Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338002 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2007 Inspection date Samantha Jayne Taylor 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 2006. She lives with her husband. There are three children aged five, seven and 11-years-old in the household. They live in Great Barr, Birmingham. The through-lounge and first floor children's bedrooms are used for childminding together with a first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll aged two, three, four and six years who attend on a part-time basis. The admissions policy allows children over the age of eight years to attend. There is also one child aged nine years on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes children's good health through maintaining a clean environment. This also helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. She is knowledgeable of communicable illnesses and the procedure to follow in the event of any such occurrence. Children develop

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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 their self-help skills as they are, for example, encouraged to wash their hands before meals and following playing in the garden. They are beginning to learn about some aspects of hygiene through example, discussion and routine activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has systems in place for medication and accident procedures. However, she does not seek written parental consent for emergency medical treatment nor does she hold detailed records of children's long term medication. As a consequence, full choices are not available to support children's health needs as full written information is not readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents regarding arrangements for meals, which are mostly provided by the childminder. A selection of fruits, yoghurts and vegetables are readily available for snacks. This helps to meet children's individual dietary needs and children's likes and dislikes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to develop physical skills indoors and outdoors. They readily access the garden area where they play on scooters and learn to pedal bicycles. Children enjoy outings to the local park. These activities help children to develop large motor skills whilst exercising and they benefit from the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder into a 'family environment'. Young children who are being inducted to the setting are comforted by the caring childminder. Furthermore, the childminder has systems in place to reassure both parents and children. For example, with parental consent the childminder makes telephone contact to the parents where children can listen to or have a short conversation with their parents shortly after they have left the setting. Children are excited to hear their parents voice and as a consequence positive relationships are established between the setting and home. This helps children to develop a sense of belonging and they settle well in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources, which are set out at different levels, invite children to explore. For example, there are floor activities where young children choose items, such as soft toys to play with whilst older children enjoy accessing the computer. Equipment is maintained, mostly accessible and is in good condition. This helps to meet the differing needs and interests of the children. This means children have the opportunity to develop good self-help skills as they exercise free choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire drills are regularly practised and older children are encouraged to understand aspects of their own safety. Whilst the childminder undertakes risk assessments indoors and outdoors, this area is incomplete as not all risks are identified indoors. For example, trailing wires, low-level glass, uncovered meter and vehicle documents incomplete. Therefore children's safety is potentially compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse and neglect as the childminder has good knowledge of signs and symptoms and of reporting procedures. The childminder has full written information to share with parents to safeguard children's welfare. She documents existing injuries from home and shares the record with parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Photographic evidence helps children to recall fun experiences and activities enjoyed, such as outings to the park. This encourages continuity of care between the setting and home and also helps to progress children's all round development. Children are motivated to learn through the wide range of experiences and opportunities provided. Younger children enjoy listening to music and singing songs with the childminder. The childminder uses a children's tape cassette for children to listen to their own voices. This fun activity builds upon children's confidence and helps to encourage their language development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is enthusiastic in her work and spends time planning fun activities to complete with the children. She plays with children, sitting at their level to play and shows interest in their games. Younger children snuggle up to the childminder to listen to music and they laugh in excitement and anticipation as they wait for the music to be played. As a result, children's learning is enhanced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to make choices as they are encouraged to choose from a selection of craft resources for creative activities. Their self-reliance is encouraged to develop as they are able to access most toys and equipment freely and independently. Children’s language and social skills are well promoted throughout the day as the childminder spends time talking to children during routine and play activities. She interacts well with children and pays attention to what they say. As a consequence, children feel valued and are confident within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of ethnicity and gender. For example, there are different costumes for children to dress up in. This helps them to develop a positive attitude to others and build good self-esteem. Their understanding is encouraged through use of books, toys, photographs and discussion. However, there are few disability resources of positive imagery to extend children's learning or understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are made aware at induction of reasonable expectations for children's behaviour. The childminder is a positive role-model to children, as she spends time sitting playing with them and giving words of encouragement and praise. This helps to enhance children's positive self-esteem and encourages children to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are encouraged to share their views through informal discussion with the childminder and a home communication book. There is a comprehensive written complaints procedure. As a result, parents are reassured and children are confident within the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's knowledge of individual children, together with the care and attention she offers helps children to progress their development. She has effective organisational skills, where the children are her first priority. She is motivated to learn and is keen to share her experiences.

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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 Children benefit from the well planned use of space, which is creatively organised to accommodate a variety of activities and experiences indoors and outdoors. They are well-supervised so that they can mostly move freely and safely around the premises.

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Organisation

Documentation is mostly accurate and maintained to effectively promote children's welfare. The childminder has spent a lot of time and effort in organising individual records of young children's learning, to share with parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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): • ensure risk assessments are complete with particular reference to trailing wires; the meter within the porch area; low-level glass and vehicle documentation. • obtain written parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment and improve documentation for recording children's long term medication • improve positive imagery resources of disability.

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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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