Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY272759 Inspection date 07 April 2006 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 has been registered since 2003, and works with another childminder and on occasions an assistant. She lives close to parks and within walking distance shops. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for one child who is over eight years of age on a part time basis after school. The childminder transports children in a vehicle or occasionally walks to local schools to

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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 take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler and playgroups. The childminder has an appropriate early years qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are suitably supported to wipe over their hands after messy play activities and to wash and dry their hands after visiting the bathroom. Children know where the tissues are kept and where to dispose of used tissues. Good hygiene procedures to prevent cross infection are in place and practice is always consistent with regard to nappy changing routine. Children are beginning to develop their self-help and social skills and they are encouraged to eat at the table during meal times. Younger children help themselves to their own drinking cups or ask for a drink if they are thirsty. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes and children’s food likes and dislikes through discussions on dietary needs and she provides a menu for parents to see. Children enjoy a good selection of healthy meals and snacks which includes fresh fruit and vegetables and they have a choice of fresh fruit juice, milk or water to drink. This helps children begin

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Helping children to be healthy

to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and this means that children receive prompt medical treatment should there be a need. Procedures for accident and medication are clearly explained to parents. This ensures appropriate arrangements are in place should there be an emergency. Children have access to a safe outdoor area where they enjoy playing with wheeled toys and participating in games. Children are helped to practice and develop their physical skills through walking to the local lake to feed the ducks and visits to parent and toddler groups where they can use a varied range of equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to keep themselves and others safe as the childminder has a good procedure in place to evacuate the premises should there be an emergency. She practises this procedure regularly with the children and they are aware that they should leave the building quickly. She maintains a record to demonstrate that emergency drills take place in the setting. Children select resources from a good range of games and toys which are safe and well maintained. The childminder supervises children's choices to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. She has a varied selection of

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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 equipment to support children's growing independence such as left handed scissors, liquid soap dispenser and a 'step-up' to help children reach the bathroom hand wash basin. Children are regularly transported in safety in the childminder's vehicle. The childminder uses seat-belts to ensure children's safety and maintains car safety equipment appropriately. Consent forms for outings are signed by parents and written parental permission is gained prior to transporting children in a vehicle. This means that parents are always aware of all aspects of their child's care when indoors and on outings and visits. The childminder has a good awareness of the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines and understands her role and responsibility to report any concerns to ensure children are well protected. The childminder offers parents the child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

policy along with all other policies and procedures to read through and discuss.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable, familiar with daily routines and are settled at the childminder's home and with her family. They are building good relationships with the childminder and with each other. They are growing in confidence and communicate their immediate needs and the childminder responds to their requests. Children engage happily in purposeful play. The childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide some focus activities for babies and young children to help maintain their interest and build their concentration. Children are using a good selection of resources and equipment that are stimulating and fun. They enjoy selecting their favourite toys and engage in a broad range of activities, such as cooking biscuits, making butter, planting poppy seeds, box modelling, and cutting and gluing. The childminder talks to the children during activities, involving them in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

discussions and promoting their communication skills and learning. Children play happily together or along side one another. They develop their imagination and independence by choosing their own activities and initiating their own play. Younger children enjoy listening to stories and joining in with the actions when singing their favourite rhymes and songs. Children’s daily routines are well established and they are familiar with them. For example, children know that after lunch time in the conservatory it is rest time in the lounge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and make themselves at home. They have time to rest and carry out quiet activities and time to be actively involved often playing alongside one another with the same resources. The childminder responds to their requests and talks to them about what they are doing and about things of interest to them.

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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’s work is displayed for them to see and photographs show children working, playing and creating things together. This helps them to feel valued and gives them a sense of well-being. Children are learning to show kindness to one another and share favourite toys and resources. For example, they take turns identifying the ingredients for biscuits and them mixing them all together. They are praised consistently and rewarded for their good behaviour with stickers and this in turn encourages positive behaviour. Children are helped to appreciate and value similarities and differences through every day play activities and resources that the childminder plans in order to support their understanding. The childminder is aware of children's developmental stages. Consequently, she

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Helping children make a positive contribution

feels able to approach parents if she is concerned about their child’s progress to obtain appropriate support. The childminder keeps parents well informed of their child's day with regular written and verbal exchanges. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder follows current vetting procedures to ensure that all visitors to her home have appropriate clearances to enable them to be with the children. This means that there are good arrangements in place to ensure children are secure and well protected in the setting. Children are relaxed in the warm, safe, comfortable environment. This means they are settled and are building good relationships with each other and the childminder. The childminder has an appropriate early years qualification and has completed some training since registration and is eager to attend further training to enhance her skills to benefit the children’s development and learning opportunities. She has a good range of policies and procedures are in place and these documents are used effectively to promote welfare, care and learning of the children in her care. Required records are up to date, stored confidentially and available for parents.

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Organisation

There is a daily register of attendance that clearly shows the individual children’s time of arrival and departure each day. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There was a recommendation from the last inspection to ensure that the daily record of attendance is accurate and up to date, and includes the actual times of children arrival and departure. Since the last inspection the childminder has devised a reliable

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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 system for recording individual children's arrival and departure times this is accurate and up to date.

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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): • improve outcomes for children under three by embedding the 'Birth to three matters' framework into practice.

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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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