Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282207 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2007 Inspection date Diane Ashplant 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 2004. She lives with her husband in a detached house in the Shirley area of Solihull close to local amenities. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently looking after one baby. The childminder takes children to the local toddler and pre-school activity groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted through regular opportunities for movement around the rooms and the chance to use a wide range of equipment to encourage physical development. Children have access to a garden, where they enjoy physical games and resources such as balls and hoops and a range of sit and ride toys. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 environment where the childminder carries out daily routines to ensure this is maintained. Babies are changed with due regard to health and hygiene and older children are provided with their own linen towels to reduce the chance of any cross infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she is aware of how to act in an emergency in the best interests of the child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to promote their health through a balanced nutritious diet and the childminder ensures she talks carefully with the parent so she understands babies' individual routines and supports parents' wishes. Children receive lots of encouragement as they have their meals and they are given regular drinks to ensure they are well hydrated. The childminder has a good understanding of how to store and prepare food, and has recently attended food hygiene training and is now starting to make records to support this such as daily fridge temperatures. The childminder is aware that some children have individual dietary needs and talks carefully with parents at registration to ensure she has a good understanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to use all areas of the household safely, as the childminder has a good understanding of how to keep them safe and has therefore taken suitable precautions to protect them against most hazards. There is a well maintained garden for children to play in with lots of interesting areas to explore. However, it is not fully secure and the bird bath is not properly fixed and therefore may potentially compromise children's safety. The childminder is alert to hazards, such as the fire and accessible ornaments which she has either secured or placed out of reach. She is fully aware of the need to keep children safe at all times and has comprehensive policies to support her practices such as lost child and safe collection and shares these effectively with parents. She has an extensive selection of resources, which are very well stored and labelled which helps provide easy access to them. These are regularly checked and thoroughly maintained

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to ensure their excellent condition. Children have a good balance of supervision and independence as the childminder, for example allows, them to explore the garden while setting the guidelines and explaining why they should not touch the berries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and of her responsibility to pass on any concerns appropriately. She has booked on a course to update her knowledge and has a full and up to date policy which she shares with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from their time with the childminder, who is very responsive to their individual needs and creates a day which is full of different play and learning experiences for them to enjoy. She has a very good understanding of how children learn and has worked for many years with pre-school children and is skilled at providing exciting and challenging activities. The house is inviting and welcoming as there are lots of displays of children's work and bright posters around the walls, which creates a stimulating environment for children and inspires their interest and participation. There is a superb selection of resources to support children's play and learning which cover all areas of development and these are very well organised. The childminder uses themes for older children and effectively plans her resources to support these, so that children's learning is extended and developed. She also clearly recognises the importance

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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 of allowing children to make their own choices and develop their own play through providing many opportunities, such as cardboard boxes for imaginative play as a pirate ship.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts very well with the children, clearly enjoying her time spent with them and responding and engaging through conversation, songs and eye contact. She provides children with a wealth of different experiences both inside and outside the home and uses every opportunity to stimulate and extend, such as placing toys around the changing area or on the landing. She displays a spontaneous and natural warmth with the children who instinctively respond to this as they settle, feel comfortable and are therefore happy to engage fully in all that is offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into this household where the childminder spends a lot of time getting to know children and parents well, which helps them to settle in and feel comfortable. All appropriate information is taken at registration about individual needs and routines and the childminder responds accordingly to these within each child's day. Children are able to enjoy a very wide selection of toys and resources including those reflecting diversity, which helps develop independent choices. They have opportunities to meet with other children as they visit local amenities, like the library or join with local groups such as the toddlers, where they enjoy a range of different play and social experiences. The childminder recognises the importance of sharing children's own cultures and organises some of her activities around different celebrations. She has had previous experience supporting children with learning

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Helping children make a positive contribution

difficulties and/or disabilities and knows the value of liaising with parents and outside agencies to ensure each child is valued and included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from being part of a very positive and supportive environment where the childminder provides a lot of individual attention and encouragement, which helps develop their self-confidence and self-esteem. They are spoken and listened to well and their achievements are celebrated, such as through the displaying of their work. The childminder demonstrated how she has reasonable expectations for children, such as being polite and sharing toys and also how she carefully explains the consequences of any inappropriate behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good and the childminder spends time getting to know them well, as she fully understands the importance of working together in the best interests of the child. She is always available to talk with parents about their child's day and also shares a daily diary with them and invites their contributions. She has a comprehensive folder which she shares with parents, so they have a good understanding of how she organises her childminding business and gives them a copy of all her policies.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are part of a very well organised childminding setting, where they receive excellent care and attention and many opportunities to enjoy a range of social and learning experiences. The childminder is very focused on meeting children's individual needs and working closely with parents to help them achieve their potential. She is fully aware of her responsibility to protect children at all times and knows to inform Ofsted of any significant events or changes to the household. She provides a balanced day, which includes social time out in the community

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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 meeting others and has a superb range of resources to support children's development. These are very well organised and stored so that any planned activity is very well resourced and linked very effectively into all areas of learning. The childminder is committed to reviewing and developing her knowledge and practices through attending a range of courses. All the required paperwork for the safe and efficient management of her business is in place, regularly reviewed and updated and efficiently stored. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were two recommendations set in relation to resources reflecting disability and also obtaining written consents from parents. All written consents are now in place and the very extensive selection of resources includes those which reflect disability.

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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): • assess the risks to children in relation to the outside area and take action to minimise these.

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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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