Childminder in Solihull

Inspection report for early years provision

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250185 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2006 Inspection date Janet Ann Keeling Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her adult son in a house in the kingshurst area of Solihull which is close to local shops, parks, schools and public transport. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder works with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups, the library and rhythm time sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder and her assistant hold current first aid certificates and are members of the National Childminding Association.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and very well-maintained environment. Children are actively and consistently learning about the importance of good hygiene practices through well established daily routines. For example, children understand why they must wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Their understanding of good hygiene practice is further supported by the very good use of visual displays which are appropriately positioned in the playroom and bathroom areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills through regular access to outdoor play where they ride bikes, throw and catch bean bags, kick balls and have enormous fun on the bouncing castle and on the large climbing equipment. Children also enjoy the fresh air and explore their local environment as they engage in regular walks to the park where they feed the ducks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are comprehensively supported because the childminder is fully aware of the children's individual needs and has robust procedures in place to ensure children are cared for appropriately should they be taken ill. Children's accident, medication and emergency consent forms are in place and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an outstanding range of exciting and stimulating activities which contribute to their good health and well-being. For example, they complete topic work on 'how to stay fit', 'what to eat' and 'looking at healthy options'. Children are beginning to make healthy choices for themselves as they are encouraged to choose a piece of fruit at snack-time and after lunch. Older children can help themselves to drinks, whilst younger children are offered drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around safely and freely as most identified risks and hazards have been minimised, however, low level glass and the garden drain have not been made inaccessible to children. Children are very well protected from fire within the home as the childminder has effective precautions in place, such as a fire blanket, smoke detectors and a well thought through evacuation procedure. They are made aware of the emergency escape procedures and practise the fire drill regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe whilst out walking or when taking part in outings because the childminder has robust procedures in place. Children are encouraged to follow the highway code, hold hands, listen to instructions and learn about hazards in their environment. For example, children listen carefully to instructions from the childminder and know not to talk to strangers. Children's safety is further promoted whilst out walking as they are encouraged to wear high visibility jackets.

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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 Children use an extensive range of suitable and safe equipment which is regularly checked to ensure it is safe for the children to use. They are very carefully supervised at all times, for example, as they play with toys and equipment both in and outside of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected from possible abuse or neglect because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care. She is fully aware of the child protection procedures and knows who to contact should she be concerned. Children benefit from the childminder having a sound knowledge of first aid, and because she has very good procedures in place to follow in an emergency situation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. They are eager to learn and participate enthusiastically in the outstanding range of activities provided. They have excellent opportunities to use their own initiative when selecting toys and resources. They learn new skills and acquire new knowledge through planned and free play activities, and through the appropriate questioning and listening skills of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are monitored closely by the childminder, who is competent in assessing the children's individual needs. Children are encouraged to develop their early reading and writing skills as they play, for example, one child sat with the childminder and was skilfully supported to look through the story book, recalling the story through pictures. Meanwhile the younger children were encouraged to develop their early mark making skills as they enjoyed using the chalk board. Children benefit from further learning opportunities and play experiences within the local community as they regularly attend pre-school groups, rhythm time sessions, enjoy a picnic in the park and visit the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy excellent relationships with the childminder and each other, they are treated with equal concern and begin to show respect for each other. Their self-esteem is inspiringly fostered through outstanding levels of support and encouragement from the childminder and her assistant. Children are actively praised for their achievements and encouraged to take pride in their own work, for example, there was great excitement as the children showed off their collage work which was attractively displayed on the playroom walls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled in this very stimulating and vibrant environment, they are encouraged to make decisions about their own play and actively engage in an outstanding range of activities which are both adult-led and child-initiated. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are skilfully supported by the childminder and her assistant, for example, as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with the parents on admission.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children choose from an extensive range of toys and resources which promote positive imagery of gender, culture, ethnicity and disability. Children's awareness of different cultures is further promoted through discussion with the childminder.

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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 Children are aware of the house rules and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions, consequently their behaviour is excellent. Their understanding of right and wrong is further developed as they respond positively to gentle reminders from the childminder, to care for the toys and each other as they play. Children's excellent behaviour and achievements are inspiring, they are valued and encouraged at all times by the very experienced and knowledgeable childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes effectively to the children's individual needs being supported at all times. Children's individual care needs are fully discussed with parents before the child starts with the childminder and are reviewed regularly. Children's daily activities and achievements are shared with parents each day ensuring parents are kept fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's individual needs are effectively supported in this lively, welcoming and child-friendly environment. Children are happy, settled and feel a good sense of belonging. They are inspiringly motivated and interested in the exciting range of toys and activities that are made available to them.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the very well established routines which have an excellent regard for their individual needs. The childminder makes very good use of her home, the garden and the facilities within the local community.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is in place, although the complaints procedure has not been updated in line with the revised National Standards guidance of October 2005.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to; ensure the outdoor play area is secure and that hazards are minimised, review the hygiene practices, develop the range of resources which promote positive imagery of diversity and review the accident and medication procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made the outdoor play area secure and has minimised most hazards, however, the garden drain is still accessible to the children. Hygiene practices have been reviewed and are now effective in preventing the spread of infection. Toys and resources which reflect positive imagery of diversity have been purchased and effective accident and medication procedures have been implemented. Consequently, children's health, safety and well-being is now further supported by the childminder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In June 2005 Ofsted received information relating to National Standard 2 Organisation, which suggested that the childminder's assistant had been left in sole charge of an excessive number

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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 of minded children. An unannounced inspection was carried out by an inspector who found that on occasions the childminding assistant had been in sole care of more children than the conditions of registration allowed and that children's attendances were not accurately recorded. Unrelated to these concerns Ofsted also noted that repeat suitable person checks were overdue for a number of individuals associated with the registered address. Ofsted agreed 3 actions with the childminder to ensure that the number of children for whom the assistant had sole care did not exceed registered numbers, that children's attendances are accurately recorded and suitability checks are undertaken. The childminder's written responses to these actions are appropriate and the childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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): • minimise hazards to children on the premises both in and outside, this refers to the low level glass and the garden drain • update the complaints procedures in line with the revised National Standards guidance of October 2005.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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