Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228230 Inspection date 13 September 2005 Inspector Janet Ashcroft

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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 satisfactory. 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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 12 years and 15 years, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and all rooms upstairs, except for the master bedroom. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children on a part-time basis. The family has a dog, two cats and a rabbit, to which minded children have

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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 occasional supervised access. The childminder attends local playgroups and toddler groups on a regular basis and operates a collection and delivery service to the local school and nursery. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children participate in a variety of physical activities, which contribute to their good health and provide opportunities to develop and practise physical skills, for example, they regularly visit the local park and full use is made of the garden for physical play and exploration. Children are learning about appropriate hygiene practices through the childminder's example and through discussion. They are able to access equipment to assist their independence and self-care skills. Children's nutritional needs are accommodated well and their independence is fostered as they access drinks freely. Children's health is generally promoted through appropriate record keeping, however their welfare is not fully safeguarded as permission from parents to seek emergency treatment and medication is not always obtained. Furthermore, the procedure for recording parental acknowledgement of medication administered is inconsistent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move independently around the setting, which is clean and well maintained. The childminder has taken some precautions to reduce hazards, however children's safety is presently compromised due to the accessibility of sharp implements in the kitchen drawer and the accessibility of the lock inside the bathroom door. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through participation in safety routines, such as fire evacuation drills. Children enjoy free access to an appropriate range of toys and equipment, which the childminder maintains in a clean and safe condition. The range is well balanced and caters for the children's developmental progression. Children's protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's sound knowledge of signs and symptoms.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to engage in an appropriate range of activities, which helps them make progress in all areas of development. Good use is made of the garden for exploration and investigation. For example, the children cultivate their own sink garden, which promotes their understanding of the natural world. They are learning to make choices as they access toys and equipment freely and independently. Children's social skills are developing through the learning and play opportunities that they experience outside the home. Their language skills are promoted through daily interaction with the childminder, who asks appropriate questions and listens carefully to their responses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals, with their particular needs considered and accommodated. They are learning about the wider world as they visit local places of interest. However, they do not have many opportunities to explore diversity through the use of resources, as toys which promote positive images are presently limited. Children's sense of security is fostered through the strong partnership with parents and information is exchanged on a daily basis and in a variety of ways. Children show care and concern for others and their behaviour is positively managed by the childminder. Children's self-esteem is promoted as they are praised often for effort and achievement.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children move confidently around the premises and they are able to play and explore in appropriately organised space. They benefit from the security of a daily routine and from their individual needs being taken into account when organising activities. Children's welfare and care is promoted through the childminder's record keeping; this is generally satisfactory, although some documents are inaccurate. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure that the children have an appropriate range of activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to update the address on her driving licence. The childminder has developed her range of resources, however it is limited and does not

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Improvements 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 give the children many opportunities to explore diversity or to develop understanding of others. The children's welfare is not safeguarded when travelling in the childminder's vehicle as she has not yet updated the address on her driving licence.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • protect children's health and safety by ensuring that parental permission is obtained for seeking emergency medical treatment and by ensuring that parents always sign the medication record to acknowledge administration of medicines • promote the children's understanding of others by extending the range of resources reflecting positive images of gender, disability, ethnicity and culture • maintain a safe environment for children by ensuring that sharp knives in the kitchen are inaccessible and that children are unable to lock themselves in the bathroom • ensure the children's welfare by maintaining accurate documentation.

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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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