Childminder in StaffordshireOfsted inspection, 30 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317919 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Olwen Pulker

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her daughter aged seven in Codsall, South Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one child over five. The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children. She takes younger children to local activity groups. The family has a dog.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable home where they are protected from infection through the implementation of effective hygiene procedures, as a result babies are able to crawl and explore the clean environment safely. Older children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as they wash their hands and have access to a supply of baby wipes during their daily routines, such as before and after meals and after toileting. The childminder advises and liaises with parents about meals and snacks provided in order to ensure that children are well nourished and enjoy a variety of fresh food. Good awareness of likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements helps children eat well and in line with parental wishes. Children are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle as they are offered regular opportunities to walk to and from the local school and nursery. They take part in a

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Helping children to be healthy

range of physical activities such as using the park's large equipment for climbing, sliding and swinging and babies enjoy a weekly session of music and movement at the local library. These opportunities are effective in helping children develop body control and 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 play, eat and sleep comfortably in an appropriately organised and welcoming environment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. A selection of well-maintained resources is made available daily; several play options are placed on the lounge floor so that the youngest children are able to access them safely and independently. Children's safety is appropriately promoted through the childminder's ability to implement necessary precautions both inside and outside the home. Most risks have been identified and minimised to allow children the freedom to move around the ground floor rooms and garden in safety. There is a well-planned emergency evacuation procedure in place and children have opportunities to practise this so that they develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, not all electrical appliances in the kitchen are plugged into individual sockets and therefore children's safety is not fully promoted. Children's welfare is adequately protected through the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues and her commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the children in her care. She has copies of relevant literature of the procedures to follow if

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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 she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well soon after arriving and make themselves at home. They have access to a suitable variety of toys, activities and equipment to help promote their learning. The childminder interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play giving consistent support; she aids early speech development through constant dialogue with the children and they begin to recognise different colours and learn to count as they build block towers. Older children learn to be gentle and interact appropriately with babies under sensitive instructions from the childminder. Babies learn to communicate and benefit greatly from close physical contact with the childminder and respond excitedly to her warm, friendly tone and animated facial expressions. Children are developing independence and self-esteem by selecting their activities and taking responsibility for tidying away toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's self-esteem is supported very well through a wealth of positive praise and encouragement of independence and choice. They know the simple rules of the setting and these are consistently reinforced where appropriate by the childminder. Children enjoy an environment which supports respect for others, kindness and sharing and this helps to ensure that they are confident, happy and contented in the childminder's care. Behaviour management techniques are age-appropriate and are used in a way that children can understand. The childminder provides few resources which help children develop an understanding of diversity and the world around them. Trips to the local library help to ensure that children have access to a wide range of books which help to support this and also ensures that they have a choice of books which interest them. The partnership with parents is good, with a strong emphasis on support and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistency. Procedures are effective in ensuring that children are cared for in line with parent's wishes and in a calm and consistent manner. Daily diaries and verbal feedback, either on collection or later by telephone, ensure that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Paperwork is stored in good order and maintained in line with requirements. Some detailed policies and procedures are in place, which outline clearly the care provided for the children and how the childminder ensures that children are safe whilst in her

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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 care. Parents have good access to these so that they know about the care provided for their children. The childminding space is effectively organised so that children have the use of rooms, which are child-orientated, comfortable and homely. They have good access to quieter activities, free play activities and outdoor play. The childminder continues to develop the range of activities and resources so that children's needs continue to be met effectively. The childminder shows a commitment to accessing training materials so as to be effective in ensuring that she keeps up-to-date with current childcare issues and good practice guidelines. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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 that electrical appliances and fittings do not pose a hazard to children's safety.

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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:

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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 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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