Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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209423 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2006 Inspection date Shirley Amanda Wilkes 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 15 and 13 years. They live in a house in Stafford within walking distance of local shops and a park. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a pet cat. There are currently six children on roll who attend on a part time basis

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene policies and procedures. For example, she has a policy on sickness which is shared with parents. The implementation of this prevents the spread of infection and ensures there are arrangements in place to care for children if they become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a satisfactory understanding of the importance of health and hygiene through the childminder participating in activities which promote this knowledge. Children follow routines of personal hygiene and young children know when it is appropriate to wash their hands, for example, after going to the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is encouraged. Children's needs are met satisfactorily their independence is developing and they are confident to help themselves to their own drink that is always kept readily available in individual cups. Children have the opportunity to develop their physical skills and enjoy a healthy lifestyle through regular outdoor play, using climbing frame and various outdoor toys. Children also benefit from daily walks to and from the local school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. 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 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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder having a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. She is able to put necessary procedures into practice if needed and acts in the best interest of the children at all times. All the required procedures and documents are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. 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

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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 self-esteem is being built upon through the childminder offering lots of encouragement and support when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to access a range of outdoor play equipment which is helping to develop their physical skills, for example, wheeled toys, climbing frame. All children spend their time purposefully. Children benefit from regular visits outside of the home. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play together and meet and socialise with other children at toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are adequately met. The childminder takes time to find out about specific needs through the use of contracts and the recording of children's individual needs. Children's welfare is promoted by a regular exchange of information between parents and childminder, for example, through the use of daily discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children 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. They are able to make decisions and initiate their own play which enhances their time spent with the childminder. Although there are no children with special needs currently attending the setting, the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are not sufficiently learning about the diversity of the world as the childminder lacks resources and a positive knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities. Children's awareness of their local community is enhanced by them visiting the local carer and toddler group and during walks to and from the local school.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's self-confidence is promoted well through the space available being used appropriately to offer children an environment in which they can play freely and safely. The childminder organises her time effectively to enable her to offer sufficient adult support in which children can be settled and secure.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that most paperwork is up to date and in place for children. However, not all children's records contain emergency contact details. The register is kept up to date and accurately records the children's time of arrival and departure. All paper work is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. 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 recommendations were raised to ensure that the childminder maintains an accurate record of children's attendance, keeps written records of existing injuries to children,

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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 obtains written consent to administer medication and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, and to ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An accurate record is now maintained of the children's arrival and departure times, existing injuries are recorded and signed by parents. The childminder now seeks written permission from parents to administer medication and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Parents are made aware of the complaints procedure at their initial visit.

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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and ensure that children have access to a broad range of resources which reflect diversity • ensure all children's records contain emergency contact details.

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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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