Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289742 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Esther Gray 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 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 2004 and is also registered to work with an assistant. She lives with her husband and adult child in Kings Norton, Birmingham. Children have access to most rooms on the ground floor including, the playroom, entrance ,reception room, kitchen, toilet and wash room and a first floor bedroom and bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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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 eight children during the day and before and after school, at different times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The house is within walking distance of shops, schools and parks and is accessible by bus. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. She is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children’s health is soundly promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to promote children’s good health by encouraging them to begin to take responsibility of meeting their own health needs. They wash their hands before meals, after toileting and if they have been in contact with the dog. The house is kept clean and tidy and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures taken when children are injured or ill, so that health needs are met. However, in an effort to prevent children's access to the kitchen bin, where nappies are disposed off, a lock fitted to the pedal bin means the childminder needs to touch the top of the bin to open it. As a result, there is a potential for cross-infection in an area where food is being prepared.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. Although the childminder provides children with food which is nutritious and good details are kept about children's dietary requirements, children are sometimes offered biscuits as first choice rather than fruit. There is no menu displayed or available for parents to enable them to plan a balanced diet for their children, however, they are informed about what foods children have enjoyed during their stay. Children enjoy every opportunity to play outdoors in the fresh air. They enthusiastically take part in regular play outdoors in the garden, on a slide, swings and climbing frame unit and with ball games and ride-on toys, which develop their physical skills. They have some opportunities to learn about healthy eating in discussion at snack times and older children discuss the benefits of fresh air and exercise. As a result, children are beginning to develop an awareness of factors which

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Helping children to be healthy

influence good outcomes for a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and are very well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. The security of the property is assured with additional measures in place to monitor the access to the back garden from the garage area at the rear of the property, as a double layer of fencing allows a visual monitoring of access to the property from this direction. There are a good range of resources and equipment available for children to develop their play safely. This is because the setting provides furniture, equipment and toys which are appropriate for their purpose. They are of suitable design and condition and are well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is very well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings. She ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children. She has a good appreciation of safety and security and is developing the children's appreciation of how to keep themselves safe; in teaching them to clear up after themselves, the dangers of running on laminate flooring, in rehearsing the emergency evacuation procedure and the children are reminded not to run behind the swing when children are using it. As a result, they are learning to minimise risks inside and in the garden for themselves. Younger children are able to investigate and explore their surroundings safely. They begin to understand there are rules and boundaries that keep them safe and are developing self control in order that they do not hurt others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice. She shares

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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 information with parents about her role and responsibilities, using the purple sheets required by the Birmingham local authority. She has attended training and kept up to date in the latest best practice in child protection. As a result, she is able to safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive to a well laid out room with toys accessible for them to choose from. A variety of toys and equipment are prepared for them to play with and more resources are stored to allow changes to be made to introduce more variety and interest. Children can play both indoors and outside in an enclosed garden which also has a range of toys and equipment on which they can play. The childminder also visits local play areas, parks and library, if the weather allows. As a result, children explore confidently and are independent and developing their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children have their individual needs met and are developing a satisfactory range of knowledge and skills. Although the childminder is actively engaged in children's play, there are no planned activities to help promote children's development and make best use of the knowledge the childminder has of children's starting points, likes and dislikes. There are, however, a variety of play opportunities provided that help children achieve. Children enjoy the use of educational programmes on the computer, use of, for example, dolls house which develop their imaginative play and they have access to a wide range of puzzles and books for enjoyment and research, which develop communication, language and literacy. Children begin to distinguish right from wrong and form positive relationships. The childminder has a quiet manner and encourages children to share, not to snatch and patiently encourages children to persevere with puzzles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are consistent boundaries and reliable adult support, which helps children to develop appropriate social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are valued as individuals, which actively promotes inclusion. Although there are no planned activities to promote equal opportunities or to allow equal opportunities to form a part of planning general everyday activities and routines, she is mindful of the language to use to ensure children learn by her example. For instance, when referring to the need for a person to mend a broken toy, she illustrates the importance of using words carefully so as not to suggest any gender preference in skills and abilities. This ultimately impacts on children's perceptions of their future prospects, by not being gender specific in identifying who might repair the toy. There are a wide variety of resources available to allow the childminder to discuss the wider multicultural environment. Children discuss how people in wheelchairs access the ramp of the small world play house. All children are treated equally and all children can access

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Helping children make a positive contribution

all resources offered. Most areas are easily accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing good self-esteem and respect for others. The childminder is clear and patient with children, developing their appreciation for tolerance and understanding in dealing with younger children, whose lack of language development causes frustration. There is a behaviour management statement which is clear in sharing the effective strategies adopted by the childminder to correct unacceptable behaviour and in encouraging children to manage their feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are satisfactorily met because the childminder works with parents and carers to develop partnerships so that all children achieve and settle well. Although parents

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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 are informed about the type of day their children have had, they are not provided with a typical timetable or menu to know what the balance of activities are in this setting to enable parents to plan a balanced diet for their children. There is a statement in the portfolio about the complaints policy for this setting. This informs parents of their right to complain and who to complain to. Although there have been no concerns raised by parents or carers, to view within the log, parents are not aware of the existence of the log, which is not filed within the portfolio of information for parents to see. As a result the exchange of information lacks some significant details to keep parents well informed to promote the welfare of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a satisfactory organisation of the setting. It ensures that children’s health and safety and well-being are met. The childminder is aware of the importance of protecting children from unvetted visitors, by not leaving them unattended with children in the house or on outings. She has completed a sequence of courses in childcare education. This has resulted in her achieving a child care qualification. She has a certificate in childminding practice as well as attending other courses in food hygiene and training in the framework 'Birth to three matters'. As a result, children are well cared for in a setting where the childminder is committed to continue to update her skills and knowledge by attending training, having a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement.

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Organisation

Whilst the provider is well qualified and keeps up to date in best practice, she does not make best use of her assistant and does not make best use of the knowledge she has acquired to plan and develop the activities to further extend children's developmental progress. There are weaknesses in record keeping. For example, the need to record the presence of her assistant, to demonstrate conditions of registration are met and to safeguard both children and adults against allegations of possible child abuse have not been successfully implemented. Documents are kept in a folder, however, some documents are not readily to hand. For example, the prepared sheet for logging any complaints is not readily available to share with parents, who are not made aware of the existence of a log. As a result, although no concerns have been made by parents to date, it is not made clear to them that there is a process attached to the complaints

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Organisation

policy which would ensure parents are fully informed and children are safeguarded. Records are available and retained for inspection. They are suitably organised and kept confidential. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and ensure that the daily record of the children's attendance includes the names of the persons looking after the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has some very good resources to enable the her to promote equal opportunities and raise children's awareness of the wider multicultural society. The record of children's attendance includes the times of children's arrival and departure and some improvements have been made to reflect the role of the childminder's assistant. The record demonstrates the presence of the assistant and which children they are responsible for at any one time when the assistant has sole charge of children with parental permission. However, it remains unclear that when additional children are cared for, requiring the presence of both childminder and assistant, that in fact both have been on site. Consequently, although the assistant lives at this address, children's welfare is not fully protected because it is not clear how adult to child ratios are met.

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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

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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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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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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): • develop the system for recording the presence of an assistant within the record of children's daily hours of attendance to demonstrate which adults are present to care for children • consider ways of recording children’s progress to plan the next steps for their development through play • improve information to parents: this includes information about their child's experiences and achievements and the procedure for raising any concerns they may have • implement good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection in the safe disposal of nappies

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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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