Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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255407 Unique Reference Number 06 October 2006 Inspection date Jasvinder Kaur 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two children, one aged 12 and one teenager in Tipton, West Midlands. The sitting room, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding.

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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 four children under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She regularly attends carer and toddler group and liaises with other childminders. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illnesses. The childminder is active in ensuring good hygiene in relation to nappy changing practices. All the children are provided with separate towels, hair brushes and drinking cups. Medication records are well maintained and shared with parents. The childminder is well aware of the necessity of keeping a record of accidents to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals which cater for their individual needs. They are developing an awareness of healthy eating through arranged activities and appropriate toys. At meal times and snack times they choose their food with confidence. Younger children are regularly offered drinks to ensure none remain thirsty. A selection of drinks is readily accessible for all children at all times. They enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes. The childminder is well aware of children's dietary requirements and preferences through consultation with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop self-confidence in their physical skills as they use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. They enjoy playing at their local park and walking to the school and shops. There are suitable arrangements for rest and sleep according to children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children feel secure and safe as the childminder provides a safe environment. The childminder carries out safety checks around the areas which minimise the risks to children. They are encouraged to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe both indoors and on outings. Safety issues are highlighted in house rules. The good organisation of toys and equipment enables children to move around safely in the house. Children develop a good awareness of safety measures through emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a welcoming environment. Space is used appropriately and creatively in the house. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment which enables them to develop their learning skills. The resources are well organised to provide free choice to encourage children's independence. A wide range of resources is borrowed from the Local Authority on a regular basis to create a stimulating and interesting environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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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. The children show interest and happily take part in a wide range of good quality activities and play opportunities. They are confident in the setting and positively interact with the childminder and each other. The childminder responds well to their individual needs. To develop their imagination and language they take part in a variety of learning experiences. Babies show interest in what they see, hear and touch. For example when they see a cat in the garden they use gestures to indicate their excitement as well as limited language. They respond appropriately to cat noises made by the childminder. Babies are drawn to touch glossy materials used in illustrations in books and in the setting. Children use their imagination in art and design and take part in role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore and take part in physical activities regularly and make good use of local facilities. Using a variety of toys and equipment, they develop their intellectual skills. Children are involved in a wide range of first hand learning experiences including cooking, gardening and painting. Younger children use crayons and chalks to make lines on paper. They develop their social skills and enjoy being with other children at the childminders’ meetings and at the toddler group. However, children under three years old are not fully challenged because the childminder is still developing her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' frameworks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a sense of belonging. Babies appear to feel settled as the childminder is well aware of their needs and routines of rest, play and feeding times. They learn social skills and enjoy being with adults and peers. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world through appropriate resources that promote equality of opportunity. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have special needs the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents. Children are involved in decision making when selecting play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are happy and confident as the childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour which takes into account children’s levels of understanding and maturity. Behaviour management is discussed with parents through verbal communication. The children benefit from the childminder’s positive and professional relationship with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and at ease in an organised and safe environment. They benefit from welcoming premises where they feel secure and their individual needs are taken into account. The childminder regularly attends courses to keep abreast with developments in childcare. She holds a first aid certificate which is regularly updated. She has suitable arrangements to protect children and has undertaken relevant vetting procedures. This ensures that children receive appropriate care.

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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 All of the documents are maintained and stored appropriately. They are readily available for inspection and shared with parents to keep them informed of their child’s care and routines. Additional documentation is made available to parents relating to the childminder's qualifications, policies and information about the service provided.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to request written permission from parents before seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and administering medication to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now provided books, toys and dressing up clothes offering positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. She obtains written parental consent before administering medication and seeking emergency medical treatment. This means children’s needs are met regarding these issues.

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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): • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children as explained in 'Birth to three matters' framework

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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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