Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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205014 Unique Reference Number 08 November 2006 Inspection date Valerie Fane 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 1983. She lives with her husband and two adult children in north Worcester. The whole of the downstairs and the bathroom and one bedroom upstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and nurseries.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 remain healthy because the childminder’s home is warm and clean and they learn good hygiene habits such as washing their hands after handling the cat. They become increasingly independent because the childminder encourages them to use the soap container themselves as soon as they can manipulate the pump. They receive support when they are ready to be toilet-trained because the childminder discusses the timing with their parents and encourages older babies to tell her if they want to try. Children receive good care in the event of an accident because the childminder always maintains a current first aid certificate and keeps accurate records of any accidents that occur, ensuring that these are signed by parents. If children bang their heads she also gives parents a letter outlining the possible symptoms of delayed concussion and the action they should take if they are concerned about their child.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are well nourished. They have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating. The childminder provides children with food that is nutritious and complies with their dietary needs. They enjoy an interesting range of snacks and main meals that balances excellent healthy eating options with children's favourites. For example, they normally enjoy meals such as roast chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots and swedes but they occasionally have a favourite option like pizza and chips. Children with special dietary requirements would receive appropriate meals because the childminder has attended training on food allergies and intolerances to improve her knowledge.

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Helping children to be healthy

In the summer children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as they make good use of the back garden for a variety of play activities. They develop their climbing and balancing skills on the small climbing frame and on various wheeled toys as well as enjoying messy play such as sand and water. They go on outings to the park and run around chasing bubbles, look for items of nature interest or feed the ducks. In the winter they sometimes kick a ball around in the back garden and they have a short opportunity for fresh air when they take and fetch older children from school.

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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 home where all risks are identified and minimised. The front door is secure and the stairs are gated so children cannot go upstairs without the childminder's knowledge. The childminder has reinforced her awareness of health and safety issues by attending relevant training. Children learn how to protect themselves in an emergency because they practise the evacuation procedures once a month. The childminder keeps a record of the practices and which children are present so that all children have opportunity to practise from time to time. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because they know that they must put one set of toys away before getting out more toys so that the room does not become cluttered. On walks they learn how to use the pelican crossing and understand that they can only cross when they see the green light.

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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 The children use a wide range of very good equipment that is suitable and safe. This is because the childminder provides furniture, equipment and toys that are appropriate for their purpose, are of suitable design and condition and are very well maintained. Some toys are stored at low level in the playroom for children to self-select and children know that they can ask for alternatives from the garage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. She has attended relevant training to support her knowledge. Children learn to protect themselves because the childminder ensures that they understand that they must not talk to strangers in the park without her permission and that school children must wait with their teacher until they can see her in the playground.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house. They come in with enthusiasm and independently select toys from the range available or confidently ask the childminder for alternatives from the garage. Children develop social skills that are appropriate or ahead of their age. Children under three years of age play alongside each other very well and begin to play together with the Duplo house or the train set. They become engrossed in their play. They develop their imagination as they enjoy small world play with the Duplo house. The childminder supports them well as she asks them questions to encourage them to think about where different pieces of furniture belong in a house. She also makes very good use of spontaneous learning opportunities throughout the day to help them learn colours and shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy constructing a train layout. They search for pieces they need to complete the track talking to the childminder as they play. They extend their vocabulary as they identify curved pieces of track and relate their play to the real world as they talk about the train stopping at a red light the same as they do at a pelican crossing. All children develop well because the childminder ensures that she gives time to each child present and spends time looking at a book with younger child on their own to support their development of language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older babies and pre-school children enjoy a very interesting and varied range of planned activities. They take part in craft activities that are often linked to current events such as Bonfire Night. They cook regularly and have recently made cakes, biscuits, flapjacks and toffee apples. They extend their maths knowledge as they weigh the ingredients and improve their physical skills as they stir the mixture or press Smarties or raisins into the biscuits. They improve their observational skills as they make pictures of themselves, paying attention to the colour of their hair and eyes. In autumn they talk about animals that hibernate and make a picture of a spiky hedgehog.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attending the childminder's house after school welcome time to relax in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the childminder's home. They can choose to rest in front of the television if they are tired or they can use the computer and playstation or play a wide range of board games. In the holidays they go on interesting outings to places such as Twycross Zoo where

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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 they find out about all the animals. Back at the childminder's house they enjoy craft activities relating to their favourite animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of our wider society because the childminder provides some toys such as dressing-up clothes, books and dolls to support their learning. They talk about different festivals when the older children bring things home from school or pre-school. However, they have limited opportunities to explore other cultures and faiths for themselves when they are with the childminder. Children behave very well at the childminder’s house. They respond positively to her calm manner, positive behaviour strategies and consistent expectations for their behaviour. They learn to share toys and older children are helped to have realistic expectations of the younger ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent relationships that the childminder has with their parents. She has an informative folder about her service to show new parents. Children's ongoing needs are met well because the childminder keeps a written daily record sheet for babies and talks to parents of older children when they bring and collect their child. Parents are very appreciative of the individual care and support that families receive. They are made aware of how to make a complaint to the regulator. The childminder has systems in place to keep records that would comply with the national standards if a complaint was to be made. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities receive good care because the childminder liaises closely with their parents and encourages them to seek advice from their health visitor if they have concerns about their child's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very settled at the childminder’s house because she is well-organised and they quickly become familiar with the daily routine. They benefit from the childminder's high level of expertise gained through a Level 3 childcare qualification and her commitment to attend regular training to update and improve her practice. Children’s welfare is safeguarded because she is aware to notify Ofsted of significant changes. For example, she has ensured that her own child had a Criminal Record's Bureau check on reaching their sixteenth birthday. She keeps accurate records of children's times of attendance and she has obtained all required information and consents from their parents before she begins minding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to ensure that parents sign the medication record and to establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the activities provided.

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Improvements 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 Children's welfare is safeguarded because parents now provide written consent for medication to be given and also sign the dosage record at the end of the day to confirm that they are aware their child has received the medicine. Children are also safeguarded because their parents sign a written contract outlining the main outings provided by the childminder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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, 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): • improve opportunities for children to develop their awareness of other cultures and our wider society.

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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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