Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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255310 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Elaine Poulton 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 1996. Local shops, parks and library are within walking distance of the childminders home. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She works closely with the Learning and Family Support Services and is supported by the Local Education Authority. She drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children. She and attends a playgroup and local parent and carer group.

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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 warm, welcoming and well maintained home. Children are encouraged to wipe their hands and face over before and after eating a meal and are happy to use soft hand wipes after taking part in messy play. This means that daily routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help children develop a good understanding of personal hygiene and when and why they need to wash their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is promoted well as there are clear procedures in place for recording accidents and medication administered. Written consent to seek emergency medical advice is in place for all children. There are clear procedures in place for poorly or infectious children which helps limit the spread of infection and therefore helps them to keep healthy. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and keeps the first aid box stocked with necessary items. This ensures she can meet children's needs should a medical emergency arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works very closely with parents to meet the children's dietary needs. Parents provide some snacks for the children and are happy for the childminder to provide a hot meal at lunch time. Healthy and nutritional meals and drinks are provided by the childminder and children are encouraged to eat a varied balance of vegetables and fruit. Lunch time is a relaxed, pleasant and sociable time. Younger babies are held whilst bottle fed and older children sit together at the dining table to eat their meal. This helps them develop a healthy approach to the food they eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted well by the childminder. They can be active if they wish or take part in quieter activities. They go for regular walks to the local park and visit a local playgroup where they join in with a range of physical and messy activities. They have ample clear space in the childminders home to move around freely and be active and they enjoy playing in the garden. This encourages children to develop their large and small physical skills which in turn contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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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 environment where risks are identified and minimised. There is a good range of safety equipment, policies and procedure in place. This means that children are able to move around inside and outdoors safely, freely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminders home is well-maintained and offers good space and a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and games. Children independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys which are well organised. Resources are stored in clear storage boxes and are easily accessible. This allows children to make their own choices about their play.

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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 Procedures to ensure fire evacuation can take place safely are implemented and children are learning to leave the property quickly and safely. This helps children build a sense of responsibility for keeping themselves safe. Parents sign written consent for children to travel on outings and visits with the childminder. Children are transported safely in the family vehicles and the childminder ensures appropriate safety equipment is used. This means parents are kept fully informed of their children's activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This helps to ensure that children are protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled at the childminder's house and with her family. They are growing in confidence and are beginning to express their likes and dislikes. Children relate well to the childminder and younger children are developing their independence. They are encouraged to take turns with toys and share.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to choose and initiate their own activities inside the home. They enjoy selecting toys and books to explore. Younger children care for dolls and take them for walks in their push chairs and seek out other children who will join in their imaginative play. The childminder ensures children are provided with regular opportunities to socialise with others as they attend a pre-school group every week. Children use the rear garden to play on wheeled toys and run in the clear space.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in daily routines and planned activities that enhance their understanding. The childminder demonstrates that she has a good understanding of how children learn and actively promotes all areas of development. Although children benefit from a range of play opportunities, not all of them are linked successfully to the 'Birth to three' framework. The childminder talks to the younger children during activities and explains what the children are doing. For example, she promotes children’s communication and understanding through identifying fruit and counting different vegetables.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children very well and ensures that she organises resources to suit the age and stage of the children's development. For example, older children enjoy painting and colouring and younger children enjoy sticking activities. They make their needs known and show pleasure and pride in their achievements consistently supported by a praise and smiles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are offered an excellent range of activities that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Children play together well and explore toys and resources with positive images of race, gender and disability.

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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 benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their individual needs and personalities during the day. Children's differing stages of development are accommodated as the childminder skilfully adapts activities and uses developmentally appropriate equipment to enable each child to participate fully in activities. Children have lots of individual attention and interaction with the childminder who ensures their needs are met as they follow their daily routines. They have time to relax and be active. They enjoy a sense of belonging to a community as they visit local shops, parks and a pre-school group. Children behave well and make themselves at home. Older children are confident and have a good level of self-esteem which contributes to their general well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are spoken to in a polite, positive manner and thrive on the praise and encouragement they receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective procedures in place to care for children with special needs. There are very good arrangements in place to ensure children are fully supported and included in all activities to enhance their development and progress in the childminders home. Children are helped to use sign language and the childminder introduces this skill to the children when looking through books, during discussions and at story time. The childminder liaises closely with parents and other agencies to ensure the needs of the child are fully met within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong and effective partnerships that have developed between the childminder and parents. Parents are provided with good quality detailed written information on policies and procedures. The childminder provides examples of planned activities and the day to day routine and shares information on children’s needs on a daily basis. This ensures parents are fully involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has good vetting procedures in place to ensure all visitors to the setting hold appropriate clearances or are never left alone with children. A good range of policies and procedures are used effectively to promote welfare, care and learning of the children in the childminders care.

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Organisation

Children feel secure and relaxed in the well organised setting. This means they are confident to initiate play in a safe environment. The childminder is enthusiastic about attending awareness courses and further training to enhance her skills and provide further learning experiences for children. She holds a British Sign Language Stage one certificate and is also a mentor for other childminders working within the Family Support Service.

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Organisation

The childminder has good knowledge of required records and ensures they are up to date, stored confidentially and available for parents. Parents are well informed on their children's progress and activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were three recommendations from the last inspection. To further develop written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle; to raise awareness of the Code of Practice regarding children with special needs and legislation regarding disability discrimination; to develop procedures to follow if abuse is alleged to have taken place whilst a child is in the care of the provider.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has made good progress in addressing the three recommendations to ensure children's safety and welfare is well promoted. The document containing written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle has been extended to include family vehicles, and therefore has been made more robust. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Code of Practice regarding children with special needs and has also obtained literature on the legislation regarding disability discrimination to further raise her awareness. The childminder has contacted the Local Safeguarding Children Board to ensure she understands and follows their procedure regarding allegations of abuse to have taken place whilst a child is in the care of a provider.

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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. 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 outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’.

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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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