Childminder, Out-of school day care in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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251885 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Olwen Pulker 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her husband, 15-year-old son and two adult children in a suburb of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house 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 a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding seven children aged between 3 and 12 years. All attend part-time. The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children.

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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. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable home where they are protected from infection through the implementation of sound policies and procedures, for example excluding those who are ill or infectious and children being taught to cover their mouths when coughing. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after toileting and are prompted by a written notice posted in the bathroom. However, they are not consistently reminded to wash their hands before mealtimes and consequently their health is not always fully protected. The childminder updates her first aid qualification every three years and this helps to ensure that she is able to deal with accidents and emergencies effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder advises and liaises with parents about meals and snacks provided in order to ensure that children are well nourished. Good awareness of likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements helps children eat well and in line with parental wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle as they play ball games or bounce on the trampoline in the garden. They visit the local park regularly where they have access to fixed structures suitable for their age group; they enjoy a range of physical activities such as using the large equipment for climbing, sliding and swinging. These opportunities are effective in helping children develop body control and physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play, eat and rest comfortably in an appropriately organised and welcoming environment. A selection of adequately maintained resources is made available daily from storage boxes placed in the hallway so that the children are able to access them safely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is appropriately promoted through the childminder's ability to implement necessary precautions both inside and outside the home. Most risks have been identified and minimised to allow children the freedom to move around the ground floor rooms and garden in safety. They learn about road safety as they walk to and from school and sensitive reminders about the appropriate use of equipment help prevent accidents as the children play. Children know what to do in the event of a fire as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and all the required fire safety equipment is in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues and her commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the children in her care. She shows a sound understanding of the procedures to follow with any concerns.

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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 satisfactory. Children have access to a variety of toys, activities and equipment suitable to their ages and stages of development. They are able to initiate their own play and learning ideas, supported by the childminder. The childminder interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play. She joins in their card games and effectively supports and encourages the younger children in colour and number recognition. An adequate range of activities is available to children, which promote creative expression, such as drawing, colouring and role play. Children form positive relationships as they share and play cooperatively together. Children become confident communicators; they are well supported by the childminder who enjoys listening and talking to them as she encourages them to recall and share past events. Children are developing independence and self-esteem by selecting their activities and taking responsibility for tidying

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

away toys. Children are able to broaden their experiences and enjoy bus journeys to parks and play areas within the city.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are comfortable and confident in the welcoming environment and soon build good relationships with the childminder and her family which fosters their enjoyment and sense of belonging. Children are encouraged to choose from a range of toys regardless of gender, however, they have access to few resources that promote a positive view of the wider world. Children learn about their local community as they walk to and from school, nursery and other facilities such as the shops and library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are able to share toys and play well together. They learn good manners and respect for others as the childminder provides a good role model. Children understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good, with a strong emphasis on support and consistency. Policies and procedures are in place and are effective in ensuring that children are cared for in line with parent's wishes. Verbal feedback ensures that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues. However, parents are not fully informed of a complaints procedure and therefore may not be aware of how to contact the regulator if there are unresolved issues regarding the service provided by the childminder. In the past children with specific needs have been supported well as the childminder worked closely with parents to promote their safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are at home within the appropriately organised surroundings. They are confident to make choices about their own activities and develop their own play and learning with effective support from the childminder to help them feel secure. Children's safety and well-being is

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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 promoted as the suitability of all adults in the household have been checked and supervision is maintained at all times. The childminder is not currently fully complying with her conditions of registration as the certificate is not on display within the setting.

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Organisation

Documentation is maintained adequately to ensure the safe management of the setting and thereby promote the welfare of children. Information about children's care, including agreed contracts with parents, are provided so that both parties are clear about the service provided. This contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that the attendance record contains sufficient details and to obtain contact details of her area child protection team. Children's welfare is better protected as the attendance register now clearly shows the arrival and departures times of individual children and the childminder has access to contact details of the area child protection team.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • consistently encourage children to learn about personal hygiene with particular attention to washing their hands before mealtimes • provide parents with Ofsted's contact details should they have a concern about the care children receive • ensure that all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

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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 • comply with conditions of registration with regard to displaying the certificate.

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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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