Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332593 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2006 Inspection date Margaret Webster 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 years and eight years in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and the bathroom on the first floor 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part time and two child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has two rabbits and a fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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's health and general well-being is very well supported through the childminder's implementation of good effective policies and procedures. Children follow good personal hygiene routines; the childminder provides good resources to support children's independence such as, individual towels that are kept on individual named pegs and soap for the older children. She uses sterile wipes for the younger children. The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures by wearing gloves each time she changes nappies. Implementation of these procedures minimise cross infection and keeps the children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides the children with healthy snacks, for example fruit and sandwiches. She works with the parents, who provide most of the meals to ensure that the children receive enough food the enable them to grow and be healthy. The childminder's good awareness of likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements helps children eat well and in line with parents wishes. Drinks are provided through the day to ensure that the children stay hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted very well. They enjoy the regular physical activities in the garden and frequent walks and visits to the local park where they use larger apparatus to develop there gross motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The space that the children use is organised very effectively in order to allow them to move around safely both indoors and outdoors. Children enjoy a good range of recourses and equipment which are stored in boxes and on child height shelves in the lounge and in the playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good procedures in place for ensuring that children remain safe and secure at all times in this child-orientated environment. For example, regular fire drills are carried out and recorded, the rooms that children use are safe with no safety issues highlighted and regular safety checks are carried out on the space, resources and equipment. The outdoor area is secured and there are clear procedures for keeping children safe at all times on outings. Children are supervised very well whilst being given the independence they need to develop and learn.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted well through the childminder attending child protection training. This helps to ensure that she would know what to do if she had a concern about any child in her care. Child protection and accident policies are clear, detailed and available within the childminders prospectus, thus enabling parents to have a clear understanding about procedures within the setting.

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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 good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which are age appropriate. The childminder has a good understanding of the children within her care, providing activities according to their particular likes and dislikes and allowing children the freedom of choice within free-play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a bright purposeful playroom where the children's art and craft work is displayed. This makes the children feel valued and appreciated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have plenty of choice from the wide selection of toys available. Younger children enjoy toys which are available on low-level shelves and boxes in the living room and the bright and cheerful playroom. The rotation of toys ensure children enjoy variety and maintains their interest in the selection available. Older children enjoy the freedom to choose from the toys stored within the playroom and lounge, encouraging independent choice and a sense of responsibility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their understanding of the world around them on outings to play parks and local attractions. During regular visits to toddler groups, younger children enjoy opportunities to play with their peer group and to develop their social skills. The childminder has attended the 'Birth to three' framework training. She is making some progress in introducing the development profiles for children in her care in order to begin to monitor their progress and plan activities according to the child's age and stage of development .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a range of resources, toys and activities which helps them to develop an understanding of diversity and the world around them. Examples include books, posters, dolls and jigsaws which are all freely available to them on a daily basis. On the wall of the playroom there is a map of Great Britain that the children have painted, displaying the children's work makes them feel valued and confident. Trips out in the local environment and wider community ensure that children develop a sound awareness of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have learning difficulties or disabilities. The childminder is able to provide care that enables all children to be included in the life of the setting. She discusses their needs with the parents and works with any outside agencies involved with the care of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management techniques are age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate and are used in a way that children can understand. The clear policy outlines this for parents and rules are developed with the older children which helps to ensure that they know and understand them. The childminder is very aware of children's likes and dislikes and accommodates children's individual routines and specific needs well within the routine of the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is very good. Procedures are effective in ensuring that children are cared for in line with parent's wishes and in a calm and consistent manner. Clear and detailed

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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 policies and verbal information for parents ensure that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Paperwork is well-organised and maintained in line with requirements. This allows children's individual details to be readily available to enable consistency of care. Policies and procedures are extensive and regularly reviewed. She has produced a clear and attractive information booklet that informs the parents of the childminding service that she is providing. It clearly outlines the care provided for the children and how the childminder ensures that they are safe and secure whilst in his care.

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Organisation

The childminding space is very well-organised so that children have use of rooms which are child-orientated, comfortable and homely. Children have good access to age-appropriate toys and resources.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps up-to-date with current childcare issues and good practice guidelines by attending regular training. This, in turn, allows children to be cared for in an environment which is interesting and stimulating.

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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 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): • continue to develop the 'Birth to three matters' framework by introducing individual development profiles.

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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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