Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 250375 Inspection date 23 February 2006 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a house in the Castle Bromwich area of Solihull. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently caring for 4 children under 5 years of age and 3 school-aged children. The childminder has use of a car and is also within walking distance of local shops, park and other amenities. The childminder is able to take children to and from

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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 schools and other pre-school groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have many opportunities to maintain healthy bodies and engage in exercise as they walk regularly to and from school and play outside in the garden. Children's health is safeguarded by the good standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the household. Children are learning to protect their own health from the risk of infection as they carry out routines such as hand washing before snacks. Children's health is protected in the event of an accident or illness by the childminder's current first aid knowledge and her awareness of infectious diseases. This means children who are unwell do not attend so that there is no risk to the health of others. Children are learning about healthy eating as they enjoy home cooked meals from the childminder and are encouraged to make healthy choices from their lunch boxes. Children's individual dietary needs are well known as the childminder consults

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a family home where they can move freely between the ground floor rooms as most precautions have been taken to protect them from potential hazards. Children generally respond to the guidelines in place which encourage them to have regard for their own safety, such as when walking to school. However, these are not always consistently maintained when children are around their younger, more vulnerable companions which sometimes compromises their safety. Also, the routines for resting babies do not fully protect their safety. The resources and equipment are chosen and maintained to ensure safety and suitability and children can access these easily as they are set out to encourage independent choice. Children's welfare is further safeguarded by the childminder's understanding of her role and responsibilities as regards child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children of different ages are welcomed into this family home. New arrivals are encouraged to settle in as they receive cuddles and attention from the childminder who tries to help them feel content. Children engage in a range of opportunities both inside and outside the home, such as trips to the shops and other pre-school groups, which maintain their interest and provide a variety of different play and socialization

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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 experiences. Although the needs of the baby sometimes prevents the childminder providing more adult-directed play with the other children, they do have a reasonable selection of toys and resources to keep them occupied. Also, children of different ages are beginning to enjoy sharing activities such as construction play together. Children have opportunities to talk about their day as they engage in conversation with the childminder who encourages them to share events from school and home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and welcomed as the childminder gets to know them well and liaises with the parent to ensure children's individual needs are appropriately met. This means all children are included and some older children are learning to understand the needs of younger children and support them in their play. Children are generally aware of the guidelines in place which encourages them to share and play together and learn about the consequences of their actions on others. However, the balancing of children's individual needs sometimes means that children do not always receive appropriate attention and occupation, and consequently their behaviour is not always good. Children learn about their local community as they visit the nearby amenities and join in with other pre-school groups. Children can choose freely from a range of play and learning resources which helps them initiate their own

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Helping children make a positive contribution

play. Partnership with parents is open and friendly and parents are relaxed and able to share in regular discussion with the childminder about their child's day. This encourages a consistent approach towards the child which supports their overall development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a family environment and move comfortably around the space available and select toys of their choice from the range arranged for their interest. The childminder organises the day around their needs and routines, which often includes walks around the local community. She works in effective partnership with parents to ensure children settle in well and make progress. All the required documentation for the efficient management of the childminding business is in place and well-maintained and the childminder is well aware of her responsibilities and the procedures she should follow. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her procedures for recording accidents, incidents and medication and obtain consents from parents as regards transport and emergency action. The childminder now efficiently records all

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Improvements 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 these in individual books and has all the necessary parental consents in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints which have not been reported 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 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 the routines for resting and caring for a baby appropriately protect their safety when in the presence of other children • review strategies for managing children's behaviour.

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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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