Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504645 Inspection date 02 March 2006 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1982. She lives with her family in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham. The house is within walking distance of shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is available for children and they have access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently caring for six children of which four are under five years old. Children can be taken to, and collected from, local pre-schools, nursery classes and schools.

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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 family has no pets. The childminder is able to support children with special needs and those for whom English is an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of hygiene practices as the childminder has good routines in place. There are suitable standards of hygiene within the house and garden ensuring children's 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 wide 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. 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 are offered drinks hourly ensuring they remain hydrated at all times and especially in the summer. Parents supply all food and some drinks with the childminder providing additional drinks throughout the day. Consent for emergency medical treatment has not been obtained for all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child-centred home. Household risks are identified and minimised. This means they can move around freely, safely and independently. Children are beginning to understand about safety and risks as the childminder always gives explanations. There are routines in place to ensure children's health and general welfare. 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 undertaken daily including checks on toys and equipment. This ensures that children are safe whilst playing in the home. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted . However, her daughter is left in sole charge on occasions and she does not have suitable clearances in place

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to do this and therefore the children are potentially at risk. The childminder holds a

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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 current first aid certificate. The childminder has clear plans for fire evacuation. These are shared and practised with the children ensuring they understand the routine to follow to exit the home safely if the alarms sound. Outings are planned to ensure the children's safety but consent for outings and transport have not been obtained for all of the children cared for. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and shares these with parents.

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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. 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 as they are clear on what is expected of them and what the boundaries are regarding behaviour. To further develop experiences for the children they attend activities outside of the home, for example, daily walks, park, and local children's activity areas. The childminder encourages children to fully express themselves and she responds well to children's requests for interactive play or changes of toys. This enables children to develop independence and self-esteem. The childminder regularly changes toys and equipment, for the youngest children, in order to keep them interested and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stimulated. The appropriate storage of equipment allows children to safely access all toys and equipment, to explore their surroundings and make decisions for themselves. Children's work is displayed giving the children a sense of pride in their achievement and all activities are discussed with parents. A sample activity list is available for parents to ensure they are aware of the range of activities their children are involved in.

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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 as they are given examples of why their behaviour is not acceptable or, why they should not throw toys. The childminder discusses behaviour issues with both parents and children ensuring everyone hears the same message and consistency is maintained. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met 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 are recorded. Children's independence is

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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 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, whilst ensuring activities include some degree of challenge. The childminder has good experience of caring for children with special needs and those for whom English is an additional language. She is able to adapt activities and her use of language to enable all children to fully participate in all play activities. As a result all children are progressing well. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and provides toys and equipment, discusses festivals from around the world and provides support to parents. This enables children to begin to understand the world around them and see

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Helping children make a positive contribution

everyone in a positive light. There is a 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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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming and child-centred environment. They have 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 events 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. Most documentation, with the exception of some consents, and all 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 children and reassurance for parents. The childminder is not meeting her registration conditions, as she is caring for too many

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Organisation

children under five years old and is using an assistant who has not obtained the required clearances. She accepts this. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure accurate records were kept of children's attendance, accident and medication records contained sufficient information and were signed by parents and, to ensure a smoke alarm was fitted to the first floor. All of these recommendations have been met ensuring that children can receive suitable medication when required and can be alerted in the event of a fire.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • comply with conditions of registration with regard to registered numbers and ages of children • ensure all adults with regular contact with children have obtained suitable clearance • ensure all documentation is completed for all children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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