Childminder in BirminghamOfsted inspection, 10 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228652 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Shirley Delaney

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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 registered in 1996. She lives with her 2 adult children in the Aston area of Birmingham, close to local parks, shops and schools. The childminder uses all of the ground floor for childminding. Upstairs rooms are not used. The children have access to a secure rear garden. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children.

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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 enjoy a healthy diet, the childminder has organised menus which offer children a nutritious and varied selection of meals. Children access drinks independently as they are made easily accessible to children at all times. Children’s individual dietary needs are met well as the childminder makes sure she gathers information from parents about children’s dietary requirements. Children develop good personal habits. They routinely wash their hands after toileting, young children enjoy the experience of washing their hands and older children are learning about why they need to develop good bathroom habits. The childminder presents the children with a good role model as she talks to children about washing her own hands and tells them why. Children gain increasing independence and develop self help skills as the childminder assists children to have regard for their own personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical exercise which contributes to their good health. They regularly make use of the garden and local park facilities and enjoy routine access to large equipment at the local playgroup. Outdoor activities provide children with a variety of experiences which helps to develop their large physical skills, including wheeled toys for pushing, pulling and pedalling, trampolines, tunnels and climbing apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about staying safe, as the childminder practises fire drills to help children learn how to get out of the house safely in an emergency, discusses road safety and encourages children to tidy up after they have played with toys to prevent trips and falls. Children can safely select from accessible toys as good care is taken that resources are suitable for children’s age/ability and meet safety standards. They are able to make choices from a broad range of toys and resources stored at their level, developing their independence. Children are able to move around areas of the property used for childminding safely, as the childminder identifies and minimises most risks for children through following procedures in place to check for hazards on a daily basis and use of equipment such as a stair gate to prevent access to the hallway. Children’s safety and protection from harm is promoted positively, as the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has a clear understanding of her responsibility for protecting 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable, settled, relaxed and busily involved in play and learning experiences. They have access to a wide range of stimulating toys and resources which they are keen to play with. Children have good opportunities to take part in an extensive range of activities which offer them challenges and holds their interest. Children benefit from a flexible rota of activities that enables them to take part in a range of activities over time, which ensures that all their developmental needs are met. Children benefit from experiences outside the home. They routinely attend toddler groups increasing their opportunities to develop social skills. They take part in regular outing such as visits to the local shops and park, increasing their awareness of their local community. They join in organised trips to adventure playgrounds, theme parks, farms and other children’s attractions and places of interest which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develops their awareness of the wider environment. Children enjoy singing and confidently join in singing sessions. They develop confidence in communication skills as the childminder spends her time playing, talking, listening, reading and singing to children, extending their language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of resources which promote positive views of other cultures and disability, increasing children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Routine trips to local groups help children learn about their local community. Children are well behaved, confident and secure. They receive praise and encouragement for good behaviour as the childminder provides children with acknowledgement and reward when they help to tidy up, are kind and considerate to others and make personal achievements. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder pays good attention to meeting the children’s needs. Children’s routines and needs are discussed with parents and daily routines are organised to include periods of sleep and rest, meals and activity. Children benefit from a secure environment where parents are kept well informed. The childminder routinely shares verbal and written information on a daily basis with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents about their children’s routine, care and involvement in activities, contributing to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. The environment

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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 is generally well organised and child centred, which enables children to feel relaxed and at ease. Children confidently make choices and are eager to take part in the play experiences available to them. The childminder has completed relevant courses to ensure that she maintains a secure knowledge base for offering care to children. She generally keeps appropriate records to ensure children’s welfare and continuity of care is promoted. However, the records of medication administered to children are not always complete, as parents have not on each occasion signed the medication book to acknowledge the entry and accidents are not always recorded in a timely fashion.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that sufficient space is available to meet the needs of minded children. The childminder now makes use of additional space in the kitchen which is utilised for creative activities, mealtimes and storage of children’s toys.

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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 practise to ensure that accidents are recorded promptly and ensure that parents sign the medication record book to acknowledge the entry of medication administered to their child, on each occasion.

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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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