Crow Wendy Fay

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504563 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Rebecca Brittle

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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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and adult son in Northfield, Birmingham. Children have access to the playroom, kitchen, garage and downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has a cat, fish and a rabbit. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder supports children with special needs.

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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 drives to local nurseries and schools to take and collect children. She attends two local childminding groups and takes children out to local places of interest. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification Level Three in Early Years Care and Education. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has achieved level three of the Quality First scheme. The childminder is a member of the Children Come First network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from the spread of infection because the childminder places good emphasis on hygiene routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after touching the animals. Clear procedures are in place for managing accidents and administering medication, helping to maintain children's good health. However, animal food and water bowls are accessible to children in the kitchen, which is used for access to other areas. This has the potential to put children's health at risk. Children sleep and rest according to their needs, after consultation with parents. Children's physical development is progressing well as they have regular opportunities to practise skills such as riding bikes and climbing. The childminder provides meals in accordance with children's individual needs. She provides detailed menus for parents which include information relating to which food

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Helping children to be healthy

groups the meals come from. The childminder encourages children to make healthy choices and offers fresh fruit on a daily basis. As a result, children are well nourished. Children are well hydrated because the childminder ensures they have regular drinks throughout the day. Children develop a positive attitude towards food because the childminder makes mealtimes social occasions, sitting with them and encouraging conversation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. The childminder helps children to settle by preparing the playroom in advance so children can play as soon as they arrive. The house is maintained at an appropriate temperature and children move around freely, showing they are comfortable. Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment for indoor and outside play. The childminder makes sure all resources are safe and suitable through regular checks. All resources are easily accessible to children which means they self-select. The childminder rotates equipment when children tire of it. As a result, children are well occupied. Children's safety is maintained in the childminder's house and while out on trips. The childminder places good emphasis on identifying and minimising potential hazards. For example, she regularly checks that smoke alarms are in good working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussion with the childminder and

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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 participation in regular fire drills. Children's welfare is well safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of what to do in the event of a concern about a child. However, the childminder's understanding of the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse alleged to have taken place in her care, is limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children take part in an excellent range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder plans and prepares activities in advance so children always know what they are going to do next, helping them to understand the daily routine. The childminder has a detailed understanding of child development which helps her to plan suitable activities for children. She develops topics in which children show an interest, such as learning to write their name. As a result, children are well occupied. Children form strong relationships with the childminder and each other. The childminder involves herself in their play, offering a good level of support where necessary. Children are also encouraged to develop good levels of confidence and independence, through activities such as tidying up and caring for the childminder's animals. Children have excellent opportunities to develop social skills at childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated and respected as individuals. They learn to understand their own needs and those of others, through discussion and activities such as caring for the childminder's animals. All children are given equal access to activities because the childminder undertakes an assessment of their needs, and makes adaptations to ensure their inclusion. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs, working closely with parents and other professionals to ensure their needs are well met. The childminder has a clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour, in line with a written procedure. The childminder makes sure children understand the consequences of their actions and as a result children know what is expected of them. The childminder places good emphasis on meeting the needs of all parents and children, adapting her service to ensure children benefit from a high

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Helping children make a positive contribution

level of care. Parents have access to a comprehensive portfolio of information about the service, ensuring they are fully aware of all aspects of care. Parents are kept informed of all issues relating to their child through regular discussion and information included in an individual daily diary.

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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 The childminder has high regard for the children in her care. She protects children from anyone not vetted, maintaining their safety. The childminder is committed to developing her service through further training. The childminder always has an accurate record of which children she is caring for as she maintains a detailed register. Children benefit from a good level of support as the childminder is currently caring for a maximum of two children at any one time. The childminder maintains all required documentation. All paperwork is regularly reviewed to ensure it is accurate and up to date. Confidentiality is maintained as documents are stored securely. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure hazards in the garden are minimised and to ensure resources and toys are organised so that children can make choices. The garden is now safe as all building work is complete and toys are stored at children's level which enables them to self-select. The childminder also agreed to ensure the play space is organised to promote children's development and to increase the range of resources to promote positive images of disability. The childminder organises the play space to meet children's needs by arranging furniture and resources to enable children to move freely. Children have access to a wide range of resources reflecting a positive image of disability, such as books and small world figures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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): • maintain children's good health by ensuring animal food and water bowls are

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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 inaccessible • develop knowledge of what to do in the event of an allegation of abuse alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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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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