Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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210305 Unique Reference Number 01 August 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 20 years. They live in a bungalow in Burntwood where there are shops and an open wood within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. 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 eight children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of their quality assurance scheme.

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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. Very good hygiene routines ensure that babies and children's health is protected. For example, the childminder wipes the high chair after each use and ensures that the toys and equipment are clean and safe. The childminder has a good understanding of medication and accident recording. Records are in place and are very 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. All required written consents are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet because the childminder ensures that their food is nutritious. She prepares fresh food for children and babies which includes a good selection of healthy meals and snacks. For example, the childminder provides fresh organic fruit, soup and side salad and tuna bake and fresh vegetables. Children are offered drinks throughout the day. Younger children can ask for their cups which are kept in sight and older children can help themselves from a water dispenser when they are thirsty. The childminder adheres to parents wishes and any special dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a safe outdoor area where they enjoy playing in the fresh air. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Indoor and outdoor activities help them develop control of their bodies, for example older children run across the field on their way home for school, younger children play on the swing and sea-saw and ride bikes in the garden. Trips to the local park also help children to make good progress with their physical skills. The childminder is using 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan for physical play for babies and young children. For example, babies are encouraged to pull themselves up to standing on the furniture and to crawl to find their toys.

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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 minimised and they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are supervised at all times and the childminder does regular checks of 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 of the importance of staying safe and the precautions they can take to protect themselves. For example, children know what they must do in the event of an emergency evacuation as these are practised regularly. Children take part in a safety week which includes a sponsored 'Beep Beep' day when the children practise crossing the roads in the area. This helps children to develop an awareness of how to keep themselves

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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 an excellent 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 very 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 and appropriate responses to abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children experience a positive, warm relationship with the childminder, which increases their sense of trust and well-being. Children gain very good levels of self-esteem and confidence through meaningful praise and encouragement from the childminder. The childminder makes effective use of 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan activities to enhance younger children's all round development. She uses the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage to help plan appropriate and stimulating activities for older children. She undertakes regular observations of the children to help her plan for their next steps in learning. Her understanding of how children learn through play and the level of support she offers means that children are confident to try out new skills and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are using resources and equipment that are stimulating and fun to maintain their interest. For example, babies explore sensory materials, and treasure baskets that contain various natural materials such as, wooden spoons and curtain hooks. Children are able to develop their imagination and independence by selecting their own activities and initiating their own play. They enjoy dressing up and singing songs. They experience a very wide range of activities both inside and outside the home including making cakes and learning how to count and recognise numbers through everyday activities. They listen to stories and enjoy exploring the story sacks that the childminder has prepared. Children excitedly open the sack and act out the story of 'The Leopards Drum' using the props inside. They are learning about the world around them as they plant sunflower seeds and a 'butterfly garden' and listen to the birds in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the garden. Children benefit from a wide variety of outings including nature walks and visits to the local library to choose books and to attend theme days such as 'Pirates.'

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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. The childminder has a very good understanding of child development. This means that children's personal, social, emotional and intellectual development is very well supported.

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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

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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 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 and resources to increase children's awareness of diversity. For example, the childminder plans activities to celebrate Chinese New Year and provides dressing up clothes from other cultures. She provides posters of positive images of special needs and gender roles around the play room to further children's understanding of others. 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

Children benefit from the positive relationships with parents and the childminder 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 on a notice board and shared daily in a diary to ensure that they are aware of the provision and activities that their child has undertaken. They also receive a termly newsletter to inform them of the topics for the coming weeks and any training courses that the childminder has attended. The childminder has a clear complaints procedure which is displayed for parents to see and includes the details of the regulator so that parents know how they can complain. However, the procedure has not been updated in line with the Addendum to the National Standards 2005. This means parents are not fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's needs are met very effectively through the excellent use of space and resources. Their care is enhanced by efficient and very effective organisation. The childminder has a routine and prepares for each session with relevant age-appropriate resources. Free play, messy time, story time, outings and outdoor play are included to ensure children have a good balance of educational and developmental experiences. Children are able to access an excellent range of 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, in place, are used well in practice and are efficiently organised. This promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. The childminder provides many comprehensive 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

The childminder has much experience and knowledge of caring for children. Her supportive manner ensures children feel at home and at ease. She is enthusiastic to learn and continues

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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 to attend a broad range of training courses to ensure she is aware of current childcare practice and regulation requirements. She is pro-active in using her new skills to enhance the care she provides for children. For example she makes treasure baskets and story sacks after having attended courses on these subjects. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering any medication to children and to ensure confidentiality is maintained within the accident records.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To address these issues the childminder obtains written permission before administering any medication to children and the parents sign the record to acknowledge that the medication has been given. All accidents are recorded and confidentiality is maintained as each accident and incident is recorded separately and parents sign to say they have been informed.

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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): • update and implement the complaints procedure in line with the Addendum to the National Standards (October 2005)

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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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