Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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210279 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2006 Inspection date Jane Lindsay Durand 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 over eight years. They live in a terraced house in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. She attends toddler groups with her minded children and is able to take and collect children from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is able to support children with special educational needs.

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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 enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop self-confidence in their physical skills as they use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. They enjoy playing in the garden and at their local park, and walking to their local facilities. There are suitable arrangements for children to get necessary rest and sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illnesses. The childminder is well aware of the necessity of keeping a record of accidents to children. Medication records are well maintained and shared with parents who countersign all entries. This promotes children’s welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished and dietary needs are met because the childminder works well with parents. The childminder plans and prepares a healthy menu, which includes daily fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are offered drinks throughout the day and a good selection of healthy snacks and meals. Children are beginning to develop their self help and social skills as they are encouraged to sit and eat together at the table during meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children feel secure and safe as the childminder provides a suitable environment. The childminder carries out safety checks around the areas which minimise the risks to children. They are encouraged to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe both indoors and when taken off the premises, for example a child was able to tell the inspector why she wore a luminous jacket when the childminder took her off the premises. The good organisation of toys and equipment enables children to move around safely in the house and garden. The children are well supervised and are able to develop a good awareness of safety measures through emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a welcoming environment as the rooms are decorated with children's art work. This gives them a sense of belonging. Space is used appropriately and creatively 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.

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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 her child protection responsibilities. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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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. 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 each other. The childminder responds well to their individual needs. To develop their imagination and language they take part in a variety of learning experiences, for example, the childminder planned a tea-party and the children dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland. The children made their own jam tarts, sandwiches and drinks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore and take part in physical activities regularly and make good use of local facilities. Using a variety of toys and equipment, they develop their intellectual skills. For example, they sort various toys by size and count those that belong together. Children are involved in a wide range of first hand learning experiences including cooking, play dough and painting. They develop their social skills and enjoy being with other children at the childminders’ network meetings and at the toddler group. This means children make good progress in most areas of learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has introduced the 'Birth to three matters' framework within her setting and is making good progress. The childminder observes children participating in activities and plans activities depending on their needs. This contributes to younger children in her care thriving in all areas of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a sense of belonging. All children are encouraged to take part in activities. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have special needs, the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents. The children develop a good knowledge and understanding of diversity because they have regular access to the appropriate resources for this purpose. The childminder is committed to ensuring the children learn about the world around them and plans activities such as 'Children who live on Planet Food', where by children find out about the food and cultures of children from different countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are happy and well behaved. The childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour which takes into account children’s level of understanding and maturity. They are encouraged to share and respect others through her positive role model and example. Behaviour management is discussed with parents through verbal communication and well documented policies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a two-way sharing of information between parents and the childminder enabling her to obtain relevant information about the children's likes, dislikes and special needs. The childminder provides written daily diaries for parents which includes photographs of their children participating in play experiences provided by the childminder. This contributes to a positive partnership with parents.

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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. The environment and space is organised to enable children to move around freely and play safely. Children 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.

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Organisation

All of the childminder’s documents are clear, well maintained and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality. Whilst daily written and verbal feedback is provided for parents to ensure they are aware of their child's care and routines, policies and procedures, linked to the National Standards are not shared. This means parents are not kept up to date with the service the childminder provides for their child.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two actions were raised. These were to keep an accurate and up to date attendance record and to obtain a copy of 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused' and improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures for reporting incidents, including action taken if an allegation was made whilst minding children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed these issues by obtaining an National Childminding Association register and keeping it accurate and up to date by recording the children's exact times of arrival and departure. The childminder has also obtained the booklet 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused' and has updated her knowledge on the types of abuse and neglect and action which would be taken. The childminder has devised a written policy which makes parents aware of her responsibilities to report suspected cases and also provides re-assurance that their child will be safe whilst in her care.

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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, 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): • share policies and procedures with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the service provided for their children

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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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