Price-Hunt Michelle Carole

Inspection report for early years provision

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255730 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2006 Inspection date Jennifer Turner 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 years. They live in a house in the Dudley area of the West Midlands, within walking distance to local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, together with two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 two children under five who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. She has an NVQ level 2 qualification in childcare.

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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's good health is appropriately protected because they are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and because the childminder provides anti-bacterial liquid soap. Her cleaning routines are thorough and preventative measures are in place to minimise the possible risk to children, for example, good food hygiene practices are in place. The risk of infection being passed on by other children is minimised because of the childminder's written policy that she shares with parents. They know if their child has an infectious illness that should not attend and that they will be contacted and asked to collect their child if they become ill. However parents are not given detailed information when medication has been administered to their children. Children's best interests are served in the event of accidents because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate having attended training in March 2006.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known by the childminder even though some parents provide meals for their children. The childminder ensures that when she provides meals for the children they are offered healthy, well balanced meals which she checks for additives. Children are kept hydrated because they have regular drinks throughout the day and older children are able to help themselves. Children's emotional well-being is assured as the childminder arranges a gradual settling in period enabling the children to feel secure and settled. Children are developing physical skills and confidence with play equipment in the garden where they are able to ride bikes or play ball games such as mini-golf or football. Children also enjoy their time at the local park where they regularly go to feed the ducks and 'Cheeky Monkeys' the adventure play centre they love to visit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, eat and sleep in good, safe and healthy premises. The main playroom is the family sitting room and the dining area of the kitchen. There is direct access to the back garden from the kitchen which they have regular access to. Children are safe because their toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised because they play in a safe environment and learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they "stop, look and listen" when crossing the road and know they should not talk to strangers. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimised because she has identified and appropriately addressed most potential hazards. For example, smoke alarms are fitted on both levels and are checked, sockets are covered, kitchen knives and hazardous substances are inaccessible. Children are not sufficiently secure in their understanding of the fire procedure because although the childminder has a detailed policy and has discussed it with them, they have not had an opportunity to put it into practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures.

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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 happy and settled. They are cared for as individuals with different developmental needs and the childminder ensures that a good variety of activities and resources are available for all. She is currently caring for children aged under five years of age. Routines are consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Young children naturally learn to recognise numbers, colours and shapes during their play. They enjoy art and craft activities and are developing their creative skills as they paint, make hand prints or create patterns using sponges. Painting and outdoor activities such as bug hunting in the garden are favourite activities of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities inside the home include imaginative and domestic play, creative and messy play, baking and use of books, puzzles and construction toys. During the school holiday children visit Stourport and enjoy their time playing crazy golf or developing physical skills at the park, toddler groups and soft play centres. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' as she plans and assesses their progress and development using the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children choose from a good range of books and toys that reflect diversity and are learning to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. The childminder has drawn up policies on equal opportunities and special needs and ensures that all children are valued and included. The equal opportunities policy identifies that the childminder will, 'respond to the individuality of each child' and that children will 'develop positive attitudes to people different from themselves'. Children have many opportunities to learn about their own and other cultures through activities organised by the childminder to acknowledge different festivals such as Diwali, where they made diva candles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is very well fostered. A behaviour management policy emphasises positive expectations for behaviour and children treating each other with respect. The childminder values children and she ensure that they know this through the constant praise and encouragement she gives them. She enjoys her role and talks passionately about the pleasure she gets from caring for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are fully known by the childminder. Written information for parents is good and includes a file containing policies and procedures and qualification and training certificates. Displayed information includes the complaints procedures, certificate of registration and first aid certificate. Children's emotional security is addressed well and begins with a gradual introduction for each 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. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Daily routines are consistent and activities are varied. Children's independence is developing well, activities are organised to meet different needs and thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that individual needs are met.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and confidentiality is addressed well. Written information is good as policies have been drawn up for parents, attendance registers and daily diaries for each child are kept. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving her skills and knowledge through regular training. She holds an early years qualification and has attended training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework. All required records are kept in good order and up to date.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions with regards to the smoke alarms on the premises and by ensuring that the children are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures. She has addressed this by fitting smoke alarms on both levels of the property and has discussed the emergency evacuation procedures with the children. She was also asked to keep a detailed record of significant issues to share with parents. She now keeps a daily diary sheet in which she records children daily routines, such as children's sleep times, meals eaten and activities done during the day. These are shared with parents to ensure they know what their children have done throughout the day.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 the system for recording when medication has been given to the children • ensure that the children know what to do in an emergency by practising the evacuation procedure.

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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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