Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315778 Inspection date 29 June 2006 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and three children aged fourteen, twelve and five in Dudley, West Midlands. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder drives to local schools 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 childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a kitten and cockatiel.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is protected and the risks of cross infection are minimised because the childminder uses effective procedures and practices to promote good hygiene such as good nappy changing routines and ensuring she maintains a clean environment for the children by the use of antibacterial spays to clean table before snacks and meals. Older children are helped to understand the importance of good health and how to promote it through well established routines such as encouraging them to wash their hands before meals, after toileting and after playing outdoors. Effective procedures for the care of sick children are in place, however parental consents for emergency medical treatment or advice are not readily available ,this does not ensure that the best interests of children will be met in the event of an emergency. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

has a good understanding of healthy eating and children are able to choose from a range of healthy snacks and drinks, for example, fruit and low sugar drinks. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively, these are discussed in detail with parents, and specific dietary needs are recorded. Children's physical skills are developing well, they enjoy outdoor play as part of their routine, for example, visits to the local park, carer and toddler groups and fun children’s venues where they can run and play enable the children to take part in more physical play. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Sleep routines are discussed with parents and appropriate arrangements are made; this contributes to their good health and physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where risks have been identified and minimised. They are able to move around safely, freely and independently within the home. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, fire drills are practised with the children. There are good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children, for example, main doors are kept secure and passwords used if children are to be collected by persons unknown to the childminder. Children have their developmental needs met well because the childminder has a good awareness of child development, and gives a high priority to the condition and safety of equipment. She carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. They are able

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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 to self-select from a comprehensive range of toys which are clean and safety checked as they are used and put away which positively promotes children’s independence. Children’s welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who is very knowledgeable about child protection and has all the required procedures and documents in place. She has attended child protection training and is fully aware of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care. She is able to put appropriate procedures into place where necessary and knows who to contact if she has any concerns, this ensures children are protected from possible harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy confident and well-settled in the childminder's home. They are able to initiate their own activities inside and outside of the home that promote all areas of their development. Children benefit from being able to self-select from the good wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources promoting their confidence and independence. Their self-esteem is being built upon through the childminder offering lots of encouragement and support when needed. The children are able to access a range of outdoor play equipment which is helping to develop their physical skills, for example, wheeled toys and large play equipment is used when visiting the children’s play arena. All children spend their time purposefully. They benefit from regular visits outside of the home and have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play together and meet and socialise with other children at toddler groups. Children are made aware of the local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

community, for example, through visits to the local park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is increased by them being able to access a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. The children and the childminder play together using, for example, books and small world figures that show positive images of race and gender. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are able to make decisions and initiate their own play which enhances their time spent with the childminder. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have special needs the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents. Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour because the childminder deploys effective and consistent ways for dealing with children’s behaviour. These

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Helping children make a positive contribution

include realistic expectations of children’s behaviour and the use of effective

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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 strategies for behaviour management such as time out, discussion and distraction. They behave well and play together, learning to share and take turns and to show care for others. This is due to the childminder using praise and encouragement throughout their daily routine to encourage positive behaviour. Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder takes time to find out about specific needs through the use of contracts and the recording of individual daily routines. Children's welfare is promoted by a regular exchange of information between parents and childminder, for example, through the use of daily diaries and daily discussion. A full and informative complaints policy is shared with parents, however the childminder is not aware of the new procedure and format to log

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Helping children make a positive contribution

complaints, resulting in parents not receiving up to date information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has appropriate qualifications and experience to enable her to child mind. She is enthusiastic about developing her childcare skills and knowledge to enable her to further improve the quality of care that she currently offers. The childminder has a good understanding of the national standards and takes positive steps to ensure that persons who have contact with the children are suitable have satisfactorily completed the relevant vetting procedure. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care where they initiate and extend their own play and learning, they feel at home and at ease within the well-organised environment. The effective organisation of space and time ensures children’s play opportunities are maximised and their individual needs are consistently met. Most documentation is adequately maintained however entries in the children’s attendance record lack significant details and parental consent for seeking

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Organisation

emergency medical advice and treatment is not available for all children. These impact on the safety and continuity in the children’s care. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure that written parental permission is in place for the seeking of emergency medical treatment • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken. • ensure that attendance records accurately reflect children's daily attendance.

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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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