education. A young child enjoys rhyming several words and often announces these accomplishments to the others. The children create exciting, individual artwork but also work together to create joint projects. Younger children learn about the world around them as they explore natural and man-made materials. They learn about how things work and are fascinated as they have hands on experiences. For example, they learn about the importance of recycling by visiting the local rubbish tip and how launderettes work as they wash and dry a quilt.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are fully included in the forward planned and stimulating activities provided by a conscientious childminder. Their individuality is valued and respected with their needs well met as all issues of care are discussed fully with parents. Younger children are supported in their overall development and older children are enabled to further develop their own ideas, thoughts and opinions. Children's achievements are celebrated and as a result of these actions, their self-esteem and confidence grows. Their awareness of diversity and views of the wider world are positively promoted by the effective use of resources and visits to places in the local community that include many multicultural aspects within activities.

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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 The children cooperate extremely well, older children include and support younger children and many of the activities are completed as a group. They are well behaved, polite and use humour effectively to induce a friendly and warm atmosphere. Positive praise and encouragement are used very well to support the children's overall progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to confidently explore and investigate safely as a result of the well adapted and creative use of the available play space. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support, which aids their ability to initiate and extend aspects of their own play and learning. Children's welfare, care and learning are promoted through effective use of policies and procedures. They are shared with parents, who are kept well informed about the service and their child's care and activities. This aids the continuity of children's overall care. All legal documentation required is held and meets all relevant standards. The provision effectively meets the overall needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous care inspection two actions were set for the childminder to complete a first aid course relevant to young children and infants and to record children's attendance accurately. The childminder has now completed a first aid course that includes first aid for young children and infants, ensuring that children's safety and health are effectively supported. She also records children's attendance accurately further supporting their care and welfare.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • verify vehicle insurance to clarify the position that the named driver has relevant insurance to transport minded children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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