Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 210279 Inspection date 18 April 2006 Inspector Jane Lindsay Durand

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 8 years. They live in a terraced house in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for up to 4 children at any one time and is currently caring for 3 children on a part-time basis. She attends toddler groups with her minded children and is able to take and collect children from local schools.

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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 and is able to support children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through well-planned activities. The children know that they need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating because the childminder gives clear explanations. Procedures, such as cleanliness of toys and equipment, sustain sound levels of hygiene and help reduce cross infection. There are effective written procedures in place to maintain children's welfare, for example, illness policy. However, the childminder has limited knowledge and understanding of notifiable diseases. This means children are not protected from infectious illnesses. Children and babies benefit from a healthy diet. They learn about healthy eating through planned topics, such as tea-time treats, which give the children the opportunity to taste foods from around the world and identify which are good for you and which are bad. All meals and snacks provided comply with special dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

requirements and ensure children remain healthy. Children enjoy a range of energetic physical activities that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Regular walks to the parks, shops and schools contribute to their general well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in an organised environment, where risks to children are limited through positive safety and security procedures. The childminder monitors access to the premises at all times and precautions are taken to ensure the outdoor play area is safe and secure. Babies and children are able to access a range of stimulating toys and equipment to meet their individual needs. Space and resources are organised to allow children to move around freely, safely and independently. Children learn about the emergency evacuation of the building through discussions with the childminder and regular evacuation practises. The childminder is not aware of the document 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' and demonstrated limited knowledge of the signs of abuse and neglect. She is unaware of where to make a referral and the action taken if an allegation was made against herself whilst a child was in her care. This means

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminders home. They experience a positive, warm relationship with the childminder, which increases their sense of trust and well-being. The children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence through meaningful praise and encouragement from the childminder. They listen well, enter into discussion and have the confidence to ask questions about things that interest them, and the childminder gives good examples. Children experience a range of activities both inside and outside the home. Equipment and resources are stimulating and fun to maintain their interest. For example, babies and young children explore treasure baskets with a variety of natural and sensory materials. Children are able to develop their imagination and independence by selecting their own activities and initiating their own play. However, children watch the television whilst eating their meals and snacks. This means

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children are not helped to fully develop their social skills. The children relate well to each other and learn to play co-operatively. They behave well and are encouraged, respond to challenges and are praised appropriately. Younger children regularly attend toddler groups to enable them to interact with their peers as well as joining older children to visit parks, shops and toy libraries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to play together and behave well. Behaviour management strategies are discussed and agreed with parents and included in the behaviour policy. Children's self-esteem is promoted and good behaviour is encouraged and praised through the effective and consistent approach the childminder has for dealing with a range of children's behaviour. For example, implementing the 'what I can do' tree, which celebrates the positive behaviour of the child by placing a leaf, detailing their achievement, on the tree. Once the child has ten leaves they receive a small treat. Children respond to age and stage appropriate tactics, such as distracting younger children and offering alternative activities and talking about the consequences of behaviour with older children. The childminder understands the importance of promoting equal opportunities and helping children learn about other countries and religions. The children learn about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

different cultures through planned activities, such as visits to the local Chinese restaurant and tasting Chinese foods. The childminder has a range of toys and resources which helps children develop knowledge of the wider world, raise children's awareness of diversity and understand the needs of others. Children are encouraged to play with all toys and resources regardless of gender. The children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. This promotes the children's welfare and ensures their individuality is acknowledged and their needs are met. Parents are aware of how the setting

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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 operates through the discussion of policies and procedures at registration and daily verbal and written feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and needs of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's routines and activities. However, the attendance record, which is required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, does not accurately show the times of the children's arrival and departure and therefore does not promote the welfare of the children. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to keep children safe and protect them from illness and infection, for example, vetting procedures, illness policy and maintaining hygiene. The childminder exploits a wide range of resources and plans a range of activities to enhance the children's learning and development in most areas. The childminder attends regular training courses to update her knowledge and skills. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to: Inform Ofsted of changes to circumstances since last inspection; Comply with conditions of registration as stated on certificate; Keep an accurate and up to date attendance record; Ensure parental permission to administer medication is recorded; Provide a range of resources which reflects positive images; Ensure policy reflects methods of current practice for managing children's behaviour. The childminder has made significant improvements. The childminder is aware of how and where to contact Ofsted and is able to identify circumstances when Ofsted would be informed. She has reduced the amount of children she cares for at any one time to ensure she works within the restrictions of her registered numbers. The childminder has joined the National Childminding Association, and uses their recommended medication forms to record parental consent and medication

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Improvements since the last inspection

administered. A range of resources which reflects positive images have been obtained through the toy library. Children now have access to many toys which includes puppets, books and games. The childminder has also incorporated Equal Opportunities when planning activities, with the children visiting a Chinese restaurant and tasting Chinese foods. The childminder has increased her knowledge of managing children's behaviour and

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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 has devised a written policy which is shared with parents. She has implemented ways of promoting positive behaviour, for example, the 'what I can do' tree. However, the childminder does not keep an accurate and up to date attendance record. The childminder is recording the children's attendance before they attend, resulting in inaccuracies. Therefore, the action has not been met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • keep an accurate and up to date attendance record • obtain copy of 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused' and improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures for reporting incidents including action taken if an allegation was made whilst minding children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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