Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY272010 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Paula Hunt

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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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her adult son in a house in Acocks Green area of Birmingham. The house is within walking distance of shops, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, together with the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for one pre-school child and three school age children on a part-time basis.

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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 There are no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, she is currently completing a quality assurance scheme and uses the advice, support and training opportunities offered by the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy a range of good overall physical activity which contributes to the children's overall good health. Every day the children benefit from outdoor activities such as, playing in the garden or cul de sac, with access to a range of varied equipment to develop gross motor skills well. For example, there is equipment to climb, a slide and the use of wheeled toys. Children also benefit from regular walks to and from school or the local park. Indoors children have freedom to move around safely and develop independence and self-confidence well. Children are nourished well. They are provided with regular meals in adequate quantities for their needs. Dietary needs are met through discussion with parents, recording, and following through their wishes. Children are able to independently access drinks throughout the day and the childminder takes into account children's

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Helping children to be healthy

choices when providing healthy snacks and meals that appeal to children. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene practices, by the childminder encouraging appropriate hand washing and talking about why hand washing is necessary. However, written agreements from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment are not in place and blanket permission is given from parents for the childminder to administering medication to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder has minimised all potential hazards in the home and she employs highly effective safety procedures when taking children out. Children know how to keep themselves safe, because the childminder has daily discussions with them about road safety. Whilst walking to and from school she teaches them how to cross roads safely. Children use a wide range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment, which helps to keep them from harm. For example the safety harnesses on the pushchair and high chair are always used for young children. Children are well protected. The childminder fully understands child protection issues and the correct procedure to follow should the need arise, thereby ensuring that children's welfare needs are met.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home due to her friendly and welcoming approach. They are very confident in their surroundings and know the routines well. They become independent and make their own decisions as they self-select resources and instigate their own play. Children remain interested with activities as the childminder participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. The children develop independently as they choose their own activities from a good range of resources. The childminder is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework as a guide to promote younger children's learning. Children’s progress is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

discussed and shared each day with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are very happy and settled and have a close and caring relationship with the childminder. Their individual needs are met well and their daily routine reflects that of home following discussion with the parents. The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour. This helps children to learn to share, take turns, and respect one another. They behave very well due to the consistent approach of both the childminder and parents. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of local interest as well as routine outings to the shops, library and local park. Sensitive discussions take place to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others however, the range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and diversity is limited. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their individual needs are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

met. She keeps them well informed daily of the activities provided, and their child's welfare through daily verbal communication, and by sending home their creative works. Some aspects of record keeping such as the complaints procedure, and written parental permission to transport children in the car are not in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and at ease with the effective, well organised environment. They are confident enough to initiate and self select their own play. They can move freely through the ground floor rooms, where they can access resources, such as books,

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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 puzzles, small world and imaginative play toys. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the care and learning of the children. They are shared with the parents to keep them well informed of the child's activities and service. This contributes well to the continuity of the child's care. The childminder is up to date with all relevant training and intends to continue developing her own skills and practice to improve the quality of care offered to the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety around the stairs and develop an emergency escape plan, obtain written permission to take children in her car , to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. She was also asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. The risks to children's safety have been minimized with the introduction of wooden boarding to the banister on the first floor landing area to protect young children should they fall and the childminder has devised and practices an emergency escape plan. The childminder has obtained written blanket permission from parents in order for her to administer medication although she is aware this is not satisfactory and is currently developing new procedures. Written Permission from parents to seek emergency

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Improvements since the last inspection

medical advice or treatment has not yet been obtained and this is reflected in the judgement for Being Healthy. Written permission to take most children in the car has been obtained, although it has not been obtained for all. This ensures that parents are aware of how their children will be transported. Children are well protected as the childminder has completed child protection training and fully understands child protection issues and the correct procedure to follow should the need arise, thereby ensuring that children's welfare needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

No complaint 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

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 quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • ensure written permission is sought from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources which promote a positive view of the wider world and diversity • ensure aspects of record keeping such as the complaints procedure, and that parental permission to transport children in the car are obtained.

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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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