Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347922 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Turner 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two years and ten years in a third floor flat in Nechells, Birmingham. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for one child full-time and one child during school holidays. The childminder walks to local groups and schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and well-being is generally fostered by the childminder. They gain a good understanding of the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder reminds children about washing their hands after using the bathroom and before meals and this helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Procedures are in place to protect children from infection and written information regarding notifiable diseases are shared with parents and supports the childminder's practice. Children

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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 are cared for if they become unwell whilst in her care, although she does not have a policy to support her practice. Most of the required documentation and formats are in place for accidents and medication. Although there have been no accidents as yet and the childminder has not been required to administer medication to children, consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not been obtained. Consequently children’s welfare is not fully protected. The childminder has kept her first aid training up-to-date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met, as these are discussed with parents and details of specific dietary needs are recorded. Children are provided with regular drinks and nutritious snacks that appeal to them, milk is offered to younger children and older children are able to help themselves to the water dispenser in the fridge. Children's physical skills are generally supported, although the childminder lives in a flat. They regularly go for walks to the local park where they ride bikes and use large climbing apparatus, or attend the carers and toddler group at the local nursery. This helps children develop confidence and positive attitudes to physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's home where they can develop their independence as they access equipment, toys and activities freely due to them being stored at their level. The childminder gives appropriate priority to keeping children safe indoors and outside and a number of safety precautions have been put into place to protect them. A gate fitted to the entrance to the kitchen restricts younger children when she is preparing meals and sockets around the house are fitted with covers. She talks to older children about their own responsibilities to keep themselves safe and about road safety, in a way which is appropriate to their age and level of understanding. Children are not fully protected in the event of a fire, because the childminder has not had an opportunity to practise the emergency evacuation procedure. Also she has not maintained an accurate record of the children's attendance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect children in her care from abuse. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. However, she does not have the current documentation to reinforce and safeguard children’s safety and welfare in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. This is likely to inhibit her ability to act quickly in reporting concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children relate very positively with the childminder and confidently engage in meaningful activities, prepared with their age and developmental stage taken into account. They learn through their play as they initiate their own activities and games supported effectively by the childminder. Babies hold on to furniture and pull themselves up and they develop their hand-eye coordination as they stretch to reach toys. Children’s individual needs are met well and they are well supported because the childminder’s interaction with them is good; she is sensitive, gives praise and shows interest in what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore a range of activities and resources which are used well to interest them. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, crawling through the play tunnel and smiling when playing 'Peek-a-boo' with her. They have lots of individual attention, because the childminder gets down to their level engaging herself in their play as they build towers with bricks and

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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 laugh with enjoyment as the bricks fall in a pile. Children benefit from the close relationship they have with the childminder ensuring they feel settled and secure in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals as the childminder meets their needs well. She works closely with parents, in order to identify children's likes, dislikes and personalities. Children receive appropriate support as individual needs are identified and met ensuring that children are broadly content and settled. The childminder is sensitive towards inclusion and the care of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is able to adapt the environment and activities to meet the needs of children. Although she is currently developing a policy of equality it does not support her practice in relation to children with disabilities. Children are starting to develop a sense of the wider world around. However, they have limited access to suitable toys that promote positive images of diversity. The childminder is aware of accessing further resources through the local toy library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the use of positive strategies for managing behaviour which helps children learn to understand behaviour boundaries. She is currently devising a written policy to support children's behaviour. She encourages older children to care for younger children and to consider them in their play ensuring they play together harmoniously and independently. Children receive praise and encouragement as the childminder claps her hand and smiles when the baby crawls through the play tunnel and as he pulls himself up to stand, this helps promote their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Children's individual care needs are discussed with parents, this helps children to settle in and feel comfortable. The childminder has a warm and friendly approach and works well with parents to meet the needs of children. Information is shared daily and parents are kept informed about their child's time at the setting. However, in the event that they have a complaint they do not have the contact details of the regulator and a complaints log has not been retained.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met effectively through the organisation of space and resources. Children feel at ease and at home as they settle in the homely environment where they have a designated play room. This contributes to their confidence in initiating their own activities and extending their learning and play.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are shared with parents to develop a sense of mutual trust, assuring a positive exchange of information takes place on a daily basis. Children's care, welfare and development are positively promoted through the childminder's commitment, enthusiasm and enjoyment of the role she plays in their lives. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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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

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.

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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 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): • obtain consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure the register reflects the accurate times of children's attendance • devise and practise an emergency escape plan • obtain a copy of the current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedure • extend the range of positive images resources to reflect all areas of equality in addition to a policy to support inclusion • ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure and devise a complaint log.

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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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