Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY218577 Unique Reference Number 21 July 2006 Inspection date Ann Winifred Harrison 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and one son aged 16 years in Hednesford. The whole of the ground floor 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children aged from nine months to 10 years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats. 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 good. Children benefit from being cared for in a very clean, well-organised home. They learn the importance of hygiene through daily routines, they wash their hands before eating and after toileting. They know that germs may make them poorly. Independence is encouraged, as older children access the bathroom independently and choose to use their own towels or paper towels. This promotes their self care and reduces the risk of cross-infection. The childminder is well informed about healthcare and she ensures children are protected from the sun. On hot days children play in the shade outdoors and suncream is applied. Children know that when it is hot they do not play in the conservatory as it is too warm and they happily bring toys into the dining room to play and help them remain cool.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of medication and accident recording. Records are in place and are well maintained. Procedures in case of illness and who to contact in case of emergencies are fully detailed. This information helps to ensure appropriate action is taken to care for children who become ill. However, not all children have written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and this compromises their welfare in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met in partnership with parents. The childminder provides nutritional snacks and meals which include sandwiches and fresh fruit. She encourages them to drink fresh drinking water and explains to the children that they must take in extra fluids during warm weather. This contributes to children's good health and helps them to develop an awareness of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise. They regularly play in the garden where they can run around and play on items such as a trampoline. They are taken to the park and when the weather is poor the children join in with music and action rhymes indoors. These types of activities help to develop children's physical skills.

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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 very secure, safe environment where potential risks are identified and minimised. This means that children's risk of accidental injury is limited and they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder has installed CCTV cameras so that she can check sleeping children to ensure they remain safe. Children's awareness of safety is promoted through their everyday activities within the home and while on outings. The childminder reminds the children the importance of staying safe and the precautions they can take to protect themselves. For example, all children are taught road safety and asked to wear sensible shoes or trainers when visiting the park. Older children know what they must do in the event of an emergency evacuation exercise, and these are practised regularly. This helps children to develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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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 benefit from having good access to a wide range of toys which are age-appropriate and of good quality. This enables children to choose the direction of their play and helps to develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive range of procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted including a policy on collection of children and procedures for taking children on outings. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which ensures any injuries are dealt with appropriately. She has a very good understanding of child protection procedures and is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and appropriate responses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled at the childminder's house and with her family. They eagerly communicate to make their needs known and show pleasure and pride in their achievements. Children play happily together. Their routines are well established and children know what happens at certain times of the day. They are able to develop their imagination and independence by selecting their own activities and initiating their own play. For example, playing with construction, dressing up and looking at books. The childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide stimulating activities for babies and young children. For example, babies explore bright musical toys which help develop their senses. Older children are able to access craft activities of their choice, for example they make collages of themselves and compare their heights.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a positive warm relationship with the childminder, which increases their sense of trust and well-being. They are well supported by the childminder who is skilled at listening and talking to them. They play with a special toy called Bo Bo the monkey, which helps children show their feelings if they are happy or sad. Children enjoy listening to stories and singing songs and rhymes. They play games with the childminder such as, babies knocking down a tower of bricks. Children benefit from a variety of outings including parks and the local coal mining museum. The childminder has a good understanding of child development. This means that children's personal, social, emotional and intellectual development is well supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's communication skills are encouraged through positive adult-child interactions. Babies are cuddled and the childminder responds to their sounds with smiles, talking and maintaining lots of eye contact. They benefit from routines which are consistent with home. Young babies and children use all their senses to explore equipment and resources which are placed at their level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder takes care to include all children and shares her time appropriately between them. Children are developing good self-esteem because the childminder values and rewards their individual efforts

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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 through consistent verbal praise and encouragement. Children are learning to behave appropriately. There are clear expectations and rules contributing to children feeling secure knowing what they can and cannot do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, the childminder plans activities to celebrate Chinese New Year and provides dressing up clothes from other cultures. During the football world cup children made flags and designed wheelchairs and crutches and discussed access to buildings for disabled people. Currently, there are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities but the childminder has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to meet the individual needs of all children very well. Parents are made welcome in the setting. Information is displayed and shared daily in a diary to ensure that they are aware of the provision and activities that their child has undertaken.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met effectively through the good use of space and resources. Their care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has a routine and prepares for each session with relevant age-appropriate resources. Free play, messy time, play and learn and outdoor play are included to ensure children have a good balance of educational and developmental experiences. Children are able to access resources and toys to initiate their own play and learning because the childminder has organised all toys and resources in children's reach.

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Organisation

All policies, records and procedures are in place and are used well in practice. This promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. The childminder provides a number of written policies and procedures which ensure parents are well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder attending regular training to ensure she is aware of current childcare practice and regulation requirements. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure children's daily attendance is recorded accurately; to ensure records of medicines administered to children are dated and obtain parental signatures for each dose; to obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle and for emergency medical treatment or advice and to raise awareness of the Government booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused – Summary'.

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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 To address these issues the childminder now ensures that children's attendance is recorded accurately by completing a daily register for all children showing the time of arrival and departure. She obtains dated, written parental permission for all medication administered and parents sign the record to acknowledge that the required medication has been given. The childminder has written consent for transporting all children in a vehicle but not all parents have given written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and this is carried forward to this inspection. The childminder is fully aware of the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary' and is aware of the procedures to follow. This ensures children are fully protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all 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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