Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 228292 Inspection date 19 July 2005 Inspector Shirley Delaney

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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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 14, 13 and 9 years in the Erdington area of Birmingham, within walking distance of local schools, parks and pre-school groups. The childminder uses the rear lounge conservatory, kitchen and downstairs bathroom for childminding and a first floor bedroom is used by children for sleep. The children have access to a secure rear garden. The family has two dogs and a cat.

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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 is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, who attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop good personal habits, they receive positive reinforcement from the childminder who reminds children to wash their hands before and after meals and after toileting. Children’s development of self help skills is positively encouraged as the childminder assists children to have regard for their own personal needs. Children enjoy a healthy diet, they have packed lunches supplied from home with fresh fruit provided on a daily basis, and the childminder makes sure that drinks are made readily accessible to children at all times. The childminder makes sure she works closely with parents when gathering information about children’s dietary needs and parents' wishes. Children benefit from regular physical exercise. They routinely make use of the garden and enjoy regular trips to parks. Outdoor activities provide children with a variety of experiences including wheeled toys for pushing, pulling and peddling,

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Helping children to be healthy

contributing to children’s good health and helping to develop large physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around most areas of the property used for childminding generally safely, as the childminder identifies and minimises most risks for children through the use of safety precautions such as a stair gate to prevent access to the hallway, and storage of medication in a high cupboard to prevent children’s access. However, some hazards have not been effectively identified and present hazards to children in the kitchen, bathroom and garden. Children are beginning to learn about staying safe, as the childminder practises fire drills to help children learn how to get out of the house safely in an emergency, discusses road safety and encourages children to tidy up after they have played with toys to prevent trips and falls. Children are able to make choices from a broad range of toys and resources stored at their level, developing children’s independence. Children can safely select from

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accessible toys as good care is taken that resources are suitable for children’s age/ability and meet safety standards. Children’s safety and protection from harm is promoted positively, as the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility for protecting children.

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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 are comfortable, settled, relaxed and busily involved in play and learning experiences. They have access to a wide range of stimulating toys and resources which they are keen to play with. Children have good opportunities to take part in an extensive range of activities which offer them challenges and hold their interest. They benefit from a flexible rota of activities that ensures they are able to take part in a range of activities over time that ensures all their developmental needs are met. Children develop confidence in communication skills as the childminder spends her time playing, listening, reading and talking to children, extending their language skills. When younger children are asleep the childminder utilises this time for an older child to listen to more complex stories and takes time to makes sure the child understands and follows the story. Children benefit from experiences outside the home. They routinely attend toddler

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

groups through which they develop an awareness of the wider environment and develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of resources which promote positive views of other cultures and disability, increasing children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Routine trips to local groups help children learn about their local community. Children are well behaved, confident and secure. They receive praise and encouragement for good behaviour as the childminder provides children with acknowledgement and reward when they help to tidy up, are kind and considerate to others and make personal achievements. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder pays good attention to meeting the children’s needs. Children’s routines and needs are discussed with parents and daily routines are organised to include periods of sleep and rest, meals and activity. Children benefit from a secure environment where parents are kept well informed. The childminder routinely shares verbal and written information on a daily basis with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents about their children’s routine, care and involvement in activities, contributing to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. The environment is well organised and child centred, which enables children to feel at ease and

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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 confident to take part in the play experiences available to them. Children are relaxed as their security is fostered through effective adult support. The childminder has completed relevant courses to ensure that she maintains a secure knowledge base for offering care to children. She generally keeps accurate records to ensure children’s welfare and continuity of care is promoted. However, the records of written parental consent to administer medication and the records of medication administered to children are not cohesive.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made to improve practice, to make sure that documented evidence of public liability insurance is available for inspection and obtain written parental permission for all children to be transported in a vehicle. The childminder keeps household insurance documents available for inspection, as she states she has made arrangements with the insurance company to insure her childminding business within the specification of her household insurance. The childminder now requests parents' written permission to transport children in a motor vehicle.

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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): • improve procedures in place to identify hazards for children within the home and in the garden and take action to minimise risks • improve records of medication administered to children to ensure that medication records are comprehensive.

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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 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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