Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228453 Inspection date 06 October 2005 Inspector Adelaide Griffiths

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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 has been minding since 1993. She lives with her husband, one adult and one teenage child in South Birmingham. They live within walking distance of schools, nurseries, playgroups, a library, shops and a park. All of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is currently minding three children under five all day, one child under five after school and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local playgroup weekly. The

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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 family has a dog. The childminder holds a qualification in Child Care and Education at level three. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are clearly gaining understanding of healthy eating. They have a choice of toast and cereals for breakfast and cooked meals with a selection of vegetables during the day. Children's individual dietary needs and preferences are met, for example, with vegetarian meals, pasta dishes and pudding with fruit. They are encouraged to have healthy biscuits for snacks and freely access drinks of squash, blackcurrant, milk or water. For babies parents supply meals, pudding and milk. Children are effectively learning about healthy eating due to the range of foods provided. Children are gaining good understanding about hygiene issues. They are reminded to wash hands after use of toilet and before meals. The childminder cleans changing mats with wipes following each nappy change to minimise cross infection. The kitchen floor is mopped daily with disinfectant. Although the dog's basket and bowl

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Helping children to be healthy

are kept in the kitchen children do not access these. Effective measures are in place to maintain children's personal hygiene. There are good arrangements in place to protect children's health. The childminder has written consent for medication and medical emergency treatment. Records relating to the administration of medication and accidents are consistently and accurately maintained. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a first aid box is safely stored. An exclusion policy is in place for infectious illness and the childminder is aware of informing Ofsted of communicable diseases. The childminder has agreed arrangements for contacting parents if children are unwell. Children are protected against illness in relation to the dog due to yearly vaccinations. However, the last one is now overdue. Owing to good procedures children's health is effectively protected. Children benefit from ample space for regular exercise. Babies can crawl and pull up

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Helping children to be healthy

to stand and young children walk around freely. They frequently walk to playgroup or park and have opportunities to play outside in the garden. Children have quiet time or sleep periods in keeping with routines at home. They have opportunities for active play and rest periods to provide balance in regard to their physical development.

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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 secure and safe environment. The premises are light and centrally heated with good temperature control. Doors are kept locked with keys

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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 within easy reach in the event of emergencies. Outside, the garden is fully enclosed and secure. A good range of safety measures including safety gates, socket covers and a fireguard is in place. A fire blanket is mounted and several smoke alarms are installed. Children are effectively learning about fire safety when they participate in fire drills at least twice yearly. Fire exits are free from obstruction and a fire policy is in place. Toys bought from reputable suppliers are checked regularly to ensure that they remain in a good state of repair. Outdoors, a spacious, paved area is available for children's play. Drains are covered and plants have been checked. Competent arrangements are in place to ensure children's security and safety. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded with procedures. Parents are informed

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of the childminder's responsibility to ensure that children are protected at all times and provided with written information in the form of a policy. The childminder is aware of procedures in regard to allegations against members of the family. Child protection guidelines and Social Services numbers are displayed on a board. Significant procedures are in place to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide range of resources to provide activities that promote their development. A good range of soft and musical toys are available to provide sensory stimulation for babies. For younger children an interesting selection of durable small world toys are provided to stimulate imaginative play. Older children enjoy board games and occasional play with resources brought in from home. Push-along trolleys and pushchair are available to encourage coordination and balance for toddlers. A wide selection of jigsaws, books and dolls are included to promote equality of opportunity and quiet activities for all age groups. In order to provide more variety the childminder supplements resources with loans of books and toys from the library and resource centre. Children benefit from an interesting range of toys and resources that promotes their development. Outside, there is a good selection of large play equipment. Children have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities to develop spatial awareness whilst riding round on bikes, tractors, scooters and in bubble cars. Slides and seesaws help children to develop balance and coordination. In the park children can play on slides and a climbing frame. Children play with a good range of equipment that promotes large muscle development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a child-friendly environment where they feel secure. The childminder interacts constantly with children. She talks and laughs with them, waits for responses and gives frequent hugs. Children are highly valued as individuals. The childminder agrees aspects of care including a daily routine and gives due consideration to individual needs and children's preferences. Children are learning

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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 about self-reliance by taking themselves to toilet. They freely access toys which are set out for play. Older children can bring play resources which they are encouraged to share with others. Children are cared for in an environment that promotes their sense of security and self-concept. The childminder is well informed of cultural issues and celebrates festivals for all children. They are learning about the wider community at playgroup where they interact with others. During the holidays children have opportunities to attend entertainment venues and places of interest such as Sea Life Centre and Stratford, with parental permission. Currently the childminder does not support children with special needs but is willing to do so in agreement with parents and after taking into

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consideration the effects on other minded children. A range of resources including jigsaws, toys and books are provided to raise children's awareness of special needs issues. They are benefiting from interesting experiences that promote their understanding of the wider community and diversity. Children are consistently well behaved. They are made aware of boundaries and a policy is agreed with parents. The childminder offers praise constantly and uses distraction for younger children if behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder encourages children to develop respect for others by observing etiquettes of behaviour. Children respond positively to requests and instructions. They are effectively learning boundaries of behaviour. There is a good working relationship with parents based on trust and friendliness. The childminder offers a settling in period of a few weeks to ensure that children and parents are comfortable with her service. Daily information is shared verbally or in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

written form. A range of policies are in place to support working with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is good organisation for the care of children with well-established routines. Space is managed effectively for play and activities. The childminder takes an interest in updating knowledge to ensure that good practice is maintained by attending available courses. A broad range of policies are in place to support working with parents. All documents are consistently maintained although parental signatures are not included on the daily attendance register. All sensitive documentation is securely stored. The childminder is well-informed about procedures for the updating and retention of records. Ofsted is informed of significant changes. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop understanding of child protection procedures. A child protection policy is in place and the childminder is well-informed of guidelines and procedures. Children's welfare is effectively

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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 safeguarded. At last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission to smoke in the presence of children. There is a no smoking policy in place to protect children's health. At last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that adequate space is provided for minded children. Two ground floor rooms are in use to provide good space for all children.

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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): • review and improve routines for pet care to ensure children are protected from infection • ensure the attendance register is maintained.

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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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