Ritchie Kathleen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504672 Inspection date 07 September 2005 Inspector Kashma Patel

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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 a registered childminder for 22 years. She lives with her adult son and her partner and 7 year old daughter are there at weekends. She co-minds with another registered childminder. Minded children have access to most areas on the ground floor. Children are supervised to the toilet facilities on the first floor. Children do not have access to other rooms upstairs. There is a large garden available for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for 6 children of whom all are under 3 years, with her co-minder.

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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 childminder has a pet cat. The childminder is a member of the Birmingham Childminding Association, and has the Btech qualification in Early Childhood Studies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about hygiene and personal care through good routines established by the childminder. Children are encouraged to wash hands before food and after playing outside, some children indicate their hands are dirty by holding them up. There are good procedures in place for nappy changing which ensures children are protected from cross infection. Children are developing good balancing skills, as they have regular access to a well-equipped garden. They enjoy playing on the climbing frame, the playhouse and with wheeled toys. Children are taken for daily walks around the big garden to ensure they have fresh air during the day. Children are provided with a good range of healthy snacks and drinks which meets their dietary needs. Food is freshly prepared daily ensuring that it is healthy and nutritious. Babies are also provided with food which is age and stage appropriate to

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Helping children to be healthy

ensure their health and development is promoted. Menus are displayed to ensure parents are kept informed of the food served to their children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe in the home, as the childminder identifies and minimises risks to children, this means that children are safe inside. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys when they have taken too much out, this ensures they can move freely and independently in the playroom. Children have daily access to a well-equipped garden with a good range of equipment which promotes their physical skills. They are supervised in the garden to ensure their safety, but a small gap in the fence was observed which could hinder their safety. Children can freely access a good range of toys which meet safety standards and are age-appropriate, this ensures children are protected from harm. Children are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the Area Child Protection Committee guidance. The procedures are shared with parents to inform them of her responsibilities and to

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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 The provision is good. Children settle well with the childminders and are happy to separate from parents. They are developing good relationships with their peers and are sociable with visitors as they initiate play with them. Children are developing good levels of independence as they select toys of their choice. They enjoyed playing with the animals and looking at books with the childminder. Children are developing their imagination through musical activities such has dancing and singing, they also enjoy messy activities such has sand, paint and dough. Children have daily opportunities to access the garden where there is good a range of equipment which promotes their learning. Children are learning to share toys and can make connections, they are aware that the jungle mat goes with the animals. Children are beginning to understand between

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

right and wrong, a child was getting under the table and another child said "no" to the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met by regular discussions with parents. There is a good range of toys and equipment which promotes race, culture, gender and disability. Children were observed playing with play people and wheelchairs and putting them in the bus. Children with special needs are accommodated and the childminder ensures that they take part in all activities. Children are beginning to learn how to manage their own behaviour, the childminder ensures that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with using an explanation and offers lots of praise to children when they play well together. Children's welfare is promoted through good partnership with parents. Children's routines are discussed with parents daily to ensure their needs are met. Daily verbal feedback is exchanged when children are delivered and collected to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are relaxed and happy in their environment. This encourages children to initiate their own play. Children have sufficient space both inside and outside the home which enables them to move independently and safely. Children are taken into other rooms in small groups for stories, this promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminders work well together to meet the needs of the children, they share information with parents to keep them well informed about their service and their child's activities. This enables children to make good progress in all areas of their

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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 development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked improve children's access to toys, to make the garden safe from hazards and poisonous plants, to provide food and snacks which was appropriate for children's age and stage of their development including dietary and cultural requirements, to develop strategies for behaviour management and to obtain information on child protection procedures. Since the last inspection the childminder has made good access to toys and equipment which encourages children to be independent. The garden is now safe for children to play and all hazards have been removed. All meals are freshly prepared in accordance with parents' wishes and meet children's individual dietary requirements. A behaviour management policy is now in place which promotes positive behaviour and the policy is shared with parents. The childminder is now familiar with child protection issues and has obtained a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee

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Improvements since the last inspection

guidance. The children's well-being is promoted due to the childminder completing previous actions and recommendations.

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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): • ensure children are kept safe whilst in the garden.

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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:

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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 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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