Childminder in SolihullOfsted inspection, 10 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY103307 Inspection date 10 November 2005 Inspector Myra Lewis

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and son aged 13 years. They live in the residential area of Shirley, near Solihull. There are local shops and bus routes within a short walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat, rabbit and hamster. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under 8 and currently has 14

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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 children on roll. She walks to and from local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer/toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is working towards a relevant child care qualification. She 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 and friendly environment. Children learn about health and hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. They are learning the importance of hand washing before eating or after going to the toilet to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their respective needs. Children enjoy lots of physical activities both inside and outside the home which helps develop their physical skills. As the children either walk or ride in the pushchair to and from school or to local activities, they regularly benefit from plenty of fresh air and have good opportunities to observe and learn about their local environment. The children are well cared for in the event of illness as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place, however prior written permission from parents to administer medicines is not always obtained. Therefore children's medicine records

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Helping children to be healthy

are not accurately recorded. Children's meals are provided by their parents and take account of their individual dietary requirements and preferences. Children develop their independence as they feed themselves at mealtimes, they sit at the table and enjoy the social interaction with others. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and have regular access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder is aware of the children's individual dietary requirements and helps develops their awareness of healthy lifestyles through planned activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around safely and with confidence as space is organised effectively. Toys are easily accessible, children learn to make independent choices about their play activities and help tidy away toys after use. Children are familiar with the boundaries in place to keep them safe. Where children of differing ages and abilities are attending the childminder is aware of the need to provide appropriate levels of supervision. Children are provided with a good range of age appropriate toys and resources that the childminder ensures are safe. The childminder plans activities on a monthly basis to ensure that resources are safe and suitable for the age of children attending.

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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 protected by the childminder who has taken action to identify and minimise hazards within the home. For example the childminder always checks the garden is safe before children can play outside. She uses discussion with the children to teach them about keeping safe. For example, the children practice evacuation procedures to ensure they understand what they need to do in the event of a fire. The childminder has an understanding of her child protection responsibilities, although her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures need to be updated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and settled in their environment. They enjoy a wide range of activities and play opportunities and are actively encouraged to make independent choices about their play and learning. Children's development is well supported because the childminder knows the children very well and is aware of their individual needs. She plans activities on a monthly basis and has attended training in order to extend her knowledge of child development. Children respond well to the childminders kind and caring manner, as she spends her time talking to the children and listening to what they have to say to support their play effectively. Children are confident, they ask questions and respond to challenges, for example the childminder encourages young children to build a tower of bricks and count how many. Children enjoy activities outside the home on a regular basis, this

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

allows them to socialise with other children and experience a wider range of play experiences. The flexible daily routine is organised to ensure the needs of children are being met; toys and resources are changed and varied to ensure children are well occupied and interested in what they are doing. Children are learning to share and take turns and play together, this helps children to develop a caring attitude to others. They respond well to praise and encouragement which promotes positive behaviour and their understanding of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs met, therefore children are happy and secure in their environment. Children are valued and respected as individuals and have equal access to all activities, supported by a good range of positive image resources that help them learn about the wider world. For example figures provide positive images of different abilities and planned activities encourage children to learn about other cultures. Children's specific needs are well supported by the childminder, who in consultation

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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 with parents is active in meeting their needs. Children are encouraged to share their own experiences with others and learn to show consideration for others. Clear, consistent boundaries encourage children to begin to learn the difference between right and wrong. The childminder uses effective strategies to manage children's behaviour by reinforcing the house rules when children forget. Therefore children develop a clear understanding of what is acceptable and are offered praise and encouragement for positive behaviour. For example children collect reward stamps in their own books with a written explanation to show their parents. Partnership with parents is open and friendly, the childminder ensures children's individual needs are discussed with parents and there is a regular exchange of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information between them, so that they are kept fully informed about their children's day and that children's individual needs are met effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from well established routines that meet their individual needs. They are well supported by the childminder, who makes good use of her home, the garden and the local community. All aspects of children's individual needs are discussed with parents to promote their overall well being and appropriate records are in place. The childminder is committed to further training to improve her skills to ensure children are able to develop to their full potential. She has well organised daily routines that cater for a wide range of ages including children over eight years, therefore space is organised effectively to ensure all children can play safely. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken account of the two recommendations made to extend the range of resources that reflect positive images available for children and to ensure the garden is safe at all times. The childminder now makes use of the local toy library to access resources that positively reflect diversity and has extended her range of books. She is aware of promoting positive images when buying new toys. The childminder ensures the garden is checked before children go out to play. She records what action she has taken.

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Complaints 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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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 written permission is obtained from parents before administering medicines to children • further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and ensure incidents are recorded.

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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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