Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228395 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Lucy Showell

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and their children aged 13 and 11, in Great Barr, Birmingham. The whole ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local toddler group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s care is fostered through individual care routines. They enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle and benefit from good physical activity through regular walks to parks and shops. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and meals are planned around children’s individual dietary and health requirements. Children are well nourished through fresh home cooked meals and snacks and learn about the benefits of healthy living through eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children’s care is promoted effectively through thorough documentation in place. They benefit through a clean, spacious environment and stay healthy because the childminder has effective hygiene procedures. For example, good food hygiene and nappy changing routines are observed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s welfare is effectively promoted through the childminder’s strong knowledge and pro-active skills with regard to safety. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. For example, valuable safety equipment is in place including safety gates and easily accessible fire blanket and first aid box. Children’s safety on outings is promoted through gaining parental permission before use of transport and outings. Children’s safety is promoted well through effective documentation including an informative child protection policy, written fire assessment and local Area Child Protection Committee forms completed by parents. Children are protected from harm through the childminder’s confident knowledge of child protection procedures. For example, scenario questions are answered in detail to include possible signs and symptoms and the importance of recording.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about their own and others safety through gentle reminders and appropriate spaces to play. They have safe access to a good range of toys and equipment which are suitable for their age and developmental stage and comply with British Safety Standards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s enjoyment and achievements at the setting are evidenced through the documentation in place including photos of children’s experiences. However, children’s learning is not fully promoted because the childminder has not yet attended the `Birth to three matters’ training.

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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 Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through plenty of praise, encouragement and affection. Their individual needs are met through planning activities to combine with routines of sleep and meals and play is promoted well through the rotation of the good variety of toys and equipment and through use of the toy library to extend opportunities. Children interact well with the childminder. For example, a young child enjoys one to one activities with good eye contact and plenty of cuddles. Children learn to build relationships with each other during spontaneous play experiences and good interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s sense of belonging is developed well through the welcoming and child friendly environment. In the play room, brightly coloured posters and pictures are displayed on the walls and storage invites children to freely access toys. Children demonstrate positive self-esteem and have developing respect for others. They receive plenty of support and encouragement during activities and respond with enthusiasm, and their individual needs are promoted through the good range of toys and opportunities. Children have an age appropriate understanding of acceptable behaviour and learn about house rules and respect for others during play. They engage in activities along side others and show some good awareness of each other and their surroundings. Children’s awareness and understanding of the diverse community is developing through use of resources borrowed from the local toy library. For example, children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

complete simple jigsaws that promote positive images and prompt appropriate discussion. Children’s continuity of care is effectively promoted through the useful documentation in place including a well written portfolio including information about the setting and childminder’s valuable experiences throughout her childminding career. Children’s care is promoted well through the childminder’s strong relationships with the parents, evidenced through letters and cards with positive comments about the childminder and her care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children at the setting. They benefit through the good use of well-organised space and enjoy free, age appropriate access to a good range of resources. Children’s individual needs are met through planned activities that take into consideration the children’s routines with regard to sleep and nutrition. Children’s continuity of care is promoted well through the childminder’s professional

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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 relationships with parents. For example, information is shared, views and opinions are valued and requirements adhered to. Children’s welfare is actively promoted through the childminder’s policies and procedures, which work well in practice, to ensure children’s health and safety is promoted effectively. Children’s care is promoted through the effective documentation in place that is completed correctly and is well maintained. However, the registration certificate is not clearly displayed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At previous inspection the childminder was given two recommendations. To ensure departure and arrival times are recorded and to provide resources, which reflect positive imagery of people with disabilities. The register is completed correctly and is up to date and children’s awareness of disability is promoted through use of additional resources.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • improve learning opportunities for children through use of the `Birth to three matters' guidance • display the registration certificate.

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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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