Childminder in Birmingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504589 Inspection date 14 September 2005 Inspector Kashma Patel

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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 for 20 years. She lives with her husband and four children aged 8, 12, 21, 25. The whole of the ground floor and one room upstairs is used for childminding. Children do not have access to other rooms on the first floor and the dining room on ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years and is currently minding 4 children on a part-time basis. Children are taken on daily outings to the park, shops and playgroups.

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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 have a pet cat and 2 guinea pigs. The childminder has the National Vocational Qualification in Childcare to Level 3. She has also completed many child care related courses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about hygiene and personal care through good routines established by the childminder. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and doing messy activities. Children commented that they washed their hands to "make them clean". There are good procedures in place for nappy changing which ensures children are protected from cross infection. Children are developing good climbing skills through regular attendance at the local playgroups, they enjoy crawling through the tunnels and balancing on the climbing frame. Children are taken for daily walks to the school, shops and the park. This ensures that children have the opportunity to exercise and have fresh air daily. Children are provided with a good range of healthy snacks and drinks which meets their individual needs. They are provided with packed lunches which are healthy and nutritious meeting their dietary requirements. Excess food, which children have not

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Helping children to be healthy

eaten, is sent back to make parents aware of how much food is eaten by their child. Babies are also provided with food which is age and stage appropriate to ensure their health and development is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a playroom which has a good range of toys which are accessible. Children independently select toys and games, but they are not always encouraged to tidy away before taking more out, and this impacts on their free space. There are good procedures for transporting children in the car and on outings which ensures children are kept safe. Children have opportunities to go for daily walks to the school and shops, they are learning how to keep themselves safe by learning about road safety. A child commented that you have to wait for "the green man to cross the road". Children are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the Area Child Protection Committee guidance. The procedures are shared with parents to inform them of her responsibilities and to promote children's safety.

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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 settle well with the childminders and are happy to separate from parents. They are developing good relationships with their peers and are sociable to visitors, as they initiate play with them. Children are developing good levels of independence as they select toys of their choice. They enjoyed playing with the animals and looking at books with the childminder. Children are developing their imagination through musical activities such as dancing and singing, they also enjoy messy activities such as sand, paint and dough. Children have daily opportunities to access the garden where there is good range of equipment which promotes their learning. Children are learning to share toys and can make connections, they are learning about numbers and colours from posters displayed around the house. They also

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy listening to stories with the childminder and wait patiently for their turn to answer questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a good range of toys and equipment which promotes race, culture, gender and disability. Children have access to a good range of books and resources which encourages them to learn about different faiths. They enjoy making lanterns and cards for Festivals. Children with special needs are accommodated and the childminder ensures that they take part in all activities. Children are learning how to manage their own behaviour, the childminder ensures that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with positively by using strategies such as time-out. The children are given an explanation and receive lots of praise for playing well together. Children's welfare is promoted through good partnership with parents. Children's routines are discussed with parents daily to ensure their needs are met. Daily verbal feedback exchanged when children are delivered and collected ensures continuity of

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and happy in their environment. This encourages children to initiate their own play. Children have sufficient space both inside and outside the home, which enables them to move independently, however children do not always tidy toys away before taking more out and this impacts on their space. Children are able to move freely in the two play areas, they show independence by selecting games which are accessible. This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder works well with parents to meet the needs of the children.

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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 Information is shared daily to keep them well informed about the service provided and their child's activities. This enables children to make good progress in all areas of their development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • ensure children have sufficient free space in the playroom.

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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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