Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259042 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2006 Inspection date Patricia Webb 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 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and their two children aged thirteen years and six years. They live in a house on the outskirts of Stafford. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding including the toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll some of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are developing an understanding of following effective personal hygiene routines. The childminder takes time to gently remind them about hand washing and care is taken when preparing the baby's high chair for him to have finger snacks as antibacterial wipes are used to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Whilst the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and attends to minor injuries effectively, some of these are not always entered in the accident record. This hinders how parents are informed of some incidents and how on-going effects are monitored for individual children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are carefully addressed following receipt of detailed information from parents. Any allergies, intolerances or personal preferences are adhered to in order to maintain children's good health. They enjoy a balanced and nutritious range of meals and snacks prepared by the childminder as they sit together round the table developing social skills and chatting happily. They ask for favourite fresh fruit, vegetables and drinks confident that their requests will be met.

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Helping children to be healthy

They participate in a variety of activities that raise their awareness of being healthy and keeping fit. They enjoy using the sturdy well-secured equipment in the garden for developing skills in balancing, climbing and swinging. A keen understanding of child development results in the childminder providing a range of tools and implements that are suitable for the ages and stages of the children attending such as chunky colouring pencils and brushes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle easily on arrival in the clean, safe and well-maintained family focused environment. They use the space available on the ground floor with familiarity and have areas set aside to engage in active play or quiet activity as they choose. Younger toddlers or babies can have a quieter area when a travel cot is sited in the conservatory. They enjoy accessing the fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of good quality toys and equipment as the childminder takes time to consider ages and stages of the children she cares for and ensures that activities and resources are safe and clean for all abilities and interests. Children make their choices about their play from a selection presented daily by the childminder depending on which children attend on a particular day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an awareness of their own safety as they consider what resources they can have out when younger children are present such as being mindful of small construction if a baby is crawling nearby. They also know that when out walking they have to hold the pushchair and that reins and wrist straps are used to ensure that younger children are safe. Simple but effective visual risk assessments are carried out daily to reduce hazards to the

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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 children. Security in the home is a priority as the childminder ensures that routine arrangements prevent children leaving the premises unsupervised and reduce the risk of unauthorised entry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected because the childminder has a basic awareness of child protection. She is aware of some signs and symptoms and has the relevant government guidelines readily available. However it has been some time since she updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection and her current practice does not take account of recent changes to procedures within the local authority as they move to setting up Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs). This hinders how effectively and swiftly some concerns are handled.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children participate in a wide range of activities particularly in art and craft. They enjoy the interaction they have with the childminder as she guides and encourages them to try new skills and games. Children initiate conversation with their peers and other adults as they chat and discuss their activities and how they have made fridge magnets. Older children delight in the making of money boxes from papier mache in order to save money for their forthcoming holidays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are beginning to get involved in some messy play as they squish the paper pulp and manipulate dough. They develop early communication skills as they respond to smiles, facial expressions and quiet, calm chatter from the childminder. She encourages children to leave the television in favour of more purposeful activity that extends their learning and development. Younger children progress well in developing crawling and early walking skills because the childminder uses resources effectively such as musical and moveable toys to attract their attention and encourage interest. Babies squeal with delight as they react to the pop-up toys that surprise them and help to develop their hand and eye co-ordination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are appropriately met as the childminder takes time to discuss specific requirements with parents. She is familiar with the children and responds to their requests effectively. Strong relationships are fostered between the children and the childminder's family. Minded children enjoy playing with the childminder's children and husband, seeking them out for engaging in activity and conversation. They are developing an awareness of their community and the wide world around them as they celebrate some festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. They speak happily about having made dragon fridge magnets and taking them home to share with their families. Whilst there are some resources that reflect positive images of the diversity of society and children access them freely, images of disability are limited. This hinders how children learn about the differing needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there are currently no children with learning difficulties or disabilities attending, the childminder is aware of the importance of observation and involving parents should she have any concerns regarding a child's progress. She is aware of the need to approach parents in a

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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 sensitive manner and discuss working in partnership with other professionals if necessary to offer consistency for the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is suitably managed as the childminder is aware of ages and stages of the children and that some behaviour results from their frustrations as they develop. For example, tantrums and outbursts of dissatisfaction are dealt with calmly. She takes time to speak on a one to one basis, reducing the risk of embarrassment for children when they are being reminded about the consequences of their actions. The involvement of parents in developing consistent strategies is hampered because there is no system in place for recording any significant incidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A friendly and positive partnership with parents helps to foster a sense of trust. This contributes to an effective exchange of information ensuring that the childminder cares for the children in accordance with parents wishes. They are informed verbally on a daily basis about the child's routines and activities. They are encouraged to approach the childminder should they have any concerns although there is no format yet drafted for maintaining a log of parents' complaints as required under the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care, welfare and well-being are satisfactorily addressed. The childminder is friendly and offers a calm and relaxed environment where they are settled, happy and at home. She is organised and ensures that all records and paperwork are maintained confidentially. The registration certificate is currently kept in a portfolio rather than displayed for parents and visitors to see easily.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's organisation and skill in managing a range of ages and interests. They relate positively to her quiet nature and approach whilst still being effectively cared for and helped to progress in their learning and development.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has made some improvements to develop her service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are made aware of the emergency evacuation procedures although not all children actually participate in practical drills. This is due to some younger, less confident children becoming upset during the process and the childminder addresses these apprehensions carefully.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Attendance records are now completed with times of arrival and departure noted. These records are kept in a daily diary and transferred to the formal register weekly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now engage in a range of activities that promote a positive outlook on the diversity of their world. Games and resources are offered without stereotyping or gender bias and children are developing a balanced view of their world as they celebrate various festivals.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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 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 that all accidents, however minor, are recorded and parents are informed • develop knowledge of child protection procedures • extend the range for resources promoting positive images of disability • devise a format for recording any incidents and the logging of complaints • display the registration certificate

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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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