Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

257243 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Patricia Webb 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her three teenage children in the Coseley area of Dudley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently ten children on roll. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The family has one cat.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an awareness of following a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a range of activities designed to promote their physical development as they walk to and from school daily, visit local parks and some commercial, play venues, building their confidence and skills.

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 Meals are a social affair with regard given to particular dietary needs and preferences. Children learn about healthy eating through activities such as going to local shops to buy ingredients and then engaging in cookery as they make cakes and pizza for their own consumption and sharing with their family at home.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children understand why it is good practice to wash their hands before meals and the childminder is mindful of ensuring that her cleaning and hygiene procedures reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Accidents are managed efficiently as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification, records any incidents for parents to sign and ensures that the first aid box is kept fully stocked should it be required. The administration of medication is generally managed well. However, there is a potential risk to children's well-being with regard to some medicines. Whilst the childminder obtains verbal permission from parents to attend to conditions such as fluctuating temperatures, there are times when some of the paediatric painkiller medicine administered is supplied by the childminder rather than medication the parent has supplied for their individual child.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the family-orientated environment offered by the childminder. The home is clean and comfortable, affording children space to play easily and make choices about their activities. They select from a range of resources which are carefully chosen to stimulate and interest them, supplemented by additional use of the local toy library to reduce any risk of boredom. Resources and equipment are clean safe and suitable for the ages and stages of the children attending.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder endeavours to ensure the premises are safe and secure, promoting children's well-being. Fire evacuation procedures are clear and all consents are in place for transporting minded children in a vehicle. Correct attention is paid to the use of appropriate safety seats and restraints when children travel in the car. However, there are some hazards evident. Some cosmetics and toiletries are within children's reach in the first floor bathroom and the banisters can be easily climbed due to their design.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder is aware of the child protection procedures. Having attended recent training, she is confident in addressing any concerns in line with the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Parents are informed of her duty of care to act in the best interest of the child at all times.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share a warm relationship with the childminder who enjoys their company, chatting about their morning in nursery and what they would like for lunch. Children participate in a wide range of activities, some for sustained lengths of time. For instance, they play with a 'sizzling kitchen' activity, preparing an imaginary lunch which is then shared with other adults present in the home. One four-year-old points out that the play cooker is not a barbecue 'cos it's got no wheels!'

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are confident in engaging in their play with the adults, bringing 'meals' for each person. Such practice and play opportunities enable children to develop their social skills and build trusting relationships with adults. They enjoy sitting together around the dining table for meals

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and chat about what they are going to do in the afternoon. They recall having made cakes in a cookery activity and also discuss what toppings they favoured for their homemade pizzas.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy meeting regularly with other children as they visit the local childminder group and investigate the working of the local firefighters who have visited the group. Regular visits to local amenities and commercial play venues extend children's awareness of their community. They also enjoy extended activities during outings to parks, the zoo and the safari park. Children receive positive support during play activities as the childminder promotes their speech and language skills and encourages them to think about what they are doing, such as when drawing their attention to counting the numbers of sausages they are 'cooking' and recognising numbers and letters in the story.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are very much at ease in the home, developing strong and positive relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are learning to share and consider others through the effective behaviour management strategies used by the childminder. Children's achievements and efforts are recognised and praised and are particularly pertinent to them, such as when acknowledging a child's progress with toileting. They are encouraged to show good manners as they are gently reminded by the childminder about waiting their turn when others are speaking.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

They are valued and respected by the childminder as they develop a sense of belonging in her care. They often look through the photograph album of past activities, chatting about the occasions and recalling what they did. Children's particular needs are identified through discussion with parents and the childminder ensures that these are followed. Children are encouraged to consider the differences in society as they visit local venues in the area and access positive images of diversity in their everyday play. Images of disability are currently limited hindering how children further develop an awareness of the differing needs of others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the regular exchange of information between the childminder and their parents and carers. Informal discussions take place at the beginning and end of the day with the additional use of a daily diary for younger children. This keeps parents informed of activities and ongoing progress and also provides a clear indication of how the childminder is committed to working in partnership with parents to meet individual needs. Contracts with parents are regularly reviewed in order to ensure that such information is up to date and that specific needs are identified. The childminder is aware of the need to work closely with parents to address any concerns they may have regarding their children's care. Parents indicate their appreciation and satisfaction with the childminder and the level of service she provides. There is currently no format yet in place for sharing information from complaints with parents, hindering how

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

they can be fully informed of matters which may affect their children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and at home in the homely environment provided by the childminder and her family. Children settle quickly on arrival and move around the home confidently, accessing the play space easily. They are well-supported in their learning and participation in activities by the childminder with additional input from the childminder's assistant. Together, they work

p.4

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 consistently, supporting the children in their development and enjoyment of the time they spend in the childminder's home.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder attends relevant training which contributes to the children's care and well-being. This includes first aid and child protection training, to ensure her practice is up to date. All of the required documentation is in place and maintained accurately for the effective care and well-being of the children.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection, the childminder has addressed the recommendation regarding improving the accuracy of the daily attendance register. Using a commercial format, children's arrival and departure is clearly logged each day, ensuring that ratios and conditions of registration are met with regard to the numbers of children cared for at any one time.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action.

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

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

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): • ensure that any medication administered to children is provided by parents • improve children's safety with regard to cosmetics and toiletries in the bathroom and the landing banister • devise a format for recording appropriate levels of information from complaints to share with parents.

p.5

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.5

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.5