Oseman Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY232909 Inspection date 08 December 2005 Inspector Teresa Marie 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her family in a semi-detached house in the Hall Green area of Birmingham. 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 a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for five children of which three are under five. Children attend on both a full time and part time basis. Children can be taken to and, collected from local groups and schools. The family have tropical fish.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There are good standards of hygiene within the house and children are provided with individual wipes, flannels and towels, ensuring their general good health. The childminder has completed a first aid course and has an appropriately stocked first aid kit ensuring she is able to respond appropriately to any accidents children might have. Children enjoy access to a range of indoor and outdoor toys and activities which contribute to their physical development and independence. The childminder's understanding of the physical needs of young children enables her to provide suitable and appropriate activities to support children's development. The childminder has undertaken 'Birth to three matters' training and plans to implement this when she has finished her present training course. Children's individual feeding and sleeping routines are agreed with parents and supported by the childminder enabling children to rest or sleep when they are tired.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can help themselves to drinks which are placed so as to be easily accessible to them. Parents supply food for the majority of children and all formula and food for the baby and, this is prepared as agreed with the parents. The childminder provides snacks for all children and meals for the one child. She has undertaken training in nutrition and special diets and ensures meals and snacks meet the children's religious, cultural and dietary needs. A sample menu is provided for parents.

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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 warm, welcoming and child-centred home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they can move around freely, safely and independently. There are good routines in place to ensure children's health and general welfare and, all safety equipment is in place and regularly checked. Children choose their own activities from a wide range of toys and equipment that the childminder ensures are safe, in good condition and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. A visual risk assessment is carried out daily and formal checks on toys, equipment and safety items are recorded. This ensures that children are safe and well protected. The childminder has all of the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder has clear plans for fire evacuation and these are shared

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and practised with the children. Outings are planned to ensure the children's safety. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has developed a folder of information which is shared with parents.

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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 good. Children settle well at the childminder's house and their emotional well-being is fostered well. The childminder displays her knowledge and understanding of children's development with careful and consistent management. This enables children to develop appropriate strategies for sharing and playing together. To further develop experiences for the children they attend activities outside of the home, for example, parent and toddler groups and 'Lets get Physical'. The childminder encourages the children to develop their independence and self-esteem. She responds well to children's requests for interactive play, attention or changes of toys. The childminder regularly changes toys and equipment, for the youngest children, in order to keep them interested and stimulated. The appropriate storage of equipment allows children to safely access all toys and equipment. The childminder has developed an activity board which displays photographs of the children doing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

various activities. This is placed in the hall for all the parents and children to see. A sample activity list is available for parents to ensure they are aware of the range of activities their children are involved in. Parents are also invited to attend groups with the childminder and the children so they can see what the children do when they are out of the house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made very welcome and their behaviour is good. The childminder sets consistent boundaries which helps the children learn to co-operate, share and begin to take responsibility for their actions. The childminder discusses behaviour issues with parents and follows through any plan agreed with the parents. This ensures consistency is maintained for the children. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routines, as discussed and agreed with parents. There are good partnerships with parents which contribute significantly to children's well-being. Parents are provided with daily conversations about children's activities ensuring they are aware of their child's day and reassured about their care but, not all verbal agreements with parents have been recorded. The childminder also provides a communication book for parents of children up to two and a half years old. Children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

independence is encouraged enabling them to develop a sense of self-esteem and belonging. The childminder is aware of individual needs and ensures these are met enabling children to develop at their own rate. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and special needs and provides toys and equipment and discusses festivals from around the world. There is an extensive portfolio of information and policies for parents ensuring they are fully informed of how the childminder operates and the activities their children are offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming and child-centred environment. They have good access to resources and are provided with a wide range of experiences which keep them motivated and interested in what is available. Children are taken to local groups and places of interest which gives them wide range of experiences and opportunities. Space is well organised enabling the children to move freely as their play develops and they become more confident in accessing toys and equipment for themselves and requesting attention. Children's safety is given a high priority and no workmen or unexpected visitors are given access to the house during minding hours. All documentation and daily activities are shared with parents and this help parents gain a good insight into the type of service provided for their children. Agreements with parents are not all recorded but are acted upon. This provides consistency for

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Organisation

children and reassurance for parents. The childminder continues to undertake training to increase her knowledge in all areas of childcare. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to extend her knowledge of child protection issues and ensure she had access to the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines. She has developed an extensive folder of information on child protection and this is shared with the parents. The childminder was also asked to increase her resources to support equality of opportunity. She now has a good selection of toys and equipment to support equality of opportunity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints received 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

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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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 all agreements with parents are recorded

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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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