Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282090 Unique Reference Number 12 February 2007 Inspection date Patricia Webb 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 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her seven year old daughter in Wolverhampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding with additional use of a bedroom and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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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. There are currently five children on roll aged from six years to 10 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the child minding network and 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 satisfactory. Children are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle as they participate in daily rigorous activity. They enjoy dancing indoors as they choose their favourite pop music developing as sense of rhythm. They also bring their bikes and scooters along to the childminders to go for rides along local tracks and visit the nearby park regularly. They use small implements and cutlery with skill developing their manipulative skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are enjoyed by the children. The childminder discusses healthy eating with the children as they debate the merits of fresh foods over processed ingredients. They enjoy the social aspect of sitting together round the table as they chat about what fillings they like for the baked potato and how salad is healthy for you. Drinks are freely available throughout the day as children become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has effective procedures in place for reducing the risk of cross infection. Children have individual colour-coded hand towels both upstairs in the bathroom and in the kitchen as they are easily accessible on hooks. They know why good personal hygiene is important in keeping them healthy. Accidents are managed effectively by the childminder who completes accurate records for parents to see and sign thus ensuring children's continued good health and welfare. Her first aid certificate is due to expire shortly and she is currently researching an appropriate course to update this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the clean and welcoming home. They know they have to remove outdoor shoes and are very much at ease in the home. The rear garden is used at times and is fully secured. Children understand that recent inclement weather has prevented them from accessing this as the childminder explains to them that she has been unable to check it fully to ensure they would be safe. Arrangements are then made in negotiation between the childminder and the children to go for a walk to the local park later in the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a varied range of good quality resources available. Children make choices from a selection the childminder offers from the supply stored upstairs. She is aware of the favourite games and equipment which the children like and ensures that sufficient choice is available. Equipment is clean safe and suitable for the ages and stages of the children. Equipment for younger children is safely stored for use as necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an awareness of their own safety. They speak animatedly about having to make sure that their seat belts are fastened when going out in the car and that they don’t shout too loud to disturb the childminder when she is driving. This also develops a sense of responsibility within the children. Emergency evacuation procedures are explained to the children and daily risk assessments done by the childminder, identifying and minimising hazards to children and keeping them 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 Children are safeguarded as the childminder has sufficient knowledge of child protection. Whilst she is aware of whom to contact regarding any concerns about a child, she is not fully conversant with the procedures should an allegation of abuse be made against herself or people in the household whilst a child is in her care. Therefore, parents are not fully aware of the process that is put in place to promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are chatty, confident and content in the childminder's home. They discuss previous trips which they have undertaken with the childminder and delight in reminding her of forthcoming outings to the toy library and the Safari Park. Much hilarity is had when they decide to re-enact their version of the programme 'The X Factor'. Detailed discussion and negotiations take place about who will be Sharon Osborne and how will be Louis Walsh. They prepare for their 'auditions' dressing up and practising their singing with glee.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is mindful of the ages and stages of the children present and keenly aware of not stepping in too soon to arrange their play and activity. She understands how to encourage children to use their imagination and develop their own games and activities thus promoting their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Cookery is a particular favourite activity and the childminder shows the children the ideas she has had for such an activity later in the week. She plans a variety of activities to amuse, educate and enthral the children. They are preparing to visit the Black Country Museum as they learn about history and past lives. Such planning is shared with parents to enable any of the minded children to join the trip if it has been arranged for a day when they may not generally attend. This means that all children in her care have the opportunity to enjoy the full range of activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and valued by the childminder. She fosters warm and supportive relationships with them, knowing each child's needs well. They are developing an awareness of the diversity of society and their world around them as they visit local venues and access resources which promote positive images of race, culture and gender. Resources depicting disability are limited and hinder how children develop an understanding of the differing needs of others. The childminder is aware of accessing the local toy library to research such resources and ensures that children's questions about disability are answered positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed effectively by the childminder who is mindful of using strategies which promote their self-esteem and confidence. They know why they have received praise because the childminder explains how pleased she is with them and offers deserved praise. Where minor disputes do take place, the childminder remains calm and positive, reminding the children about the effect their behaviour has on others. She refers to positive outcomes and desired behaviour rather than the unacceptable behaviour, encouraging older children to

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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 consider the consequences of their actions and make choices about their conduct. Their achievements and efforts are shared with parents to promote a sense of pride and well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the partnership that is developed with parents. The childminder has developed a set of policies and procedures used with parents to outline the ethos of her service and explain the expectations of the service offered. This results in parents being fully informed of the activities, routines and documents which enable the childminder to care for their children as they wish. They receive information regarding the planned activities and have daily verbal feedback about their child's day. The childminder has a positive approach to discussing any concerns parents may have regarding the care of their child therefore promoting the partnership aspect in fostering children's welfare and well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. A warm and family-orientated environment is provided to promote children's health, welfare and enjoyment. They benefit from the commitment the childminder brings to her service, preparing varied and interesting activities and forming caring and respectful relationships with each other. She is an experienced practitioner, bringing some of her skills and ideas to her childminding to enhance the experiences for the children. She attends various training courses to update and extend her knowledge in child care and development.

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Organisation

Children are relaxed and settled in her care. They have easy access round the home and older children have the opportunity to play with discreet supervision, promoting their confidence and ability to make their own games and activities. The childminder is mindful of ensuring that children are never left alone with persons who have not been vetted in order to protect and safeguard the children in her care.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and confidentiality is acknowledged at all times. The record of children's daily attendance is not always completed accurately, potentially hindering how children's welfare is fostered through meeting the ratios and conditions of registration.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has moved house and has carried out careful risk assessments to identify and minimise any hazards to children. This includes ensuring that the premises are secure and that children cannot leave them without supervision. The record of children's daily attendance are in place but are not always completed on the day of attendance. This has been re-addressed at this inspection.

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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.

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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 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • complete the daily record for each child showing hours of attendance • develop knowledge and understanding of the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder • develop the range of resources depicting positive images of disability.

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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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