Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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228339 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2007 Inspection date Samantha Jayne Taylor 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 1997. She lives with her husband and their three children; two of the children are adults and the third child is aged sixteen years. They live in the locality of Kingstanding, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding 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 child aged two years. The admission policy allows children over the age of eight years to attend. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local playgroup and takes children to the local library and playground.

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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 benefit from learning the importance of good hygiene; they are actively encouraged to develop good self-help skills. For example, they learn to tidy toys away following play. Whilst the childminder is knowledgeable of childhood illnesses, the written policy is not consistent with current information regarding communicable illnesses. As a result, children's health is mostly supported.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met with home prepared nutritional meals provided; likes and dislikes are considered whilst encouraging a good range of food types. Healthy snacks include a variety of fruit which children enjoy and they benefit from tasting the different fruits provided. Individual cups for drinks are always available and easily accessible, encouraging children's overall independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access different experiences of outdoor play which increases both their physical and social skills. Activities include trips to the park, access to the rear garden and walks. Rest is incorporated into the daily routine, where children have the opportunity to either sleep or to enjoy quieter activities, such as looking at books together with the childminder. This helps children to understand the effect that exercise and rest has on the body.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the family environment and they are familiar with family members. An area is designated for children's play where toys and resources are readily accessible. This means that children self-select toys of their choice and interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder pays attention to safety; storage and accessibility of equipment and resources is effective. The childminder provides a range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate equipment which meets children's individual needs. Children explore their clean and safe environment with confidence. As a result, risks to children are minimised. Fire procedures are practised, with children encouraged to think about the safety of themselves and others so as to ensure overall safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities when working within child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and interested in the activities that are provided. Younger children confidently communicate what they would like to play with, for example, drawing. They interact well with the childminder, whom they involve in their play, with floor games such as playing with toy dinosaurs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a wide range of activities, which relate to their age and stage of development; the childminder is knowledgeable of individual interests. Their social skills and language development are excellently promoted by the childminder's appropriate questioning,

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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 interest and introduction of new words and experiences. Children are appropriately challenged, for example, they have the opportunity to explore capacity and shape through activities such as baking cakes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged and comforted by the childminder's use of voice, for example as they sit together to read books. Children are enthralled as they choose books and listen intently to stories read to them by the childminder. She extends their language for thinking as she asks appropriate questions and introduces prepositions such as 'under' and 'over'. As a consequence, children progress well in this area and positive relationships are established.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides some opportunities, which increase children's knowledge and understanding of the world, for example, through use of books children discuss different cultures. However, positive imagery resources of disability are few which means children's understanding of diversity is not fully extended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes consistency of care by discussing with parents, children's health needs, likes and dislikes, and daily routine. Regular feedback is also given regarding children's daily activities. Policies of the setting are accessible and discussed with parents. She holds current information regarding the complaints procedure which is available to share with parents upon request. This means that children benefit through good relationships and the sharing of regular information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's positive self-esteem is promoted by the childminder giving praise, time and support which allows them to explore and become confident in their surroundings. They interact well with the childminder who offers her time, praise and individual attention. She is knowledgeable of children's individual needs. As a result, children behave well and are aware of the rules of the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's experience of child development and commitment to ongoing training assists in the promotion of children's overall development.

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Organisation

Children confidently explore the space available. The setting is well organised as all facilities are on the ground floor level. As a consequence, children are effectively supervised. Contingency plans are readily in place with information shared with parents. This helps to safeguard children's welfare and to promote consistency of care.

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Organisation

Documentation is maintained, including detailed attendance records, which is stored in a confidential and appropriate manner. Detailed policies are available to share. These help to promote positive relationships and to support children and families.

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Organisation

Through the range of experiences offered and the childminder's organisation, children make good progress in their development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. The first raised was in relation to Standard 6 ensuring that electrical leads are inaccessible to children. These are now made safe which means risks to children are minimised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to improve the daily attendance register. The childminder documents the hours of children's arrival and departure to show the hours children are cared for. This helps to ensure children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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

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 positive imagery resources of disability • update the written policy regarding communicable illnesses.

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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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