Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312075 Inspection date 14 March 2006 Inspector Julie Mary Preston

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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 partner and two children aged one and eight in Leek, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder's garden is used for supervised outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part time basis including before and after school care. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She visits the local shops and the local park.

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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 Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the procedures implemented by the childminder help children learn the importance of staying healthy. Children develop an understanding of good hygiene practices through daily routine activities completed with the childminder. For example, washing their hands before meals. Hand towels are changed on a regular basis which minimises the risk of cross infection to children. The childminder has some understanding of the procedures for dealing with sickness, existing injuries, accidents and administration of medication. However, written consent from parents is not sought to allow the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for a child in her care when needed. This means that delays in treatment may occur as relevant permissions are not in place. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion and the range

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Helping children to be healthy

of meals and snacks provided by the childminder. Children are given regular access to drinks and snacks as they require them throughout the day. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual dietary needs. If parents provide children's dietary requirements they are appropriately stored and served to children. This ensures individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has an understanding of good hygiene within food preparation and storage and reflects this within her practice. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their good health. Regular physical activities help children develop physical skills and gain control of their bodies. For example walks around the local environment, visits to the local park and trips and outings undertaken with the childminder. Children are given opportunities to rest or sleep in line with parental wishes and individual sleep patterns.

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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 safe environment where the childminder aims to ensure possible risks are identified and minimised. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, security of the premises is not maintained, this means children safety is compromised. The childminder develops children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and maintain their safety both inside and outside the home. For example, she discusses road safety with children. The home is maintained and offers a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment available. The child friendly environment allows children to independently select activities from the range of toys, which are suitable for the age range of children attending. Toys are organised in storage boxes and a toy box that are provided at child height to allow

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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 easy access, with toys rotated daily through discussion with children to ensure variety. The childminder has most of the required safety procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example by providing smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures that ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. However, she is not aware of her local Area Child Protection Committee guidance and procedures or the contact numbers to use in the event of any concerns about a child in her care. This means possible delays in action being taken if child protection concerns are identified.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and show enjoyment of their time in the childminder's care. They are developing confidence and make themselves at home. The children interact well with the childminder and with each other showing a clear bond that leads to positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Children gain confidence to express their needs and wants with the childminder. The childminder takes time to listen and make conversation with each child expanding on children's individual interests through discussion and questioning. This develops children's understanding. Children experience a wide range of age-appropriate activities that promote development, encourage confidence, develop independence and promote self-esteem, such as independently selecting activities and resources. All children spend their time purposefully. Many of the activities are child led with the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

supporting and extending children's learning. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child that attends and their individual capabilities. This enables her to adapt and extend activities to ensure each child gains the most out of each activity they participate in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of equal opportunities and special needs issues. All children are treated as individuals and their needs met. Resources and activities provide positive images and develop children's understanding of themselves and the wider world, for example books, cooking activities, and activities relating to specific festivals. This helps children's awareness of the wider world, develops positive attitudes and increases awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Children are well behaved and show care and concern for each other as they take turns and show an understanding of their boundaries. The childminder applies a consistent approach to manage a range of children's behaviour. Positive use of

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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 praise and encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They have opportunities to rest and to be active within the daily routine. The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them. Discussions are held with parents and children at the initial visits with ongoing discussions and observations undertaken on a daily basis to ensure individual children's needs are identified and met. The childminder ensures parents are aware of her procedures and how children will be cared for by keeping individual records on children and verbally discussing her policies and procedures and by holding daily discussions with parents about children's care and achievements. However, not all contracts between the parents and the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are signed, this means parents have not agreed to the term laid down within the contract.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets some of the relevant training requirements and is keen to attend additional training. However, she does not hold a current first aid certificate, this means that the childminder does not have a detailed knowledge of current first aid practices. The children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. The environment provided both inside and outside the home enables children to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Verbal and written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and well-being. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The required documentation is in place and maintained. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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 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 training in first aid is undertaken and a current first aid certificate maintained • obtain written parental permission, to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • ensure security of the premises is maintained • gain awareness of the local Area Child Protection Committee guidance, including contact numbers in case of any child protection concerns • ensure all written contracts made with parents include parental signatures to acknowledge agreement and that all signatories receive a copy.

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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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