Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344173 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Hadley 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years. They live in a house in Halesowen within walking distance of shops and schools. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has one dog who the children have access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. There are currently five children on roll who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) attends local toddler groups and takes and collects children from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including hopscotch, assault courses, swing ball, tunnels, a trampoline, slides, climbing frames and bikes. This enables them to develop their confidence on a variety of equipment that provides challenge. They have opportunities

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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 to experience fresh air as they walk to school every day and regularly play outside in the garden. They enjoy visits to the park and splash in the puddles when it has been raining. The needs of the younger children are very well met because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the needs of the younger children and ‘Birth to three matters’. She provides a range of activities and resources to support the children’s independence and physical and emotional development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s individual care needs are extremely well met through procedures the childminder has implemented such as providing children with their own towels and individual beakers to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Children are very well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are excellent procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. For example, the sickness policy clearly states child hood and communicable diseases. Parents are informed of exclusion times and of the childminder's role in reporting contagious diseases. Children are learning about their personal hygiene and how to keep healthy. They wash their hands at appropriate times during the day, brush their teeth after lunch and enjoy topics and sports weeks when they learn about keeping healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks to ensure that they do not become de-hydrated and nutritious meals and snacks which include a variety of fruit and vegetables. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating and talk about their favourite foods. One child said “Melon is my favourite food”. Children's individual dietary requirements are very well met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. This is due to the childminder's vigilance and the implementation of procedures such as risk assessments to ensure that children are safe. Children’s awareness of safety issues is developed through every day activities within the home and during outings. They learn how to cross the road safely and why things are dangerous and the consequences. For example, when playing a game where they point to hot and cold objects.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide range of equipment in place which children are able to select for themselves and use safely. This is due to procedures the childminders has implemented to regularly check toys and equipment. Fire equipment such as smoke alarms are in place, however, the fire blanket is not correctly fitted. Therefore children's safety is potentially compromised in this area. Children are further protected as the premises are secure and there are very good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminders in-depth knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and interact positively with the childminder. They develop confidence and independence because the childminder gives them chance to chose and explore activities and ideas for themselves whilst still offering support and encouragement. For example, choosing a topic for surprise week in the holidays. Children develop self-esteem as the

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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 childminder offers constant praise and encouragement for every activity children undertake. For example, when playing with the knights and their horses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's interest and learning is stimulated as the childminder provides an extensive rage of activities which encourages children's intellectual development. For example, topics on mini beasts, collecting objects for the nature basket and treasure hunts. Children are building positive relationships with the childminder and are obviously happy and contented in her care. They actively seek her out to participate in games or for a hug. The childminder has developed an excellent balance between adult interaction to extend learning and providing children time to initiate and explore games and activities for themselves. For example, children making invitations to a teddy bears' picnic.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an extensive range of age appropriate, interesting and stimulating activities to help them learn which includes crafts such as collage, making snakes from old tights and junk modelling. They learn tipping and pouring through water play, visit the local library for rhythm and rhyme sessions and enjoy puzzles, threading and a range of role play activities. Children's individual needs and routines are very well met and their enjoyment and learning is fostered and encouraged. This is due to the childminders in-depth knowledge of children's development and their individual preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals and discussions with parents ensures that their individual needs are recognised and met very well. The childminders very good awareness of disabilities and her commitment to updating her knowledge and working with outside agencies ensures that all children’s needs are fully met and that children are fully integrated within the setting. However, children's knowledge of diversity is potentially hindered due to the limited resources of positive images available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective and consistent ways of dealing with children’s behaviour which includes, encouraging self discipline and respect for others, setting realistic limits, being a positive role model and offering encouragement, praise, appreciation and attention in order to build children's self- esteem. Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules such as 'we say please and thank you, we having lots of fun together, we are always polite, we say sorry if we upset anyone and we are not destructive to books toys and things in the house'. Behaviour management strategies are age-appropriate and parents are made aware of them before their children start.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are extremely well met. Very good partnerships with parents mean that children are well settled with a familiar and trusted adult, separate happily from the parent, and are gaining self assurance and confidence with others. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and information is shared with parents on a regular basis through daily verbal feedback and a daily diary. All relevant information such as daily routines, qualifications and policies relating to the childminding practice are available for parents to see.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well qualified. She regularly attends and evaluates local short courses to ensure she is up to date with new ideas and information. This enables her to fully support the children in her care.

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Organisation

All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place and regularly reviewed. The register clearly states the child's full name and actual times of arrival and departure. An in-depth operational plan includes additional information relating to the setting such as policies, daily routines and how the childminder meets the National Standards. This supports and enhances the childminder’s excellent practice. Documentation is safely stored to maintain confidentiality whilst still being easily accessible in an emergency. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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. 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): • ensure that a fire blanket that conforms to British safety standards is fitted in the kitchen • continue to develop a range of resources and activities to promote positive images of diversity.

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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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