Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504698 Inspection date 02 March 2006 Inspector Rebecca Trow

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and thirteen in Northfield, Birmingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to West Heath School to take and collect children. She attends a local childminder group twice a week. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, three of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder cares for children as part of The Inclusion Scheme operated by Birmingham

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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 Childminding Association. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a dog.

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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 implements effective hygiene routines. For example, children use paper towels after washing their hands. Children's good health is maintained because the childminder has clear routines for managing and recording accidents and administering medication. However, though all medicine is given with parental consent, the childminder does not always maintain a record of non-prescribed medication given to children. Children sleep and rest according to their individual needs, maintaining their home routine. Children's physical skills develop well because they have varied opportunities to practise activities such as climbing and riding bikes. Children are well hydrated because the childminder offers them regular drinks and they have constant access to a water cooler. All meals and snacks are provided in accordance with parents' wishes and children's individual needs are catered for well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to eat a healthy balanced diet, while still offering them a choice. As a result, children are well nourished.

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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. They settle well because the childminder prepares the play area in advance, enabling children to play straight away if they want to. Children are comfortable because the childminder maintains an appropriate temperature and arranges furniture and resources to enable children to move freely. Children have access to a very good range of toys and equipment. The childminder makes sure they are safe and suitable through regular checks. Resources are stored at children's level, enabling them to self-select. As a result children are well occupied. The childminder places emphasis on maintaining children's safety and takes action to identify and minimise most potential risks. For example, there is an alarm on the front door which can be heard in the playroom, making the premises secure. However, some hazardous items are accessible to children and the playroom smoke alarm is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

not fitted to ensure maximum performance. Children learn to keep themselves safe through good road safety routines and regular fire drills. Children's welfare is well safeguarded because the childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues.

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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 participate in a good range of activities which they find enjoyable and interesting. Children are well occupied with a balance of free play opportunities and more structured activities. They often initiate their own play which is encouraged by the childminder. The childminder enables children to choose their activities and talks to them about what they are doing. Children's play experiences are enhanced as the childminder regularly takes them to different environments such as the local childminder group. Children form strong relationships with the childminder and their peers. They also have the opportunity to develop social skills as they play with other children at the childminder group. The childminder interacts well with the children, involving herself

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

in their play. She offers appropriate assistance to children while encouraging them to develop some independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated and well respected as individuals. The childminder places good emphasis on discussing children's individual needs with parents before the child starts. As a result the childminder develops a detailed understanding of the children quickly and is able to meet their needs well. Children learn to value themselves and others as they play with a wide range of resources reflecting positive images of race, gender and ability. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs and works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure their needs are well met. The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. She focuses on encouraging children and praising positive behaviour which promotes children's understanding of what is expected of them. Children learn the consequences of their actions from a very young age. For example, they know

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that if they do not share toys they have to sit on a chair for a short time. The childminder encourages a positive relationship with parents. She provides clear and detailed written information, explaining all aspects of the service she provides. The childminder makes time each day to share information with parents to ensure they are fully aware of all issues relating to their child. The childminder displays a complaints procedure for parents though she does not maintain a complaints log.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has high regard for the children in her care. She is committed to developing and improving her practice through further training. The childminder protects children from anyone unknown though not all regular visitors to her home are vetted. The childminder maintains children's safety by keeping an accurate record of their attendance. Children benefit from a good level of adult support and the childminder's well organised service.

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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 maintains most of the required paperwork. All documentation is stored securely in order to maintain confidentiality. The childminder undertakes regular reviews to ensure all paperwork is accurate and up to date. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure fire drills are recorded accurately. All fire drills are now recorded in detail, including numbers of adults and children present and evacuation time. This helps to maintain children's safety.

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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 a record of all medication given to children • ensure alcohol is inaccessible to children and that smoke alarms are maintained in good working condition • ensure all adults in regular contact with children are suitable.

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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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