Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY295691 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and child aged eight years in Tunstall in Stoke-on-Trent, close to local shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a guinea pig and budgerigar. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She attends a toddler group on a regular basis and takes and collects children to and from a local

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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 school in Stoke-on-Trent.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help children develop a clear understanding of when and why they need to wash their hands. Young children have their hands wiped after using the potty and before eating their meals and methods implemented for nappy changing reduce the risk of cross contamination. The clear procedures in place for infectious children help limit the spread of infection and help children to keep healthy. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs. Children help themselves to drinks and a varied and nutritional diet is provided throughout the day in order that children develop a healthy approach to eating. They rest and sleep according to their needs and the childminder has a good knowledge of the children's individual routines, which are incorporated every day,

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Helping children to be healthy

helping the child to settle. Importance is placed by the childminder on ensuring children are able to play outside in the fresh air. Children are taken regularly to local parks and an activity centre where they are encouraged to develop their physical skills and develop a healthy lifestyle.

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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 safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are able to sit up safely with protection in case they topple over and as they get older they learn that they should not climb on the furniture as they may fall, which helps them stay safe. Good awareness and supervision by the childminder as they play, encourages their independence well and protects them from harm. However, procedures to ensure fire evacuation can take place safely are not fully implemented and may leave children at risk. The home is well-maintained and offers good space and a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment. Children independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys, which are suitable for the age range of children attending. Toys are organised in low storage boxes and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

shelving to allow easy access and help create a stimulating environment for children to make their own choices about their play. The childminder's secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures ensures children are protected from harm or neglect.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident and approach the childminder for their needs, which are met well or in the case of younger children the childminder demonstrates good awareness of signs that they require something. Children enjoy close physical contact and relate well to the childminder, giving lots of smiles and verbalisation. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups and activity centres. The introduction of new words and imitation of sounds is helping children to develop their language skills appropriately. The varied range of activities provided indoors and out promotes children's learning and achievements, helps them to develop their curiosity as learners and maintains their interest well. Children are happy and enjoy exploring the easily accessible toys and equipment, listening to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sounds the toys make as they move them around, using the hammer to bang the nails and building with the shapes. Children's creative, sensory and imaginary skills are developed through using their fingers and feet to explore paint and using glue to make their pictures, although they do not often explore natural objects from the environment. The childminder has sent for a pack of the Birth to Three Matters framework and this could be used to extend this area of her practice. She is in the process of implementing progress records for the children and will review these on a regular basis to help the children achieve their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are met well as the childminder follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents and children are very settled. Clear behaviour management methods implemented by the childminder help children develop their understanding of what is right and wrong and they respond well to the boundaries set, sitting down on the settee rather than climbing and standing on it. Children develop high levels of self-esteem, enjoying the constant use of praise and encouragement given to them as they try to achieve different tasks, for example, building a tower of blocks and saying 'ta' for the toy. They show care for each other, giving a kiss to the younger child, and play together harmoniously. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through visits out into the local community and there are some resources to promote a positive view of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

different cultures. The childminder intends to extend these in the future to promote positive images of disability and gender as the children get older. This will help to raise their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Good methods are in place to develop the partnership with parents with detailed written information given on how the setting operates and relevant written consent obtained for all procedures. Children's well-being and how their needs are met during the day are recorded in a home book for the child. This enables the childminder and parents to work together to meet the needs of the child.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. They are confident to choose their own activities and develop their own play and learning with good support from the childminder to help them feel secure. The childminder places great importance on developing her knowledge of childcare issues. She has a level three childcare qualification and is keen to develop her practice further through taking part in a quality assurance scheme. This will enable her to broaden children's experiences and will contribute to the quality of care provided. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well-informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children

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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): • improve fire safety precautions to raise children's awareness of the fire evacuation procedure and ensure children can be evacuated safely • continue to develop and extend children's sensory skills with opportunities to explore natural objects, for example by using the Birth to Three Matters

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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 framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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