Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY244956 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2006 Inspection date Rebecca Hadley 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 outstanding. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 9 and 14 years old. She lives in a semi detached house in the Kingswinford area of Dudley. The ground floor of her home is used for childminding with the exception of the front lounge. There is also a dedicated playroom available with ground floor toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden which children have access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll who attend on a full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are local shops and parks within walking distance. She currently takes and collects children from the Glynne Primary School and Kingswinford Methodist Pre-school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association (NCMA).

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including balls, bats, skipping ropes, scooters, swings, slides, climbing frames and a skateboard. This enables them to develop their confidence on equipment that provides challenge. They regularly visit the park and collect conkers. They talk about keeping fit and attend Karate on a weekly basis. This contributes to their health and helps them to develop control of their bodies. The needs of the younger children are very well met because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the needs of the younger children and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She provides a range of activities and resources to support the children’s physical and emotional development.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children’s individual care needs are extremely well met. The childminder runs a 'well child' facility which ensures that children are very well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are excellent procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. For example, through the sickness policy which clearly states all childhood diseases, how to recognise them and the appropriate management of them. It also states symptoms requiring the removal of a child from the setting such as fever, rashes, sickness and chest infections. The children are learning about their personal hygiene and how to keep healthy through regular hand washing, and brushing their teeth after lunch. Children are further protected through the implementation of a medical emergency policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks to ensure that they do not become de-hydrated and nutritious meals and snacks which include cheese and crackers, fish, pasta, salad and a variety of fruit and vegetables. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating and know that they eat food to help them to grow big and strong.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. This is due to the childminder's vigilance and implementation of procedures such as ensuring that children wear protective safety gear when using the skateboard to keep them safe. Children’s awareness of safety issues is developed through every day activities within the home and during outings. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely as the childminder has made up games for them to play when walking such as “everybody shout stop” when they reach the kerb. Older children stay safe as the childminder teaches them to stay within seeing and hearing distance of her when playing in the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an excellent range of equipment in place which children are able to use safely due to the childminders vigilance and the procedures she has implemented to regularly check toys and equipment. For example, she checks toys for safety every time they are used and ensures that toys are washed and disinfected regularly. All fire equipment such as smoke alarms are in

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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 place and checked monthly. The premises are secure and there are very good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminders in-depth knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and interact positively both with the childminder and their peers. They become confident and independent because the childminder gives them chance to chose and explore activities and ideas for themselves such as making a den under the table. Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers constant praise and encouragement for every activity children undertake. For example, she says colouring is beautiful and she praises children when they play together and for eating their dinner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's interest and learning is stimulated as the childminder provides an extensive range of activities which encourages children's intellectual development and she constantly asks questions to encourage children to think. For example, she sits with children when they are colouring and asks them what colours they are using and counts the number of flowers they have drawn. Children are building positive relationships both with the childminder and their peers and they actively seek them out to participate in games and activities. The childminder has developed an excellent balance between adult interaction to extend learning and providing children time to initiate and explore games and activities for themselves. For example, when children were playing in the den that they had made under the table the childminder observed them and sat to one side to enable children to develop their imagination which they did

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an extensive range of age appropriate, interesting and stimulating activities to help them learn which includes free play, construction, role play, play dough, cooking, crafts, stickers, colouring, visits to the library, and trips to the Zoo, The Black Country Museum and various parks including Telford. Older children enjoy a themed evening once a month where they dress up, cook food, and make crafts relating to the theme. For example, they have evenings from countries around the world such as India and Germany and they celebrate festivals such as Thanksgiving.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminders in-depth knowledge of children's development ensures that children's individual needs and routines are very well met and their enjoyment and learning is fostered and encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Daily discussions with parents ensure that their individual needs are recognised and met very well. Children understand the need to share toys, enjoy playing together and offer each other help and support. They are developing

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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 an awareness of other countries and cultures through celebrating festivals such as India day and Thanksgiving. The childminders excellent knowledge and understanding of disabilities and her commitment to updating her knowledge and working with outside agencies ensures that all children’s needs are fully met and that children are fully integrated within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules such as saying sorry, please and thank you, respecting other people, and not running in the house. The behaviour management policy states that the childminder aims to provide a happy environment for all children who attend. Rules are regularly discussed with children and parents are made aware of them before their children start. Children respond positively to the childminders methods of behaviour management and apologise if they upset another child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are extremely well met. Excellent partnerships with parents means that children are well settled with a familiar and trusted adult, separate happily from the parent, and are gaining self-assurance and confidence with others. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes and information is shared with parents on a regular basis through daily verbal feedback and monthly newsletters. All relevant information such as daily routines, qualifications and policies relating to the childminding practice are available for parents to see.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge and understanding of the need to inform Ofsted of any significant changes. The childminder is extremely well qualified. She regularly attends local short courses to ensure she is up to date with new ideas and information and identifies her own training needs. This enables her to fully support the children in her care.

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Organisation

All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place and regularly reviewed. The register clearly states the child's full name and actual times of arrival and departure. In-depth additional information relating to the setting such as policies and daily routines support the childminder’s excellent practice. Documentation is safely stored to maintain confidentiality whilst still being easily accessible in an emergency. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment for minded children. This is now in place for every child to ensure that their safety and well being is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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