Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228382 Inspection date 17 October 2005 Inspector Paula Hunt

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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 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 registered in 1994. She lives with her three children aged 14, 12 and 9 years in a terraced house in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. There are shops, schools and a park within easy walking distance. The garden is not presently used for childminding however, the childminder has made arrangements to take children to the local park, to ensure that they have the opportunity to engage in outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five full-time and two children over five after school.

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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 The family have no pets. The childminder has an early years qualification, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is currently undertaking a local authority quality assurance scheme. She attends a local parent/carer and toddler group three times per week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder having efficient hygiene routines, which help to prevent the spread of infection. Her home is clean and tidy and she ensures work surfaces and children's equipment are cleaned regularly. Children are beginning to learn about good hygiene practices because the childminder follows hygienic routines such as wiping children's hands before and after food. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid and the following of good procedures if a child was sick or had an accident. Children know where they can access drinks and they respond to their own needs when they are thirsty. They are beginning to understand that some foods are good to eat. They enjoy eating the fruit snacks that the childminder prepares. The childminder works with the children's parents to meet the dietary needs of the children in her care. Children benefit from a satisfactory amount of exercise, improving their physical

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Helping children to be healthy

health and well being. They visit the local park and enjoy the larger toys and playspace at the toddler groups they attend. Physical activities are mostly home limited, partly because the garden is not in use at present. The younger children can rest and sleep, in line with their parent's wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe environment, they have sufficient space to move freely as they play together. All safety equipment is in place or available although, the fireguard is not secure and children can access the fire. The risk of accidental injury is minimised by the regular checking of play materials and gentle reminders to children about climbing on the furniture. Children are able to move around the home and are able to choose what they want to play with from a selection of toys. Children are able to experience travelling safely in a vehicle, the childminder provides appropriate car-seats/restraints and business insurance cover is in place. Children develop a good understanding of safety when out and about, they hold hands and stay close.

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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 Children's safety is further enhanced by the childminders understanding of child protection procedures. She is clear about her role in protecting children and knows who to contact if she has any concerns. Parents are informed about her duty to protect children at the beginning of a placement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed in the setting and have good relationships with the childminder. They benefit from a good range of interesting and stimulating toys and equipment. Children are involved in a variety of learning opportunities both inside and outside the childminders home, for example within the home they draw, complete puzzles, read books, as well as playing with all the toys and equipment available. They visit the local park for fresh air and exercise, they attend toddler groups where they learn to socialize, all of which enhances children's learning and help them to gain confidence and independence. Children enjoy each others company and form good friendships, which increases their sense of belonging. They benefit from consistent routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, all of which help the children to look forward to their day. The childminder consistently talks to children giving them praise and encouragement,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which results in the children developing good self-esteem. They are happy, confident children and clearly enjoy their time spent with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children respond well to positive praise and encouragement which is reflected in their good behaviour. They learn about boundaries and expectations through discussions with the childminder. Children play well together and learn to share and take turns. They help tidy away toys after playing, for example when they had finished crayoning they helped to tidy them away. Children are recognised as individuals and their differing needs are met well. They are valued and treated with equal concern. The childminder encourages them to learn about diversity and how to respect each other, for example they use books to talk about peoples similarities and differences and play with toys that reflect positive images of gender, culture and disabilities Children's individual needs are met through the childminder working closely with the parents. They are looked after according to parents wishes and parents are kept

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Helping children make a positive contribution

informed about the provision and the progress their child is making, through daily verbal feedback

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They show confidence within the home and freely choose the activities and resources available. There is promotion of children's welfare by the childminder's use of some written policies and practice statements. These are shared with parents and ensures they are kept up to date with their child's development and are involved and informed about the care they receive. Most records are up to date although the attendance register is not always accurately completed. Children's documentation contains the required information which enables the childminder to meet their individual care needs, which results in continuity of care for children. The childminder's commitment to training and willingness to improve her childminding

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Organisation

practice enhances children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has taken steps to improve children's enjoying and achieving by spending lots of one to one and group time with the children. This encourages children's imagination, language and intellectual development. Books are freely available to the children to access for themselves and audio music tapes are played throughout the day. Children's safety and welfare is further promoted as the childminder now shares with parents the Birmingham City Council Child Protection Procedures containing all the child protection telephone numbers. Procedures are in place to ensure easy access to all records relating to standard 14 although, these are not stored at the childminder's address and the daily attendance register is not always accurately maintained.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that all attendance records are accurate and updated daily • ensure the fire is safe and children have no access with regard to securing the fire guard.

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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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