Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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204687 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2006 Inspection date Diane Hancock Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 a registered childminder since 1995. She co-minds with her mother. She works from the home of her mother in a village near Upton. The children have access to the lounge, kitchen, an upstairs bedroom and bathroom. There is an enclosed front garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a dog. The childminder takes the children for local walks in the village. She has an early years qualification to National Vocation Qualification level two and previous experience of working in a day nursery. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. Currently they care for six children on roll, four of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene. There are good hand washing routines in place around meal times. She is proactive to ensure the good health of all the children and avoids cross contamination of potential infections and illnesses. An effective sick child policy is in place to ensure conjunctivitis and sickness is not spread. Good procedures are in place for when children become ill. The childminder has the necessary documentation in place to ensure children's health needs are met however she has previously not obtained parental consent on each occasion for administering medication which compromises children's health. Individual sleep routines and patterns are very well met to ensure children's good health. The children have good protection from the sun with the childminders application of sun cream and use of a gazebo.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy playing in the garden and going on local walks which contribute to their good physical health. Good use is made of the garden in particular during the summer months when there is a good range of activities and opportunities for picnics. The childminder places a high priority on fresh air and exercise. Children make good progress in their physical skills and confidence as they use different outdoor equipment. Babies make good progress in their physical development as they are given opportunities and support when learning to become mobile.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy the routine of sitting together, eating their packed lunch and snacks as a social activity. They develop some understanding of healthy eating and enjoy eating fruit. The childminder provides a good range of fruit on a daily basis ensuring a nutritious snack. Bottles and baby food are prepared in accordance with parents wishes. Babies have their individual feeding needs well respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe as they are cared for in an environment with good safety measures and procedures in place. They have a good awareness of safety as they learn about keeping safe when out in the garden near the swings and road safety. The childminder has developed emergency evacuation procedures which the children are familiar with. The children help tidy away toys to maintain a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good use is made of the different rooms for varying activities such as sleep, playing and creative activities for older children to ensure a safe environment for the children. Resources that are not suitable for babies are kept out of reach and the children have an understanding of keeping small parts away from babies and being mindful of their presence. Toys are stored in an organised and tidy manner. Equipment and toys are replaced and updated on a regular basis to maintain children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive close attention and adult supervision, helped by having two childminders present at all times. Good security measures are in place. The childminder has some awareness

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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 of child abuse and child protection procedures, however she lacks some knowledge of the precise procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child's care and she does not have the relevant information available, this therefore compromises children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy and enjoy attending the childminder's home. Children are very settled, many have attended since they were babies benefiting from the continuity of care and consistency. The childminder has a caring close relationship with the children and they respond well to this. The children form good friendships and relate very well together. The childminder knows the children very well, their personalities and abilities ensuring the children's individual needs are well met. Babies and toddlers routines are very well catered for, in particular individual sleep routines and patterns are well respected. Children are very secure with regular routines and structure to the day incorporating periods of rest, playing freely with toys, physical activity and structured activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and understands that children develop at different rates. Children develop creative skills as they enjoy drawing, play dough, making cards and craft activities with the childminder. Activities for babies would be further developed through use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Babies make good progress in their physical development through encouragement and opportunities to explore. Children enjoy playing with a good range of toys to promote their learning and development. The children have good imaginations as they enjoy playing with a wide range of resources such as the kitchen, dolls, phones and dressing up clothes. The childminder promotes the children's learning, for example of colours through play experiences and every day activities. Children are encouraged to be independent and develop good self care skills, for example as they learn to put their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

packed lunches away and get on and off chairs themselves. Children have good opportunities to self select toys from a good range of easily accessible resources and meet their individual preferences. Children make good progress in their speech encouraged by the childminders interaction and involvement in their play. Good use is made of the garden especially in the summer where children enjoy spending time outdoors with the equipment, their toys and having picnics.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a very good sense of belonging, many have been coming since they were babies and the children have grown up together ensuring security and consistency of care. The childminder knows the children well, individual time and attention is given to each child to ensure their needs are well met. Children develop good independence skills as they choose from a good range of resources. Individual preferences are well catered for and children have equal access to all toys. Good resources such as books and discussion encourages the children to have respect for each other and develop their understanding of the wider social world.

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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 The children are well behaved and respect the childminder's firm guidance, praise and encouragement. They respond well to her routines and positive strategies. The children play very well together, share and have good manners. The children are helpful and encouraged to tidy away.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good open and friendly relationships with the parents. They spend time discussing the care and development of the children and work well together to meet the children's needs. The childminder knows the parents views well and meets their wishes ensuring consistency of care, including use of the television, sleeping and eating. The childminder is supportive and provides advice when appropriate and discusses issues such as behaviour and toilet training. Parents are well informed at the end of the day through discussion and sometimes a written account of the children's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have very positive comments including the childminder puts the needs of the children first, spends time with them with a wide range of activities and the children are happy and make good progress in their development, social skills and pre-school learning. She is described as having a professional approach, caring, being approachable, providing advice and working together on issues such as behaviour. The childminder is flexible to cater for shift work, trustworthy, experienced, reliable and keeps them well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in a well-organised home with good resources and clear routines. The childminder spends time preparing the room, rotating toys and planning some creative activities. There is a well-organised environment with good use of rooms to ensure the children's different needs are met. There is an effective system for booking children in to ensure ratios are maintained. The childminder limits the numbers of children to ensure that she provides a good quality service for babies and pre-school age children.

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Organisation

Records are up to date and stored in an organised manner. Policies and documentation has recently been updated to meet requirements and improve the information given to parents.

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Organisation

The childminders work well together as a team to meet the needs of all the children. They have a good relationship and clear roles.

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Organisation

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 last inspection the childminder was asked to restock the first aid kit, plan and practise emergency evacuation, improve resources for children aged over three years, obtain consent for activities and prior consent from parents for administering medication. The first aid kit is maintained, emergency evacuation procedures are in place and practised and consent is obtained for activities ensuring the improvement of children's safety. Resources for pre-school age children have improved to develop children's play experiences. Prior consent from parents for

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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 administering medication has not been obtained however a new system has recently been put in place.

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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 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 from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' • develop your understanding of child protection procedures • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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