Clark Marian

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 227636 Inspection date 05 October 2005 Inspector Teresa Marie Taylor

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 had been a registered since 1998. She lives with her family in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham. Children have the use of the playroom, lounge, first floor bathroom and one bedroom, kitchen, under supervision, and a fully enclosed and secure garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for two children one of which is under five. Children can be taken to and from local playgroups and schools. The family have two dogs to which the children have no access.

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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 outstanding. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of good hygiene practices as the childminder has very good routines in place. Children have their own individually labelled towels. There are very good standards of hygiene within the house and garden ensuring children's general good health. The childminder has completed a first aid course and has an appropriately stocked first aid kit ensuring she is able to respond appropriately to any accidents children might have. The garden has been divided to provide a secure area for the dogs to which the children have no access therefore preventing any possibility of cross infection. Children enjoy access to a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and activities which contribute to their physical development and independence. The childminder's understanding of the physical needs of young children enables her to provide suitable and appropriate activities to support children's development. Children have

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Helping children to be healthy

access to outdoor play daily and also enjoy regular visits to the park and nature centre. Planned activities include music and movement. The childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' to assess her own practice. Children's individual feeding and sleeping routines are agreed with parents and supported by the childminder enabling children to rest, sleep and eat according to their individual routines. Children help themselves to drinks and have their own suitable containers with those for the youngest children regularly topped up by the childminder. Parents supply all food and this is stored in the fridge and prepared as agreed with the parents. The childminder provides snacks ensuring they meet parental requests and dietary needs. All information regarding children's diets are recorded on the children's information sheets. The childminder's policies on hygiene, sickness, accidents, pets and first aid are displayed for the parents giving clear

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Helping children to be healthy

information on the childminder's practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child-centred home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they can move around freely, safely and independently. Children are beginning to understand about safety and risks as the childminder always gives explanations. There are good routines in place that are fully discussed with the children and policies are displayed so that parents are aware of the precautions that the childminder takes to ensure their children's well-being and safety. Children choose their own activities from a wide range of toys and equipment that the childminder ensures are safe, in good condition and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. A visual risk assessment is carried out daily and a full weekly check is undertaken at which time equipment and toys are cleaned and

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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 examined ensuring children are not exposed to accidental damage from broken equipment. This ensures that children are safe and well protected. The children do not have access to the dogs. The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place, with the exception of consent to seek emergency medical treatment, to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder has clear plans for fire evacuation and these are shared and practised with the children. Outings are planned to ensure the children's safety and there is a policy in place for checking activities outside of the home. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and shares these with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. The children present related to each other and the childminder very well. They are very 'at home' and express this by making personal choices, requesting and receiving appropriate attention and understanding from the childminder. Their emotional well-being is fostered well. The childminder displays her knowledge and understanding of children's development with careful and consistent management. This enables children to develop appropriate strategies for sharing and playing together. Language development is actively encouraged and children are encouraged to be vocal and make decisions. To further develop experiences for the children they attend activities outside of the home and visit the local park and nature centre. The childminder encourages children to fully express themselves and she responds well to children's requests for interactive play or changes of toys. This enables children to develop independence

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and self-esteem. The childminder regularly changes toys and equipment, for the youngest children, in order to keep them interested and stimulated. The appropriate storage of equipment allows children to safely access all toys and equipment. Children are also provided with planned activities. These are designed to extend opportunities for children whilst ensuring safety. When the youngest children are asleep older children are given more challenging activities. Samples of children's work, projects, outings undertaken and, children's developmental stages are contained in the childminder's portfolio. This gives parents the opportunity to have a good understanding of their child's day and to see what the childminder is offering.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children and parents are made very welcome and the children's behaviour is good. The childminder sets consistent boundaries which helps the children learn to co-operate, share and begin to take responsibility for their actions. The children's understanding of right and wrong is developing well due to the consistent behaviour

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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 management strategies used. The childminder discusses behaviour issues with both parents and children ensuring everyone hears the same message and consistency is maintained. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routines, as discussed and agreed with parents. There are good partnerships with parents which contribute significantly to children's well-being. Parents are provided with daily conversations about children's activities and behaviour ensuring they are aware of their child's day and, reassured about their care. There is a notice board for parents which contains the childminder's policies, essential documentation and samples of the children's work and activities. Children's independence is encouraged enabling them to develop a sense of self-esteem and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

belonging. The childminder is aware of individual needs and ensures these are met enabling children to develop at their own rate, whilst ensuring activities include some degree of challenge. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and provides toys and equipment, discusses festivals from around the world and, encourages children to try a wide variety of foods. The childminder has a good understanding of special needs and would provide care for any child if parents thought her setting was appropriate for their child's needs. There is an extensive portfolio for parents containing a wealth of information, samples of children's work, information on the Birmingham Partnership, places children are taken to and information on the early learning goals. The childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' to assess her own practice and to ensure the appropriate care and development of

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming and child-centred environment. They have good access to resources and are provided with a wide range of experiences which keep them motivated and interested in what is available. Children are taken to external events which gives them a wide range of experiences and opportunities. Space is well organised enabling the children to move freely as their play develops and they become more confident in accessing toys and equipment for themselves and in requesting attention. The childminder has continued to undertake training and has plans to complete her National Vocational Qualification training at level 3 and then to undertake 'Birth to three matters' training. This will provide her with more options and a greater understanding of her role as a childminder and therefore provide greater experiences for children. All relevant documentation and daily activities are shared with parents and this help

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Organisation

parents gain a good insight into the type of service provided for their children. Agreements with parents are recorded and acted upon. This provides consistency for children and reassurance for parents. 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 the childminder was requested to develop a range of strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour in young children, have appropriate resources to support equal opportunities and information available on children's development and progress. The childminder has completed all of these requests and children enjoy a wide range of toys, equipment and activities including those to support equal opportunities which gives them a broad view of the world. Children's behaviour is well managed and parents are provided with daily updates on their child's day, behaviour and activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints received.

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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 consent is obtained from parents to seek emergency medical treatment • consider recording the visual risk assessment presently undertaken

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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