Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228327 Inspection date 22 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 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 13 years and 15 years old, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time; she presently has 5 part-time children on roll. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification. She operates a collection

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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 and delivery service to the local school and regularly visits local toddler groups.

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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 hand washing before eating, before engaging in cookery activities and after outside play. They are encouraged and supported in developing skills of self-reliance with regard to personal hygiene through the equipment provided by the childminder, for example, liquid soap and individually colour coded towels. Children’s health is safeguarded through the childminder’s policies, procedures and records, which generally meet all required standards. Children’s nutritional needs are appropriately accommodated; fruit is served on a daily basis and drinks are freely available. The children are learning about healthy eating through planned activities, such as vegetable picking. They are developing an understanding of the importance of keeping active as part of a healthy life style as they practise their physical skills in the garden, the local park and other local areas

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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 well maintained. Their sense of belonging is fostered by a good range of child-centred posters and examples of their creative work. 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. The childminder is aware of possible risks to children’s safety and has taken appropriate steps to ensure the setting is safe. Most paperwork is in place and children are able to play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. The children are learning how to keep themselves safe as they participate in safety routines, such as fire evacuations and road crossing drills. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's sound 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 outstanding. Children are able to engage in an excellent and well balanced range of activities and experiences, which helps them make progress in all areas of development. They benefit from frequent learning and play opportunities outside the home, where they

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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 are given frequent opportunities to explore and investigate and to relate to others, for example, the library, shops and local toddler groups. The childminder is skilful in utilising everyday domestic routines as learning opportunities, for example, using shopping trips as an opportunity to develop the children's understanding of mathematics. Children’s language and social skills are promoted through the frequent questions asked of them by the childminder, for example, their opinions on food, past experiences and family members. She listens carefully to the children's responses, enhancing their self-confidence and self-esteem. The children’s development and learning is being further promoted through the childminder's thorough knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' and of the Foundation

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Stage, both of which she has enthusiastically incorporated into her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals and the childminder has a proactive approach to caring for children with special needs. The children are able to access a good range of activities and experiences to develop their awareness of the wider world and to promote their understanding of others. Children's self-esteem is promoted as they are praised frequently for effort and achievement. Their sense of security is promoted through consistency of care and positive behaviour management strategies. They enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and show care and concern for one another. Children’s sense of security is fostered through a sound partnership with parents, which promotes continuity of care; information is shared on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to confidently explore and investigate as a result of the creative use made of the available space. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support and a familiar daily routine. The children benefit from the additional training undertaken by the childminder, this has enabled her to develop her practice particularly with regard to learning and play. Children's welfare is generally safeguarded through the childminder's records and policies; however she is not fully aware of all circumstances requiring notification to Ofsted. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of any accidents. Children's welfare is now safeguarded as the written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is now in place. Documentation is also in place to record accidents, with space for parental signatures, however since the last inspection the childminder has not yet had occasion to use it.

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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): • extend knowledge and understanding of the National Standards, particularly with regard to circumstances requiring notification to Ofsted.

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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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