Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228356 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Janet Ashcroft

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 11 and 14 years old, in Birmingham, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat, to which minded children have supervised access. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time; she is presently caring for 7 children 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 operates a collection and delivery service to local schools and nurseries and regularly visits toddler and pre-school groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene routines through the childminder's good practice, for example children routinely hand wash before eating and after outside play. Children are encouraged and supported in developing skills of self-reliance with regard to personal hygiene through an attractive range of equipment provided by the childminder, for example, liquid soap and fresh clean hand towels, which the children place in the washing basket after every use. Children are given frequent opportunities to exercise outdoors, for example, the garden is used extensively in the summer and there is a good range of toys and equipment which encourages the children to practise and develop their physical skills. Children’s nutritional needs are accommodated well, with individual requirements competently met; children are offered fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move independently around the setting, which is clean and very well maintained; their sense of belonging is fostered by displays of their creative work and the use of personal equipment. Children benefit from access to and the use of an extensive range of toys, equipment and furniture which is kept in a good, clean and safe condition and which promotes all areas of development. Children are able to play, eat and sleep in extremely safe and healthy premises as the childminder is aware of all possible risks to children’s safety and has taken good steps to ensure hazards are removed. Children are actively learning how to keep themselves safe, for example they regularly participate in fire evacuations and road crossing drills. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's detailed knowledge of abuse and neglect and of reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are able to engage in a broad and balanced range of activities which helps them make progress in all areas of development. They benefit from regular learning

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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 and play opportunities outside the home, where they are given opportunities to explore and investigate and to relate to others, for example the local park and toddler group. Children are learning to make choices and become independent as their toys and equipment are freely accessible. Their skills of decision making are further enhanced as they regularly participate in visits to the local library to select new books and to the toy library to choose new resources. Children’s language and social skills are promoted through the frequent questions asked of them by the childminder, for example, about choice of activity and family members. Their confidence and self-esteem is enhanced as she listens carefully to their responses. The children are encouraged to discuss their observations and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences during the daily trip to and from school, which is walked whenever possible, and the childminder is skilful in using such everyday routines as learning opportunities. The childminder has some knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however she has yet to implement it within her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals, with their particular needs considered and the childminder has a proactive approach to caring for children with special needs. Children are able to experience a good range of equipment and activities to promote their awareness of the wider world and to develop their understanding of others. Children benefit from the consistency of care which has developed as a result of the strong partnership with parents and information is exchanged in a variety of ways and on a daily basis. Children behave appropriately and show care and concern for one another. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management and the children respond well to frequent gentle reminders of the goals and boundaries of the setting. Their self-esteem is raised by the praise they received frequently from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are able to explore and investigate as a result of the well organised use of space, which has been planned to enable them to participate in a variety of stimulating activities. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support and a familiar daily routine. The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to maintaining and developing her practice. Their welfare is safeguarded through the childminder’s policies, procedures and records, which are well maintained and detailed and which

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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 meet all required standards. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure that procedures be put in place to record parental signatures after administration of medication. The children's welfare is now safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate recording documentation in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • enhance children's learning by developing an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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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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