Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270977 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Karen Cooper 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 2004. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham. The whole of the ground floor and front master bedroom is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under the age of five. All of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, two cats, a snake, a bird and two geckos’.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm clean home where they are taught the importance of personal care, for example, washing their hands after toileting and before eating. The children are

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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 appropriately cared for in the event of illness with a verbal policy by which parents agree that children will not be cared for when they have an infectious illness. However, children's welfare is not fully protected because written permission to seek emergency treatment is not obtained from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted because the childminder ensures that they receive a range of wholesome and nutritious meals and snacks, including hot and cold food and variety of fresh fruit. Information about meal choices is verbally shared with parents. Water and juice and is freely accessible. The childminder discusses children's dietary needs with parents and takes account of their wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical play as they use a bouncy castle, push a longs, wheeled toys and climbing equipment, all of which help to develop their physical skills. Easy access to the garden ensures that the children receive plenty of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a warm and comfortable home where space is organised to allow them to move around freely and independently. There are good arrangements for eating, sleeping and active play. The children have access to a range of quality toys, furniture and equipment which ensures that their needs are well met. Furniture and toys are clean, kept in good condition and are safety checked prior to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where their needs are given priority. They can move around the house and garden in safety as they are well protected from hazards by the secure measures which have been put in place. Children are within sight, or close enough that they can be heard by the childminder at all times, including when playing in the garden. However, the public liability insurance and car insurance certificates were not available for inspection therefore, children’s welfare is not fully protected. Appropriate safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending including safety gates, fire guard and socket covers. Children learn about fire safety, they know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency and know where to go to stay safe. Appropriate fire equipment such as smoke detectors are provided and are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order. Effective procures are in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place to ensure children are safe when on outings. The childminder takes appropriate information with her including parent’s contact numbers in the case of an emergency. However, written permission for their children to be transported in a vehicle is not obtained, as a consequence children’s safety is being compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's appropriate knowledge of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. She is aware of signs and symptoms of possible abuse and knows the appropriate procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well-settled, happy and confident to initiate their own play. They use a variety of toys and resources that encourage them to make progress in their development. Children are valued and the childminder encourages them to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support and encouragement.

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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 Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home and become involved for extended periods of time using programmable toys, cars and the garage and looking at alphabet books. They are enthusiastic about their play and are confident in their interaction with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are cared for as individuals with different needs and the childminder ensures that they are provided with activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys are rotated on a regular basis to ensure that the needs of the children are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued, respected as individuals and have equal access to a varied range of resources and activities which help them to make progress in their development. However, resources are limited to ensure children develop a positive attitude towards diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play happily and are confident, sociable and secure. They respond positively to the childminder who ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved, share, take turns and show consideration for each other. This is because the childminder has consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour and helps children to develop appropriate social skills and friendships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parent’s wishes are respected and the childminder talks to them on a daily basis to ensure children benefit from a two way sharing of information. This helps ensure children are settled and secure. However, parents have not been requested to complete a written agreement which sets out the expectations of both parties to ensure the care of the children is not compromised.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease and settled in the childminder's care. They receive consistency of care as a result of the childminder’s effective partnership with their parents. They participate fully in activities because space and resources are organised effectively to enable them to play and rest in a safe and suitable environment. They use the ground floor of the premises to enjoy a variety of spontaneous activities and daily routines are flexible to meet their needs, which help the children to feel at home. Toys are rotated on a regular basis to ensure children remain interested and stimulated.

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Organisation

Children's individual needs are met appropriately through admission information and verbal communication with parents. Children's records and documentation that is required for the safe and effective management of the provision is regularly reviewed and appropriately stored to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. The childminder was asked to ensure children's attendance records are kept up to date and obtain written permission from parents prior to administering medication to children. The childminder has made good improvement in both area as all minded children's attendance is recorded and shared with parents and written permission to administer medication is obtained from parents at registration.

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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 the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 written permission from parents for seeking emergency treatment • ensure current public liability and car insurance is maintained • obtain written permission from parents for taking children in a vehicle • develop children's knowledge and understanding of diversity, for example, by increasing resources that reflect positive images 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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