Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 550013 Inspection date 13 September 2005 Inspector Angela Dyer

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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 registered since 1987. She lives with her husband, 2 adult children and children aged 14, 9 and 2 years in a house in Kings Heath, Birmingham. The house is within walking distance of shops, parks and schools. The playroom and conservatory are used for childminding and children have access to a separate toilet and hand basin. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder works with an assistant and is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently minding six children some of whom some attend on a part-time basis.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and attends local playgroups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through their daily routines, as they are encouraged and reminded by the childminder to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Effective procedures are in place to minimise the possible spread of infections, including anti-bacterial spray being used to clean changing mats, use of disposable gloves when changing nappies and children being provided with individual towels for hand drying. The childminder's recognition of the importance of physical activity contributes to the children's good health and development. Children enjoy playing in the garden on a daily basis, where they are able to jump on the small trampoline, ride bikes and use the slide and swings. Further opportunities for children to exercise their bodies are provided in the form of dancing, walking to local schools and visiting playgroups, where they engage in music and movement sessions. Parents are kept informed of

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Helping children to be healthy

their child's health and of all accidents involving their children. Records are maintained in relation to prescribed medication, however parents do not sign the records to acknowledge that the medication has been administered. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively, as these are discussed in detail with parents; details of specific dietary needs are recorded. Children benefit from being offered a range of healthy and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks and their understanding of healthy eating is encouraged through activities including growing their own tomatoes. Children help themselves to easily accessible drinks, including water and low sugar juices, throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has a good understanding of health and safety. Potential risks to children have been identified and appropriate safety measures put in place including stair gates, safety film on glass and the removal of the first rung on the climbing frame to ensure that younger children are not able to climb on it unsupervised. Children have a mature understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with the children. She talks to them about road safety when walking to school and playgroup, the importance of picking toys up after playing with them to avoid tripping hazards and fire safety when evacuating the home in the event of an emergency. Children's independence is developed, as they are able to self-select activities from a

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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 wide range of good quality, age-appropriate toys and resources. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments on the environment and resources and ensures they are clean and safe to use. She carefully monitors and supervises the use of toys to make sure the children use them appropriately. Children are well protected because the childminder has a professional understanding of the child protection procedures, which has been enhanced by attending further training. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care and is confident about the referral process. Parents have been made aware of the procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children are extremely happy and the childminder takes time to develop warm, caring relationships with the children in her care. Children’s communication skills and vocabulary are effectively extended through high quality adult-child interactions including songs, stories and role play. Children make excellent progress because the childminder has an exceptional knowledge and understanding of child development and the children in her care. Children engage eagerly in a rich and stimulating range of activities that captivates their concentration and curiosity. Children have regular opportunities to explore living things and their environment. For example, children have planted tomatoes and are growing their own Christmas trees. They have also cared for tadpoles, whilst watching them grow and develop into frogs, before putting them back into their natural surroundings. Children engage in a wide range of interesting and creative activities including

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play-dough, painting, cornflour play and cooking. Children’s efforts and achievements are praised and valued by the childminder. Children take pride in their artwork and this is reinforced by their artwork being proudly presented on wall displays in the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are provided with encouragement and praise consistently through the day, which in turn develops their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a detailed knowledge of all the children in her care and takes pride in seeing children develop to their full potential. The childminder has a good understanding of appropriate behaviour management strategies and children are well behaved, sharing and taking turns in their play. Children are developing an awareness of the wider world and their community, as they are able to access a wide range of resources reflecting the diversity of society.

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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 The childminder also uses a resource loaning scheme to further increase the equipment available to promote equality and children celebrate a range of festivals, by making cards and gifts. There is a strong commitment from the childminder to ensuring all children are included and she works collaboratively with parents to ensure she supports and meets children's individual needs. A good partnership with parents contributes to the children's well-being. Parents know how their children are being cared for because they are given information in the form of daily discussions, photos and written consent forms. Prior to children starting parents share in how their children are cared for including sleep routines and dietary needs, so that the childminder can provide continuity of care. She also seeks

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information on children's interests and what they can do before the child starts, which helps her to nurture their individuality and monitor their progress and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is well-organised both indoors and outdoors to maximise play opportunities for children. The home is very well maintained and the playroom is a bright and welcoming room, which is attractively decorated with children's artwork and photographs. All children's information and records are maintained appropriately and regularly reviewed. Confidentiality is rigorously maintained, while ensuring that parents are well informed. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development and her ongoing commitment to developing and enhancing her practice through attending further training. On regular occasions the childminder works with an assistant, this enables children to be given individual attention and children benefit from their enthusiasm and enjoyment in providing a range of stimulating and positive play experiences. 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 ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has a good range of resources promoting equality and provides activities which encourage children to develop an awareness of the wider world.

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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

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 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 that parents sign to acknowledge that medication has been administered.

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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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