Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209671 Inspection date 20 April 2006 Inspector Jasvinder Kaur

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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 2000. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two younger children aged ten and seven years. The whole ground floor, except for the kitchen, and first floor bathroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years and five children over five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-school groups 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 family has five cats, two rabbits and one dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children stay healthy because the childminder takes positive steps to promote good hygiene through organised activities and a healthy lifestyle. They are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illness. She is aware of the necessity of recording accidents and medication administered to children. However, she has not yet requested written parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after eating their snacks. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which cater for their individual needs. They enjoy fresh fruit and drink at snack times. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents, and their wishes are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They enjoy playing in the local park and walking to the school, library and local shops. This ensures that all children including babies get fresh air and keep physically fit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a suitable physical environment. They have adequate space in the house to move around safely and have easy access to a range of toys sufficient for their requirements. The childminder is vigilant about small objects and toys on the floor to protect babies from swallowing them or tripping over them. Children are encouraged to learn some sense of danger and possible harm. They benefit from safety measures through emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis. However, her practice of leaving children in the garden to sleep means they are not safe. Moreover, she does not check sleeping children frequently. The children are protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection. She has attended the relevant training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children show interest and happily take part in a wide range of good quality activities and play opportunities. They are confident in the setting and positively

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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 interact with the childminder. She responds well to their individual needs including babies who express their feelings and needs without language. They make good progress through a variety of learning experiences which develop their language, mathematical thinking and imagination. For example while children are building with blocks they discuss how many towers are needed to make a castle. They join the blocks and make different shapes such as circles or squares. Babies join in and enjoy listening to nursery rhymes while older children are singing. Children explore and enjoy physical activities regularly and make a good use of local facilities. They develop their self esteem by trying new activities and facing challenges in a safe environment. For instance they collect natural materials from

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their local park and enjoy looking at different creatures under the rocks. They decorate plant pots with stickers of flowers, birds, animals and feathers in various colours. They pretend to be at the sea side and talk about sand and different weather conditions. This means children make progress in most areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have a sense of belonging. Babies appear to feel settled as the childminder is well aware of their needs and routines of rest, play and feeding times. Children learn social skills and enjoy being with adults and peers. However, they develop less knowledge and understanding of the wider world as they have limited access to the appropriate resources that promote equality of opportunity. The childminder discusses children’s individual needs with parents which enables her to provide suitable care. Children are involved in decision making when selecting play and taking part in household activities. The children are happy and well behaved. The childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour which takes into account children’s levels of understanding and maturity. They are encouraged to share with and respect others through her positive role model and example. Behaviour management is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed with parents through verbal communication and well documented policies. The children benefit from the childminder’s positive and professional relationship with parents which mean that children’s needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and at ease in an organised and safe environment. They benefit from welcoming premises where they feel secure and their individual needs are taken into account. The childminder regularly attends courses to update her knowledge of childcare issues. She holds a first aid certificate which is regularly updated. She has suitable arrangements to protect children and has undertaken relevant vetting procedures. Most of the childminder’s documents are maintained satisfactorily and stored

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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 appropriately to ensure confidentiality. They are readily available for inspection. However, the childminder does not retain the medication records for a reasonable period of time to ensure children’s welfare is promoted. Additional documentation is made available to parents relating to the childminder's qualifications, policies and information about the service provided. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to provide a suitable range of toys and equipment that promote diversity and equality of opportunity. So far she still has provided no equipment for this purpose. These issues are raised in this report as a recommendation.

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Complaints since the last inspection

‘There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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): • provide suitable arrangements for sleep, and ensure sleeping babies are safe and frequently checked • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice for each child • provide a suitable range of toys and equipment that promote diversity and equality of opportunity • ensure records relate to children are retained for a reasonable period of time.

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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 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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