Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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224553 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2006 Inspection date Linda Tomkins 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 1993. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and adult grandson in Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and three children over five years. All children are cared for in hours that respond to their parent's shift patterns. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups. The family has a dog.

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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 are cared for in a comfortable home where they are taught the importance of good health practice and personal care. They have a supply of clean towels and flannels which they access independently as they wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how and why they keep themselves clean through discussion about germs and ensuring they have their own hair and tooth brushes. However, the children have access to the dog food bowls on the floor in the kitchen. This has the potential to expose them to infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good arrangements and written policies for protecting children from cross infection because the childminder does not care for sick or infectious children and ensures that written permission for seeking emergency treatment or advice is in place. This means that children will receive prompt medical treatment in an emergency. Procedures for accident and medication are good, they are clearly recorded and explained to parents when children are settled into the childminder's home. The childminder is well qualified to meet children's medical needs in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children's health is promoted. Children are provided with a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health such as regular outside play in the garden and park and walks to and from school each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. The children have nutritious meals and snack times that are social occasions where children are encouraged to enjoy food such as jacket potatoes, vegetables and yoghurts. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes through discussions and children's individual records, to ensure she meets their dietary needs well and follows home routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming home with clear space for children to move around freely and independently. She has devised an emergency evacuation plan and regularly practises with all the minded children. This helps to keep children safe in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a range of toys and equipment stored on shelves and containers in the kitchen and front room. The childminder provides toys that are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The outside play area is fenced and provides a secure play space where children can play safely. However, the side entrance area and paved part of the rear garden have stored hazardous materials which are accessible to children and have the potential to cause harm.

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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 All the required procedures and equipment are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She discusses road safety when out walking and ensures children are secure in appropriate seats when travelling in the car. Younger children understand that they must hold the childminder's hand and stay close when feeding the ducks in the pond at the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has procedures for ensuring children are protected. She understands her duty to protect children in her care and how to report concerns. There is a clear procedure for recording existing injuries that children sustain before arriving at her home and her current written policy is undergoing a review to reflect recent changes to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children select and organise the developmentally appropriate resources to suit their own likes and dislikes. They enjoy playing interactive computer games and learning to recognise colours and operate the controls. Older children choose to relax and watch television when they arrive from school and later they have creative activities, for example, making pasta baskets and Christmas cards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises her routines and activities to suit the children's level of development which allows children to develop their independence in the childminder's home. She discusses children's individual preferences with the children so that they have time to be active and rest. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as they frequently visit the park, have walks to the fields and play on bicycles in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well and ensures her resources suit the age range of the children she cares for. They are presented at a low level to allow for choice of activity. For example, the computer is safely situated on a table in the front room, whilst the large kitchen table allows children space to glue and paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's activities and achievements are shared verbally with parents when they are collected. The childminder is experienced and has spent a number of years working and caring for children. She demonstrates a good understanding of how younger children learn and how older children value a degree of independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder and children interact together using good quality resources such as books and children's television with positive images of race and gender. Children have a range of activities that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and understanding of others. For example, walks in the local area and visits from the childminder's older relatives.

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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 Children are valued and respected as individuals. They have individual attention and conversation with the childminder who encourages them to freely express their views. Children are encouraged to behave well and make themselves at home to foster good levels of self-esteem and well-being. The childminder has a wealth of experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disability. She has a clear understanding of how to ensure children are fully supported and included in all activities to enhance their development and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with written information on policies and procedures when they attend introductory visits prior to placing their child. The childminder makes verbal reports on the children's progress, development and achievements each day. For example, she attended a minded child's appraisal at their school on behalf of the parents and reported the good news back. This ensures parents are involved and contributes to the quality of care their children receive. The written complaints policy includes Ofsted contact details which means that parents can report their concerns to ensure their children's welfare is not compromised. The childminder offers flexible care to families and ensures the children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is qualified and experienced to provide children with an interesting range of activities to develop children's skills and independence. She has a current first aid certificate and attends training to continue to increase her knowledge of learning opportunities.

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Organisation

Clear written policies and procedures ensure that children are secure and relaxed in the child- centred environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own learning and play. The well-organised environment provides clear space for children's free movement. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote welfare, care and learning of minded children.

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Organisation

The childminder has good knowledge of required records and ensures that they are all are up-to-date, stored confidentially and available for parents. Parents are regularly informed on their children's progress and activities during daily verbal exchange. This enables the childminder to monitor and evaluate the quality of her care and contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to become familiar with the latest child protection procedures and to improve the accuracy of the details in the daily attendance record.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased her understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, reviewed her procedures and obtained up-to-date information on how to report any concerns. However, she is still arranging attendance on a training course to further develop her knowledge. The daily attendance of children is recorded on register sheets which clearly show the children's names, days, dates and times of arrival and departure.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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): • ensure the dog's feeding bowls are out of children's reach • ensure the entrance area and rear garden are free from hazards.

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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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