Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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205015 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2007 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 2000. She lives with her partner and children aged 12 years, nine years and six months in the Spetchley area of Worcester. The whole house except for one bedroom is used for childminding. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and nurseries.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a dog, two rabbits and some fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children at any one time and is currently minding two children, both of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 satisfactory. The children are well-nourished. They have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating. The childminder provides children with regular drinks and with food that is nutritious and complies with their dietary needs. They enjoy an interesting selection of mid-morning snacks such as kiwi fruit, banana, rice cake and Rusk biscuits. At lunchtimes they have a healthy cooked meal such as shepherd's pie that also contains a selection of vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a home that is warm and clean where they learn about the importance of good hygiene routines. Babies have their own flannels for use before and after meals. Older children learn to wash hands after using the toilet and before eating or after handling the dog. Children are protected because the dog receives regular preventative treatment for worms and fleas and is vaccinated regularly. Children receive appropriate care from the childminder in the event of a minor accident because she maintains a current first aid certificate and keeps accurate records of any accidents. However, their continuity of care is compromised because she does not always ensure that parents read and sign the accident record. She also does not obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children understand about the importance of fresh air and exercise. They go for regular walks or rides in the pushchair. They often walk to collect the older children from school and they enjoy trips to the local park or to the Countryside Centre. At the park they develop climbing and balancing skills on a range of large play equipment such as the swings and the climbing frame. They also improve their hand to eye co-ordination with bats and balls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure home where most risks are identified and minimised. The childminder has ensured that cleaning materials and medicines are stored safely and has fitted stairgates across the doors to the kitchen and hall so that children can only access these areas under her supervision. However, the safety of older children using the bathroom unsupervised is compromised because they could lock themselves in. Children are not currently using the back garden and the childminder has taken some measures to enable children to access the garden safely. However, some aspects of the garden are unsafe and a condition has been set to prevent children from using it until suitable improvements have been made. Children learn how to protect themselves in an emergency because they have discussed the evacuation procedures with the childminder and also talked about what the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

would do if they were trapped in the back garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a suitable selection of high quality well-maintained toys that are stored at low levels for older children to self-select. Pre-school age children select from the range put out by the childminder in the morning and then choose what they would like out after lunch. Babies

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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 use age-appropriate equipment that is kept clean including a high chair and a cot, and the childminder has age-appropriate car seats for use when transporting them in a vehicle.

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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 sound understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. Children learn to protect themselves because they discuss the importance of staying with the childminder and never going anywhere with strangers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive confidently at the childminder's house and separate willingly from their parent or carer. They self-select from the interesting range of age-appropriate toys that the childminder has put out in the lounge. Babies develop their manipulative skills using toys such as a shape sorter and a box of plastic eggs that split in half and fit back together. The childminder supports their language and listening skills well because she talks to them while she is playing with them. Babies develop their imagination and creative skills through activities such as cooking, play dough and sticking. Children develop well because the childminder has a good understanding of the principles of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the breadth of learning that they gain from different activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Pre-school children enjoy an interesting range of activities. They improve their imagination through dressing-up and role play using the play kitchen. They develop a love of books as they listen to stories read by the childminder and improve their language as they sing songs with her. They gain construction skills using Duplo or big building bricks. They learn to make choices as they tell the childminder what toys they would like to play with after lunch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is not currently minding children of school age but she has previously done so and may accept children of this age in the future. They choose whether they want to relax and watch television or whether they want to play board games or join in with cooking or art and craft activities. In summer they play outside with sand and water or ride bikes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop well as individuals with the childminder because she gets to know them well and adapts her daily routine to meet their needs. They become aware of our wider society because the childminder has books, computer activities and small world toys to reflect other cultures and people with disabilities. Children behave well at the childminder’s house. They respond positively to the clear boundaries that she sets. Young children stop throwing toys when they are asked and the childminder encourages them to respond to her request to pick the toys up again by helping them. Older children behave well because the childminder talks to them about why they need to do things and the effect of their behaviour. They begin to understand how their behaviour affects other people's feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship that the childminder has with their parents. She provides them with detailed information about her service before she begins minding. Children's

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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 ongoing care is supported because the childminder completes a daily diary sheet for each minded child and invites parents to return it to her with their own comments or information. This is in addition to regular conversations when parents bring or collect their child. Children are safeguarded because parents know how to make a complaint to the regulator and the childminder is aware of the need to keep records of any complaints made to her or to the regulator. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities receive good care because the childminder liaises closely with their parents. She adapts activities to enable them to take part and helps other children to understand their particular needs. If she had a concern about a child's development she would discuss it with their parents and encourage them to seek help

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled at the childminder’s house because she is well-organised and they are familiar with the daily routine. Children’s welfare is safeguarded because she has notified Ofsted of significant events such as moving house and an addition to her family. She keeps records of their times of attendance and she has obtained all required information and most consents from their parents before she begins minding. Children benefit from her commitment to attend training to improve her knowledge and understanding of the care of young children. She has recently completed the first stage of a Level 3 qualification for childminders and intends to continue the course as soon as her personal circumstances permit.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to devise a system for obtaining parental permission to administer medication and to establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the activities provided. Children are now safeguarded because the childminder has put in place a form to use when children are needing medication. This records details of the medication, and requires a parent's signature. She has also ensured that contracts are in place for all minded children.

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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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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 children's safety by ensuring that they cannot lock themselves in the bathroom • consistently ensure that parents sign the accident records • obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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