Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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204565 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Saida Cummings 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 1989. She lives with her husband and children aged 14 and 10 years in an end-terraced house situated in Droitwich, Worcestershire. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor and first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings including regular attendances at the local carer and toddler group. The family has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children under eight years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and also regularly attends the local childminding support group meetings and events. She is currently

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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 working towards the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3 in childcare. Children are walked and transported to and from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have access to clean and well-maintained areas. The childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures which ensure any risk of infection is reduced. Older children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting. However, children are not routinely encouraged to wash their hands before eating. Consequently, this compromises children’s health and safety. The risk of infection is also reduced as the childminder follows the Local Health Authority guidelines and ensures all parents and carers are made aware that children are not cared for if they have an infectious illness. There are appropriate procedures in place for dealing with any accidents and the administration of medications if requested. Babies’ and young children’s needs are well met as the childminder knows the children well and is aware of their individual health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate in regular outdoor play which enables them to run, jump, slide and develop their physical skills. Regular visits and outings are also incorporated into the planned activities which give them the experience of going on local walks, visiting various parks and playing fields. Children also have the opportunity to take part in regular indoor physical activities, such as music and movement sessions and using the ball pit. Babies and young children have opportunities for creative physical experiences and development such as bouncing, rolling, crawling and starting to walk. The childminder ensures appropriate equipment and space is made available for children to be able to safely build on these skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy well-organised mealtimes which are also used as social times with all the children sitting to eat together. They learn about healthy eating during snack and mealtimes when discussions are held about the types of food they eat and what is good for them. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals, snacks and drinks which are discussed and planned with the parents and carers to ensure all their individual dietary needs and preferences are met. They are provided with a variety of food and drinks which also take into consideration any dietary requirements and their likes and dislikes. Their independence is fostered as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Younger children’s food is prepared to the appropriate texture depending on their ages and abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to access spacious indoor and outdoor areas which are adapted for their use. They are able to self-select from a wide variety of safe play equipment and resources. All furniture and toys are sturdy and clean. The childminder includes cleaning and checking play equipment and resources as part of her daily routine. Children are transported safely in the childminder’s vehicle using age-appropriate seats and harnesses.

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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 are kept safe from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has attended appropriate child protection training and is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. She is also aware of the procedures to follow if there are any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The areas used by children are made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place such as safety gates and electrical socket covers. Children are constantly supervised and taught safety as part of their everyday activities. This includes how to keep themselves safe through awareness of car safety when being transported, not to climb on furniture and how to safely use the stairs when indoors. Although the childminder is aware of safety, there are times when the premises are not secure. This is to enable parents and carers to enter into the premises when the childminder is supervising the children whilst using the first floor. However, this needs reviewing to ensure children’s safety and well-being is not compromised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children independently choose from a wide variety of interesting toys and materials which they are able to easily access. Their needs and preferences are met as the childminder ensures their preferred play equipment and toys are made available during the sessions they attend. They also have use of different types of play equipment as the childminder makes effective use of local lending resources. Children enjoy regular visits to the local library where they are able to choose books which interest them. They are provided with an interesting and stimulating balance of activities, allowing for more active play and relaxing sessions. Their activities are well planned with different types of play timetabled into each session. The childminder is very flexible with this timetable and adjusts activities according to children’s individual needs and how they are feeling when they attend. Babies’ and young children’s needs are catered for as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to plan specific activities for this age group. They are able to join in with all the activities as these are adapted appropriately and enjoy painting, manipulating play dough and splashing during water play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s learning is promoted through everyday activities such as recognising the different colours of the glitter during craft activities, counting cars when putting them into the garage and recognising the different shapes of their sandwiches during lunch. Their language development is encouraged through various activities including reading stories, discussions, nursery rhymes and making different sounds. They are also encouraged to recognise their names as they place stick-on name tags onto a board to self-register when they first arrive. School-aged children are given opportunities to make free choices about the types of activities they want to take part in. The childminder takes time to find out what interests each child and builds on this information to plan and provide a variety of activities and opportunities to ensure their preferences are met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled within the environment. They are very comfortable with the childminder and have built a trusting relationship. Their interest and involvement is encouraged by the consistent and positive adult interaction. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. She also encourages children to join in by sometimes taking an active part, for instance getting down on the floor

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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 and encouraging children to get messy and take part in the craft activities. Children enjoy various outings and the childminder uses these opportunities to build on their experiences. An example of this is when they enjoy watching how animals behave when they visit the local pet shop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. The childminder encourages children to make use of all the play equipment and activities available. Children have access to a range of resources and activities to promote their awareness of diversity. This is also promoted through some of the planned activities, such as making moon cakes and eating noodles when celebrating the Chinese New Year. Children are valued and respected, and the childminder is committed to making sure all children feel secure and are included. She knows all the children well and ensures they are provided with equality of opportunity. Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder which enables their individual needs to be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder’s approach to behaviour management. She creates an environment that encourages children to behave well. Children’s positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. They are taught to be polite and to give consideration to each other. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of being able to meet the needs for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and works closely with parents, carers and outside agencies. Children are given time, resources and assistance to ensure their individual specific needs are met as required, such as taking part in fun games to develop their speech, language and listening skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are met as the childminder initially holds full discussions with parents and carers to ensure that she is able to meet all requirements. They are settled in on a gradual basis which is fully planned with the parents and carers to ensure enough time is allowed. This varies depending on the individual child’s needs and how quickly they settle into their new environment. The childminder has built a good working relationship with parents and carers. They are kept well informed of their children’s activities, any issues and the domestic routines. The childminder shares a written diary for each child with the parents and carers and encourages them to also use this to ensure there is a two-way communication system.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy good interaction with the childminder as she organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. Their care and play needs are met by the childminder’s effective organisation of the childminding sessions. The childminder is committed to further development and regularly attends appropriate training. Children benefit from the childminder’s development as she is able to incorporate any new procedures or guidelines into the care provided.

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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 are cared for in friendly and homely surroundings and the childminder plans the childminding sessions to meet their individual needs and preferences. They are comfortable in the well-resourced and organised environment which is made accessible and welcoming to them. The childminder has developed relevant information which she shares with parents and carers to ensure they are made fully aware of all the childminding arrangements. She has also developed a good system for recording and keeping appropriate children’s records as required.

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Organisation

Children have opportunities to mix with other children of their own age group as they regularly attend local groups, such as the carer and toddler group and the stay-and-play group. They are able to integrate with other children and join in with large group activities, for instance taking part in music and rhyme and story sessions. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure the water butt was made safe or inaccessible to children and to improve her knowledge of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children no longer have access to a water butt as the childminder has now moved house since the last inspection and there are no water butts available at these premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended appropriate child protection training and has made herself familiar with the latest Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. She is aware of signs, symptoms and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns which include contacts the local Social Services Department and Ofsted. As a result children’s safety and well-being is assured.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents and carers, 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 health and hygiene procedures by ensuring children are routinely encouraged to wash their hands before eating • review the procedures during collection times to ensure the premises are always safe and secure.

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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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