Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 210090 Inspection date 03 April 2006 Inspector Maxine Williams

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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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged thirteen and five in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time basis and one child over five before and after school. She also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of a local childminding group, a childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They discover, use and increase their physical control in exciting daily indoor and outdoor experiences. Garden games and regular visits to local playgrounds and attractions help to progress children’s physical abilities. They develop knowledge of the way activity has an effect on their bodies and all are able to rest or be active according to their needs. The childminder's excellent understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within a secure environment. Children are cared for in warm, clean surroundings where they learn the importance of good hygiene. They thrive because the childminder follows extremely effective policies and procedures which meet the children’s health, dietary and physical needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have access to their own towels and face cloths which prevents the risk of contamination and promotes increasing independence in their personal care. Procedures for accidents and medication are clear and understood, the childminder has a current first aid certificate and there is a well-stocked first aid box available. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and making healthy choices. The childminder provides a range of healthy, nutritious meals that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. For example, children enjoy a freshly prepared meal of shepherd’s pie, followed by yogurt and banana. The childminder has completed a course on healthy eating and has a basic food hygiene certificate. She talks to children about what foods are good for them and encourages them to enjoy healthy snacks, such as yogurt drops and both dried and fresh fruit. Her sound knowledge of healthy eating and good nutrition guidelines contributes significantly to

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Helping children to be healthy

children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is attentive and performs risk assessments on the premises to reduce possible hazards. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. She gives high priority to promoting children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. This means that children learn about potential dangers and develop their knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm.

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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 select activities from a wide range of high quality and developmentally-appropriate resources, which meet safety standards. These are organised effectively in storage containers and on shelving at an accessible height to encourage independent access. The childminder protects and supports children’s welfare and has all of the necessary policies and procedures in place. Fire safety precautions are good, there is a fire blanket and fire extinguisher available in the kitchen and fire drills are carried out and recorded on a monthly basis. The childminder has completed a course on child protection and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines. This means that children are protected from harm or

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable at the childminder's house. They respond well to each other and interact with other children during regular visits to local toddler groups. Children develop their independence as they choose between a large assortment of toys, books and activities, which are interesting and appealing. They enjoy making ‘Barney’ sing and dance and pressing the symbols on the play mat to make a variety of tunes and sounds. They take pleasure in building towers out of blocks, naming the animals in the farm and posting the shapes into the right holes in the shape sorter. Children’s budding communication skills are developed through interesting and stimulating conversations; they enjoy talking about their home lives and what their interests are. They talk about the animals and vehicles from the farm set, children like to make the sounds of the animals, particularly the 'baa, baa' sound

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the sheep. Two year old children are able to count to eight, higher with support, and they know where the nose, eyes, mouth and hands are on the figure on the flipchart and on themselves. They play with the dolls and small world resources and they delight in the creative experiences available, such as decorating eggs and making cards for Easter. Close and considerate relationships provide children with a healthy dependence on the childminder, while enabling them to develop a strong sense of self. They play joyfully together and with adults using resources such as dolls, cars, role play resources, small world toys and outdoor equipment, appropriate to their age and ability. The childminder has a good awareness of the array of experiences which facilitate children to make better use of their intellectual and imaginative capabilities. For example, she supports children in learning their colours by encouraging children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to name the colours of everyday things, such as the ‘red’ yogurt pot. They enjoy using the wide range of musical resources available, such as a keyboard, drum, guitar, bells, maracas, and a variety of musical instruments from other cultures. Children enjoy looking at and reading books, two year olds know the story of ‘Bill’s trousers’ by heart and eagerly shout out that 'Bill put potatoes in his pocket when he went to the shops'. The childminder reads a book about recycling and talks to children about why it is important to recycle. Children enjoy participating in the childminding activities and they are confident in their relationship with the childminder.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder supplies a high quality and wide variety of activities and resources to encourage a positive outlook to the wider world and raise children’s knowledge of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, there are toys, dolls and books to help children learn about other cultures and disability. The children have extensive opportunities to find out about themselves and each other, and to gain knowledge of the wider world through planned activities, visits to the playgroup and outings to local places of interest. Children are cherished and appreciated as individuals; the childminder talks to children about their family and home life. Resources are in place to help children progress and develop in all areas. For example, there is a nurse's trolley, which helps children to learn about the tests that are carried out at the doctor’s surgery or in the hospital. The childminder has a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

secure knowledge of special needs and is proactive in ensuring that all of the children in her care receive appropriate support and experiences. Children’s understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, the childminding resources and each other. Clear behaviour management methods implemented by the childminder help children to develop their understanding of appropriate behaviour and they respond well to the boundaries set. Children make themselves at home, confidently choosing activities, requesting drinks and snacks when they want them, and letting the childminder know when they need a nappy change or want to use the toilet. They increase self-esteem and confidence as they present their views and make choices and decisions. The childminder enjoys excellent relationships with parents, which contributes considerably to children’s well-being in the childminding setting. She actively seeks

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parent’s views on their child’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis during their time there. Daily diaries and verbal communication ensure that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing and that children are able to make consistent improvement in all areas of their development. References are in place from parents of children attending, as well as children who have attended in the past. All comments are positive and enthusiastic about the care that the childminder provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are comfortable and feel secure in the well-ordered surroundings. Indoor and outdoor space is organised well to provide extensive play opportunities for children. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder successfully uses the policies and procedures to support the well-being, care and learning of children. She considers training as an important way to increase her knowledge of child development and improve her ability to provide high quality care. She has achieved the quality first award as a member of a childminding network and is also a member of a local childminding group. She regularly attends short courses to ensure she is up to date with new ideas and information. For

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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 example, she has attended training on equal opportunities, healthy eating, child protection, behaviour management and creativity. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed. However, children attending the provision before and after school are only signed in on the register in the morning when they arrive and out in the evening when they leave. As a result the hours of attendance for school age children are not always accurate. 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 it was agreed that the childminder should obtain the government leaflet on child protection. This leaflet has been obtained, the childminder now has the required information at hand if she has any concerns about a child in her care. As a result, children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern is protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 that the register is completed with the arrival and departure times of children attending before and after school, in order that it is clear when they are present.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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