Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318119 Inspection date 01 September 2006 Inspector Jasvinder Kaur

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and 12 years. They live in Dudley in the West Midlands. The whole ground floor and a bedroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one child over five on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to 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, parks and shops. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illness. They stay healthy because the childminder takes positive steps to promote good hygiene through organised activities and a healthy lifestyle. Accident records are well maintained and shared with parents who countersign all entries. The childminder is well aware of the necessity of keeping records of medication administered to children. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after eating and at frequent intervals during the day. They are encouraged to brush their teeth twice a day. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which cater for their individual needs. They enjoy freshly cooked meals, vegetables, fruits and drinks at

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Helping children to be healthy

meal and snack times. They understand which foods are good and not good for them and say ‘sugar is bad for our teeth’. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents, and their wishes are respected. Children develop their physical skills through a good range of indoor and outdoor play activities. They enjoy playing in the park and at their local facilities. This ensures that all children including babies get fresh air and keep physically fit. There are suitable arrangements for rest and sleep according to children’s individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children feel secure as the childminders provide a welcoming and safe environment. Space is used appropriately and creatively both in the house and in the garden. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment which enables them to develop their learning skills. The resources are well organised to provide free choice to encourage children's independence. Children are encouraged to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe both indoors and on outings. Safety issues are highlighted in house rules. The good organisation of toys and equipment enables children to move around safely in the house and garden. Children, including the babies, are well aware of out-of-bound areas. It is ensured that children are supervised at all times. However, the electric socket in the lounge and the drain in the garden are not made inaccessible or safe to children. This means children are not sufficiently safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of their role in child protection. She has attended the relevant training

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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 and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children show interest and happily take part in a wide range of good quality activities and play opportunities. They are confident in the setting and positively interact with the childminder and her family members. This creates a family oriented environment and helps them to feel at home. The childminder responds well to their individual needs. Children develop their self-esteem by trying new activities and facing challenges in a safe environment. They are involved in first hand activities such as cooking and making cakes. They choose particular colours and use ideas involving folding paper to produce a whole butterfly. Children make good progress through a variety of learning experiences which develop their language, mathematical thinking, imagination and social skills. For example older children read stories to the younger children. Babies show interest in illustrations and prints in books. All children sing nursery rhymes and whistling the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tunes of songs. Babies respond to the rhythms of songs and join in with body movements and saying odd words that’s stand out. Children are confident and happily engage adults in conversation talking about their family and personal experiences. Babies use isolated words to communicate with those known well to them. Children recognise numbers and willingly count every day objects and toys. This helps children to make good progress in most areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a sense of belonging. They appeared to be settled as the childminder is well aware of their needs. The babies are provided with set routines of rest, play and feeding times which helps them to feel secure. All children learn social skills and enjoy being with adults and peers. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world through appropriate resources that promote equality of opportunity. The childminder discusses children’s individual needs with parents which enables her to provide suitable care. Children are involved in decision making when selecting play and taking part in household activities. The children are happy and confident as the childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour which takes into account children’s levels of understanding and maturity. They are encouraged to share with and respect others through her positive role model and example. Behaviour management is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed with parents through verbal communication and well documented policies. The children benefit from the childminder’s positive and professional relationship with parents which mean that children’s needs are met.

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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 The organisation is good. Children are at ease in an organised and safe environment. They benefit from welcoming premises where they feel secure and their individual needs are taken into account. The childminder regularly attends courses to update her knowledge of childcare issues. She holds a first aid certificate which is regularly updated. She has suitable arrangements to protect children and has undertaken relevant vetting procedures. This ensures that children receive appropriate care. All of the childminder’s documents are maintained and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality. Documents are readily available for inspection and shared with parents to keep them informed of their children’s care and routines. Additional documentation is made available to parents relating to the childminder's

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Organisation

qualifications, policies and information about the service provided. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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): • ensure that electric sockets and drains in the back garden are made safe or inaccessible to children

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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 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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