Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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209481 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Margaret Webster 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two grown up children in the village of Wombourne in South Staffordshire. The whole ground floor and the bathroom upstairs 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five part-time and nine child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has one rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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. There are good procedures in place for ensuring that children's health and hygiene is promoted well. The environment that children use is clean, tidy and well-maintained. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own personal hygiene, for example, through routines for toileting, keeping hands and faces clean after eating and discussion about the importance of keeping clean. There are appropriate procedures in place for ensuring that parents are informed about administration of medication and about any accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good access to outdoor activities, fresh air and light. They can independently access the garden as they wish during the better weather and enjoy using the wheeled toys, see saw, bikes and scooter. In addition, they walk frequently and have access to local activity areas to ensure they have opportunities to run, balance and climb on more challenging equipment to help develop their physical skills. Structured activities such as using playdough and colouring with pens encourages their manipulative skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily from the choice provided by the childminder. All the meals have a balance of vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. The childminder's good awareness of likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements helps children to eat well and in line with parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The space that children use is organised well to suit the children's needs and this allows them to move around safely both indoors and outdoors. Children enjoy a good range of resources and equipment which are all stored efficiently, in storage boxes allowing children to easily see what is available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good procedures in place for ensuring that children remain secure in this environment. For example, the property is secure, regular fire drills are carried out and the fire blanket is in place. Children are supervised very well whilst being given the independence they need to develop and learn. Children are well protected as the childminder has attended short courses on child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow if making a referral. This protects the children and keeps them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily access a good range of toys, activities and resources within an environment that encourages them to make choices about what they want to do. They enjoy cooking, art and craft activities and painting. Children's overall development is promoted very well through appropriately structured activities, in addition to plentiful opportunities to engage in valuable child-initiated play with positive encouragement and interaction from the childminder. The

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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 introduction of the 'Birth to three matters' evaluation system will enable children's progress to be formally monitored.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are comfortable, happy, confident and content in the childminder's care. They have a good relationship with her and play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self-esteem is supported very well through a wealth of positive praise and encouragement of independence and choice. They know the simple rules of the setting and these are consistently reinforced where appropriate by the childminder. They enjoy an environment which supports a respectful ethos and good manners. Kindness and sharing is encouraged and this all helps to ensure that they are confident, happy and content in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management techniques are age-appropriate and are used in a way that children can understand. The clear policy outlines this for parents and the older children. The childminder is very aware of children's likes and dislikes and accommodates children's individual routines and specific needs well within the routine of the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a range of resources, toys and activities which helps them to develop an understanding of diversity and the world around them. Examples include books, jigsaws, dressing up clothes and posters displayed. Trips out in the local environment and wider community and visitors into the setting help to ensure that children develop a sound awareness of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is very good with a strong emphasis on a friendly, supportive and family ethos. Procedures are effective in ensuring that children are cared for in line with parent's wishes and in a calm and consistent manner. Clear and detailed policies, clear information for parents and verbal feedback on collection ensure that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Most paperwork is well-organised and maintained in line with requirements. However, she has not obtained signed permission from the parents for emergency medical treatment. Lack of the parents permission compromises the children safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminding space is well-organised so that children have use of rooms which are child-orientated, comfortable and homely. The older children can enjoy a quieter space where they can participate in favourite activities. Younger children have good access to age-appropriate toys and resources in a stimulating environment.

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Organisation

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 to be cared for in an environment which is interesting, stimulating, exciting and child-orientated whilst still remaining welcoming, homely and comfortable. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the pervious inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all medication and the accident book were signed and up to date. She has all her records and the accident book, both signed and up to date. However, she was also asked to obtain signed permission from the parents for emergency medical treatment, this remains a recommendation for this inspection. Lack of this consent puts the children health and well-being at risk. A selection of toys and equipment that reflect diversity and anti-discriminatory practices have been provided and this enables the children to become aware of the wider world around them and the different ways that people live. The childminder has purchased a new fire blanket and it is easily accessible on the wall in the kitchen. She was also asked to ensure that the premises were safe and secure and to practise the emergency escape plan. The house and the outside play area are secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The back gate has a lock on it and the keys to the house are kept near to the patio doors. She has practised the emergency evacuation procedures with the children. This ensures that the children are safe and protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 the parents for emergency medical treatment.

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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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