Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

227512 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Angela Dyer Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and two children aged eleven and fourteen years in Harborne, Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, some of whom attend on a part time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and well-maintained environment. Effective procedures are in place to minimise the possible spread of infections, including anti-bacterial spray being used to clean changing mats and older children being provided with individual towels for hand drying. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through their daily routines, as they are encouraged and reminded by the childminder to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively, as these are discussed in detail with parents who provide packed lunches for their children. A range of healthy and nutritious snacks are provided by the childminder in consultation with the children, including fruit and carrot sticks. Children are offered drinks at snack and meal times and are able to independently access drinks throughout the day, to ensure they remain hydrated.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a professional understanding of the required documentation in the event of administering medication or first aid. However, some of the contents of her first aid box are unsuitable for childminding purposes and therefore may compromise children's health in the event of an accident. Parents are kept informed of their child's health and of all accidents involving their children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They walk to and from school each day and the childminder encourages outdoor play both in the garden and at the local park, where they are able to play on larger apparatus and enjoy picnics in the summer. Children are able to have quiet time for sleeping or relaxing throughout the day and benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines, which ensures that their individual needs are met appropriately.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has a good understanding of health and safety. Children have a mature understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with the children. She talks to them about road safety when walking to school, the importance of picking toys up after playing with them to avoid tripping hazards and fire safety when evacuating the home in the event of an emergency. Potential risks to children have been identified and appropriate safety measures put in place including socket covers and smoke alarms, the childminder also has a fire blanket, however, this is not appropriately located.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a range of safe and developmentally appropriate resources that are easily accessible to encourage their independence. Toys with small pieces are stored on high shelves and older children who wish to play with them understand that they must do so in an area where younger

p.3

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 children cannot access. The childminder involves the children in carrying out regular checks on items of equipment used to ensure they are clean, safe and suitable for children to use.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a professional understanding of the child protection procedures. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care and is confident about the referral process. Parents have been made aware of the procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and high quality adult-child interactions are supportive of children's communication skills. Planning is very flexible as the childminder responds daily to the children’s moods and individual requests for their favourite activities and toys. Children become absorbed in their play as they are given time and space to explore the toys and resources and the childminder's gentle questioning during their play further promotes their learning and development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in a rich and stimulating range of activities and the childminder supports all activities by offering good quality resources and involving herself in their play. Children also enjoy participating in a range of creative activities including painting, sticking and collage. The childminder offers consistent praise and encouragement for children's efforts and achievements, which in turn promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a detailed knowledge of all the children in her care and takes pride in seeing children develop to their full potential. Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear and consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour. The childminder has an appropriate range of strategies in place to deal with behaviour, including distraction, praise and encouragement.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider world through accessing resources promoting equality and participating in activities and discussions about themselves and other people in their community. There is a strong commitment from the childminder to ensuring all children are included and she works collaboratively with parents to ensure she supports and meets children's individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

A good partnership with parents contributes to the children's well-being. Parents know how their children are being cared for because they are given information in the form of daily discussions. Prior to children starting parents share in how their children are cared for including sleep routines and dietary needs, so that the childminder can provide continuity of care. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. All children's information and records are maintained appropriately and regularly reviewed. Confidentiality is maintained, while ensuring that parents are well informed. The childminder evaluates, monitors and improves the quality of her care as part of an accredited quality assurance scheme.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's experience and ongoing commitment to developing and enhancing her practice through studying for a degree in early years. She is enthusiastic about the role she plays in children's lives and they benefit from her interest and enjoyment in providing a range of stimulating and positive play experiences. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain appropriate attendance records, obtain consent from parents for taking children on outings and record any significant events. She was also asked to improve safety in relation to children's understanding of the evacuation procedures and the completion of risk assessments outside. The childminder now maintains all required records, including attendance, incident and parental consents. Safety has been improved as the childminder has carried out risk assessments of all areas used, including outside, and children now have regular opportunities to practise the evacuation procedure.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • review the contents of the first aid box • ensure that the fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6