Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342385 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2007 Inspection date Rachel Wyatt 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 five and seven near Bromsgrove. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder regularly works with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, and is currently minding six children who all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The family has a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She 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. Children are looked after in a clean and comfortable home. The childminder has a regular regime for cleaning but she ensures that this does not inhibit children's freedom to be creative and to enjoy different aspects of exploratory play. Children are encouraged to help keep the home safe and tidy, assisting with clearing up and taking responsibility for putting away their possessions in their designated drawer.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices such as effective hand washing and using a tissue to wipe their nose. Child-friendly features in the bathroom, such as a toddler stand, liquid soap and individual flannels, encourage their independence. Younger children soon become confident in managing their personal hygiene aided by the childminder's friendly encouragement.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being are promoted. If they have an accident, become unwell or require medication, appropriate procedures are followed, their parents informed and required documents kept. Children's individual health and dietary needs are effectively met. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure she clearly understands how to promote different aspects of children's care so that, for example, meals incorporate any dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about aspects of a healthy lifestyle through discussions at meal times and from taking regular exercise. Visiting the local adventure playground is a popular after school activity for all the children being looked after. They are also able to relax as the childminder offers quiet activities, stories and games and opportunities for children to sleep and rest in comfort.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as the childminder works with parents to ensure they have balanced meals and snacks. Parents provide children's lunches, and the childminder offers good breakfasts and cooked meals after school. Children help to prepare some meals, for example putting toppings on their pizza, and they assist with setting the table or clearing away. They are given regular drinks from their own named beaker or cup. Parents appreciate how the childminder encourages children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, including some they have grown themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted as they are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder ensures hazards are minimised by the effective use of safety equipment, such as gates, socket covers and guards, and by adapting her practice to reduce risks. Consequently the garden is currently not being used for play until remaining materials arising from recent building work are removed. Other suitable outdoor play venues are available so children can continue to be active. The completion of a new ground floor room means children have an inviting play area with ready access to toys, resources and space to explore.

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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 use age-appropriate, good quality toys and equipment. The childminder checks these regularly to ensure they are consistently well maintained. Toys and games are also rotated often to give children choice and variety. Domestic appliances, including fire detection equipment such as smoke alarms, are upgraded and checked regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is assured on outings. Parents give their consent to children using transport and going on outings. Children learn about basic road safety when out walking and when travelling by car. The childminder ensures her car is properly equipped with suitable seats and restraints. Children develop an awareness of other aspects of safety, for example walking carefully downstairs after visiting the bathroom or using equipment correctly. Children are also prepared for emergencies because they discuss and occasionally practice the childminder's evacuation plan. She has also developed effective contingency arrangements, which parents are aware of, so that children can be looked after by a responsible person if the childminder is unable to do so because of unforeseen circumstances.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder understands her role in safeguarding them. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary, as reflected in her policy. She also makes sure parents understand her responsibility for safeguarding children and how she will maintain good communication with them regarding their child's welfare. These include arrangements for the dropping off and collection of children so that they are handed over to the right person. Children are sensitively introduced to issues relating to their personal welfare. They discuss how to respond should they meet someone they do not know and understand the importance of staying near the childminder when out walking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the interesting activities provided for them. A good selection of toys, resources and games cater for their differing abilities and ages. A shopping game is enjoyed by older children, whilst cards from the game are used as prompts to help a younger child recognise different items when visiting the supermarket with the childminder. Children enthusiastically take part in outings, outdoor physical play activities, and special events organised by the childminder, such as a Christmas dinner and a Halloween party.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and contented as they have a warm rapport with the childminder. She sensitively joins in their play but without inhibiting their ideas. She talks easily to children and fosters their understanding naturally, for example when looking at books they talk on a range of subjects from sheep and lambs to a discussion about feelings. Younger children's speech and vocabulary develop well as the childminder encourages their conversation and introduces them to new words. Children are also encouraged to describe what they see and to recall events in their lives.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's ideas and suggestions are promoted, for example when they design their own flag or discuss and draw their favourite things. The childminder ensures they have plenty of choice and are able to make their own decisions about the games and activities they take part in. Children can help themselves to art and craft materials, including interesting books which promote their drawing and painting skills. As a result children are creative, confidently trying

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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 out various colours or mixing them, and using various brushes and tools. They are absorbed in these activities. Children are proud of their artwork; their efforts are praised by the childminder who often displays their pictures in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's care and developmental needs are effectively met as the childminder works in partnership with their parents to ensure she is well informed. Her positive attitude, as reflected in her equal opportunities and special needs policies, means that children's differing abilities are recognised and provided for in activities and in the way she manages their behaviour. As a result children feel valued, their opinions and views are acknowledged, and their parents appreciate the quality of the childminder's support. Children also feel a sense of belonging as their work is displayed, they have a special place for their possessions, and toys and activities reflect their interests and choices. Children are encouraged to discuss aspects of their own lives, and the childminder fosters their awareness of diversity through books promoting positive images and informal discussions, for example about Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour in line with childminder's behaviour management policy. They are encouraged to look after their possessions and to make decisions. Children appreciate aspects of safe behaviour both in the home and when out. They have good relationships, playing together, taking turns and helping each other or assisting the childminder. She makes sure that parents are aware of how any inappropriate behaviour will be managed, according to children's age and their level of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is an effective partnership with parents who express satisfaction with the quality of the childminding provision. They are generally well informed as they have opportunities for initial visits and to settle their children. They read helpful policies and information about the childminder's procedures. Appropriate agreements are made with parents about their children's care and business arrangements. Parents are given daily verbal feedback about their children's activities. The childminder's complaints policy encourages parents to discuss concerns with her, as well as signposting them to Ofsted. However, parents are not fully aware of their rights as the childminder is not familiar with certain aspects regarding the management and recording of complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Parents are reassured regarding the childminder's suitability, experience and training. She ensures parents can see her certificate of registration which is displayed, and that they know that she and her husband, who is her assistant, are vetted. Parents and carers are also shown evidence of training attended by the childminder, and she has obtained their agreement regarding the role of her assistant.

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Organisation

Children are settled and secure. The childminder ensures they take part in worthwhile activities which reflect their interests, promote their ideas, and are appropriate for their abilities. The

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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 childminder organises her day effectively. As a result sessions run smoothly and children benefit from her support and the involvement of her assistant. However, whilst children's hours of attendance are recorded, it is not always clear how ratios are maintained as no details are kept relating to the times her assistant is present. In other respects documentation effectively supports children's care. The childminder ensures she obtains all relevant information and agreements from parents. Records are ready to hand for her ease of reference, but securely stored to maintain confidentiality. Overall children’s needs are met.

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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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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): • improve knowledge of regulations in relation to the management and recording of any complaints so that parents are fully aware of their rights • improve attendance recording to demonstrate how ratios are met when an assistant is present.

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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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