Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299131 Inspection date 14 June 2005 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, four and one year. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a full time basis.

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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 The childminder has pet guinea pigs, which are kept outside. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminding group called Kidsgrove Kiddies Carers.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help children develop a clear understanding of when and why they need to wash their hands. Constant reminders by the childminder ensure they wash their hands after using the toilet and children know that their hands will get germs on them and that they should not put them in their mouths. The clear procedures in place for infectious children help limit the spread of infection and helps children to keep healthy. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual dietary needs. Drinks are available so that children can help themselves and a varied and nutritional diet is provided throughout the day in order that children develop a healthy approach to eating. Children are able to make choices between fruit and biscuits at snack time and readily choose to eat the grapes first. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

encourages children to help prepare the meal which enables children to identify healthy ingredients which they like and therefore develop a good appetite for the meal. They rest and sleep according to their needs and the childminder has a good knowledge of the children's individual routines, which, are incorporated everyday, helping children to settle. Importance is placed by the childminder on ensuring that play outside in the fresh air is a daily experience. Regular walks to local parks and nature walks where the squirrels are fed and playing out in the garden help children to develop their physical skills and 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. This means that they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder helps children to understand about safety in the home, when playing outside and on outings through discussion and procedures implemented. Children know that they need to come downstairs on their bottom to stop them falling and that they need to go outside and hold the childminder's hand when fire drills are practised. Good awareness and supervision by the childminder as they play, encourages their independence well and protects them from harm. The outdoor area is currently undergoing renovation and there are some hazards present, however appropriate supervision and boundaries set by the childminder helps keep children safe.

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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 The home is well-maintained and offers good space and a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment. They independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys, which are suitable and age appropriate. Toys are organised in low storage boxes on both floors and cupboards to allow easy access and help create a stimulating environment for children to make their own choices about their play. The childminder's secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures ensures 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 and enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident and approach the childminder for their needs, which are met well. Children enjoy cuddles given by the childminder and relationships are very positive, with lots of conversation and questioning to extend learning. Opportunities for children to socialise with other children are good with regular visits to local playgroups. The varied range of activities provided indoors and out promotes children's learning and achievements, helps them to develop their curiosity as learners and maintains their interest well. Children are happy and enjoy exploring the easily accessible toys and equipment, playing with the small figures and magazines and electronic bus. Children's creative, sensory and imaginary skills are developed well through painting, gluing and play dough. Children thoroughly enjoyed colouring, gluing and shaking the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

glitter on their picture and then cutting out shapes to make a pattern to let the light shine through. There are opportunities for children to explore natural objects as they go for nature walks collecting leaves and gathering snow. Samples of the children's work show that the childminder is helping them to develop their writing skills by following the lines and trying to write the first letter of their name. To show how the child is progressing, the childminder keeps a book of the child's work, which, is shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Discussions held with parents at the initial visits ensure that children's individual needs are met appropriately. Clear behaviour management methods implemented by the childminder helps children develop their understanding of what is right and wrong and they respond positively to the boundaries set and behave well, immediately not standing on the furniture when asked. Children have good levels of self-esteem, enjoying the constant praise given as they show the childminder their picture and when they share the toys and they have stickers for when they walk well to school and eat all of their lunch. There are some opportunities for children to learn about the wider world. They visit

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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 the local library to collect books and go for nature walks to look at features of the environment. The childminder has discussions with the children about different cultures, has cooked food from different counties and there are some resources to promote positive images of different cultures. However, resources to promote positive images of disability and gender are limited. This may mean that children will not fully develop a positive awareness and understanding of others. Good methods are in place to develop the partnership with parents and there is detailed written information given on how the setting operates. The children's well-being is discussed daily with parents to keep them fully informed and a record of their child's work is kept to show how their child is progressing. This enables the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder and parents to work together to meet the needs of their child.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. They are confident to choose their own activities and develop their own play and learning. Good support from the childminder develops children's learning and helps them feel secure. The childminder has not fully met the training requirements for childminding. She does not have a current first aid certificate although is booked on a course in September, 2005. Therefore she does not have a detailed knowledge of how to deal with accidents to children and children's safety is compromised. Policies and procedures are used appropriately to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well-informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue with plans to ensure the outside area is safe • develop opportunities to raise children's positive awareness of disability and gender • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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