Savage Joanna Kathleen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228266 Inspection date 22 July 2005 Inspector Samantha Jayne Taylor

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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 1986. She works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and adult son in Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield. The whole of the ground floor, except for the front room which is registered for sleeping infants only, 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 8 children on roll aged 4 years, 3 years, 2 years and 1 year old. The admissions policy allows for children aged over 8 years to attend. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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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 holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Early Years. She attends a parent and toddler group on a regular basis and she operates a collection and delivery service to a local school and nursery. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and supports newly registered minders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from learning the importance of good hygiene; they are actively encouraged to develop good self-care skills which are incorporated into daily routines. This assists children in developing their independence. Children are confident and familiar within their surroundings, a comfortable and clean environment. The childminder's knowledge of food hygiene and good practice ensures that systems are in place which minimises the risk of cross infection. Children's individual dietary needs are met with home prepared nutritional meals provided; likes and dislikes are considered whilst encouraging a good range of food types. Individual cups for drinks are always available and easily accessible, encouraging children's overall independence. Daily opportunities of outdoor play allow children to access different experiences of play which increases both their physical and social skills, through trips to the park,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a child friendly environment within a designated playroom. All facilities are on the ground floor level which enables good supervision of children and makes children feel secure. Equipment and resources are accessible which encourages children's independence skills. The childminder pays attention to safety which means that risks to children are minimised. Fire procedures are practised, with children encouraged to think about the safety of themselves and others so as to ensure overall safety. The childminder maintains documentation to support transportation of children, including written permission from the parents and car insurance. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities when working within child protection procedures.

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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 The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and interested in activities that are provided, for example arts and crafts. They are confident and relate well both to one another, to the childminder and to her family whom they involve in their play. Children develop independence skills by accessing readily available toys and resources of their choice. They participate in a broad range of activities, which relate to their age and stage of development; the childminder is knowledgeable of individual interests. Children's social skills and language development are promoted by the childminder's appropriate questioning, interest and introduction of new words and experiences. The childminder encourages children to interact by providing them with challenging situations and relates experiences to home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular access to creative and messy play, their work is attractively displayed, for example as a mural in the play room. This helps in developing children's positive self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A good range of toys and resources is provided which enables children to access positive images of equality. The childminder provides opportunities which increase children's knowledge and understanding of the world by learning about religion and cultures, for example through use of books. The childminder provides consistency of care by discussing with parents at induction the individual child's health, likes and dislikes, the daily routine and by providing regular feedback. Children have a clear understanding of the boundaries within the home and respond well to each other and to the childminder. They generally behave well, but one strategy adopted by the childminder does not always support children's positive self-esteem. However, the childminder has requested additional support in order to support children who are learning to behave, which means that children benefit, for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example they learn to take turns and show concern for others.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's knowledge of child development and commitment to ongoing training assists in the promotion of children's overall development. Children are able to move around freely and explore their surroundings; the organisation of space is good which ensures children are well supervised at all times. Children benefit from being cared for in a child-orientated playroom where there is easy access to a secured outdoor play area. The environment is bright and welcoming and enhances children's physical development.

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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 Secure procedure for vetting individuals by the childminder ensures that children are protected. Most documentation is maintained including detailed attendance records. Whilst documentation is stored in a confidential and appropriate manner, consideration is not always given to maintaining confidentiality when completing incident records, which means that children's information is shared with other parents. Contracts are incomplete. As a result, not all parents are fully informed to enhance consistency of care. The home is well organised to meet the children's needs, to develop their independence and confidence. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder should improve positive imagery resources and the safety of the garden area. The childminder has made improvements which promote children's outcome for positive contribution, for example children access a range of resources which reflect positive images including dolls and figurines; there is a good selection of books. The garden is secure so that children can play safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there has been one complaint. A concern was raised about the childminder looking after too many children and leaving the children with unsuitable persons. These concerns relate to National Standard 1: Suitable Person and National Standard 2: Organisation. We asked the childminder to provide evidence of registered assistants and provide details of the children cared for and report back to Ofsted within 10 working days. Ofsted is satisfied that the registered person has taken appropriate steps to address the concern, and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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):

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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 • improve knowledge of behaviour management strategies. • ensure contracts are complete and that confidentiality is maintained when completing incident records.

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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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