Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

306771 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Juliette Jennings Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children aged nine years and five months in a suburb of Telford. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The first floor is used on occasion, except for the study. The local shops and schools are all within walking distance. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a full-time basis. She is able to take children to and collect them from school and she attends group care with younger children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted appropriately because the childminder implements sound procedures to ensure that the environment is maintained to a suitable standard and that children begin to learn about hygiene. For example, the childminder supports younger children to use wipes and wash their hands on a regular basis throughout the day, particularly after eating,

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 before eating and when they have been playing outside or feeding the rabbits. In addition, wipes are readily available for use when nappy changing, anti-bacterial spray is available and the childminder uses anti-bacterial gel in-between changes so that her own hands are clean. However, she does not wear an apron for nappy changing or for food preparation, and this potentially increases the risk of cross-infection for children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Procedures to support children's health are in place and readily available, for example, accident and medication records are to hand if required. The childminder has accessed first aid training in the past and is about to update her qualification after a period of time not minding, so that she will update her knowledge of how to deal with an accident. The wording for written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice is available on a form, but this form has not yet been signed by parents, so it is unclear as to whether the parents would allow the childminder to seek necessary help in an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are supported to eat healthily because the childminder provides healthy snacks such as fruit, toast, yoghurts and other savoury snacks. In addition, the childminder is flexible about whether parents provide lunch for their children or whether they prefer her to provide meals. Food is prepared on a daily basis so that is it fresh and a balanced menu is available, for example, Spaghetti Bolognese, chicken with rice or a roast chicken dinner. Drinks of water or milk are available to children on a regular basis.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy sufficient opportunities for physical activity, fresh air and light when they access the rear garden to use the small play equipment area under the close supervision of the childminder. In addition, they have opportunities to develop large physical skills such as running and climbing when they access local play parks. Children's manipulative development is supported well because the childminder provides a good range of resources and activities such as colouring pencils, painting, playdough, small world people play and discovery toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a comfortable, suitable and interesting environment which supports a homely and relaxed feel. The space, particularly the playroom, has a good range of equipment and resources available to them to support ongoing development. Rooms within the house are used well to meet children's needs, for example, the playroom has been developed so that children have a designated space for play. The space is organised well, with low-level cupboards for storage of children's toys and labelled drawers so that children's independence is encouraged when choosing toys and resources in their play. It is a colourful and interesting space because the childminder has placed posters, notice boards, theme boards and pictures around the room. In addition, there is a very good range of age appropriate toys and resources available for the children to be busy and occupied with, including an excellent range of books, a good majority

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is sometimes compromised because daily risk assessments do not sufficiently work in practice; in particular, there were some trailing leads in the playroom, plastic bags at low-level in the kitchen and a toilet block in the downstairs toilet, although the latter was dealt with quickly once highlighted. In addition, children are supervised in the garden because there is currently a disused, drained pond area which is not fully safe for children to be left unsupervised. The childminder is currently working to ensure that this is made fully safe as soon as possible. Fire safety procedures have been thought about and the childminder has

p.3

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 practiced the drill herself, so she would know what to do in the event of an evacuation in order to keep children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is ensured because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She has recently accessed training to ensure that she knows about current safeguarding procedures and there is a clear policy in place which highlights what would happen if there was a concern about any of the minded children. This is readily available to parents so that they can be clear about the childminders responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children's ongoing development is promoted because the childminder plans activities and themed work to promote aspects of learning such as colour recognition, number reinforcement and imaginary play. This helps her to know what needs to be done next to further children's development and she is hopeful that imminent training in the Early Years Foundation Stage will enhance her understanding of children's development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children progress appropriately because the childminder engages positively with the minded children whilst they choose their favourite play activities. For example, children are encouraged to explore when they are interested to see what might be in the play tent, or to take an interest in story books. Number and colour recognition is reinforced because the childminder implements weekly themes. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their children's learning by being aware of these themes and bringing items in from home.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are busily occupied, engaged and involved in activities which help to support their development, whilst seeking support from the childminder as required. They confidently access their favourite toys, with current chosen toys being small world people, the play tent and looking at books. Other facilities are accessed to support learning, for example, play areas, local groups and nature areas in the locality.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's behaviour is positively promoted because the childminder provides the children with a wide range of activities so that they are busy and occupied. Support from the childminder is calm and consistent and children are interested and engaged in what they choose to do. Positive techniques are used effectively and appropriately, for example, in the encouragement of tidying away resources. A clear behaviour procedure is available which outlines good practice.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding of equality and diversity because discussions and activities take place which give them an idea of the world around them. They role play familiar situations using small world people and there are positive images in resources, posters and books. Children develop positive self-esteem and confidence because they use an accessible environment and familiar routine, with appropriate support from the childminder to encourage decision making and independent choice. The procedures for supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities are sufficient and the childminder would consider caring for children with special needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is strong, with the childminder promoting an open and relaxed relationship with them to ensure consistent care for children. Detailed procedures are available

p.4

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 which effectively outline the childminding practice for parents. Daily diaries are used effectively to relay information about what children have been doing and verbal feedback further supports this. Any issues are discussed promptly and this allows consistency of care to continue and ensure that children's needs are met.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The documentation for supporting children in the setting is generally good. Detailed policies and procedures are in place and readily available to parents whilst other documentation is completed to ensure consistency of care. This information about children is stored confidentially and will be updated regularly so that any ongoing issues can be addressed effectively.

p.5

Organisation

Children are secure in the setting because the childminder ensures that they are supervised at all times and that other adults in the setting have completed the necessary checks to ensure that they are suitable. The space is organised appropriately for children and this helps to ensure that their needs are met, for example, rest facilities are available in the lounge and there is plenty of free play space in the playroom. The latter has been developed as a designated space for children and is colourful and exciting.

p.5

Organisation

Children's development and care is ensured due to the childminder's commitment to ongoing training. She has ideas about areas for development and has ensured that she is accessing training to support this. In addition, she receives support from the local authority which has been useful as she has started childminding again to ensure that she provides appropriate care for children. Overall children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was asked to address a number of issues. She was asked to ensure that written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment was in place for the children she was caring for at that time and that written consent was given to administer medication. These issues were addressed so that children's medical needs could be met on a daily basis and in the event of an emergency.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

In addition, she was asked to ensure that a range of toys were easily accessible to children and this has been enabled in the childminders new home because she has developed a specific play room for children where all toys are easily accessible. Finally, the childminder was asked to encourage the children to wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder described at this inspection what she does to ensure that children's hygiene is supported appropriately.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • make sure that written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment contains a prent signature • make sure that the disused pond area is inaccessible to children • make sure that daily safety checks are rigorous to ensure that the areas used by children are safe, particularly in relation to trailing leads and plastic bags • improve hygiene procedures to prevent cross infection.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6