Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100770 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2007 Inspection date Susan Rogers 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 11 in Walsall. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has two rabbits. There were no children present at the inspection.

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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. The childminder describes how she explains the children about the need for good hygiene. She promotes routines that encourage children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. All children use a communal hand towel which has the potential to cause cross contamination. Children's health is generally supported as the childminder has established appropriate procedures for the administration of medication, however, her first aid certificate has recently expired.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrated through discussion that she understands is the importance of healthy eating and ensures that children eat food which meets with their preferences and dietary requirements. She encourages children to eat their meals in a positive social setting by all sitting together at a table. She gives descriptive accounts of the types of conversations that promote children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating. Through discussion and appropriate documentation she shows that children's allergies and preferences are respected which, therefore, protects their welfare. She demonstrates that children are protected by recording information on their health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates good awareness of promoting opportunities for children to enjoy healthy exercise. She organises her daily routines so there is plenty of time to walk to school. There are good opportunities for children to use wheeled toys, play in the garden and visit local parks where they play with larger fixed equipment. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of how to promote children's positive health. For example, she protects them from infectious diseases by ensuring parents fully understand the sick child policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected as they walk to and from school as the childminder explains that she uses coats and hats to protect them from the colder weather. She ensures they are well protected in the sun by providing shaded areas and applying sun protection cream.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Through discussion of childminder describes how she encourages children to learn about the dangers of fire. For example, she discusses the dangers of the fire in the living room and regularly practices fire drills with the children. The safe evacuation procedure ensures that children learn about the dangers of fire. The childminder explains how she uses the available space to meet children's different needs and ensures they have suitable learning opportunities. For example, the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which, therefore, provides children with a variety of different play opportunities. The childminder combines the care of younger and older children by the careful organisation of space. Children can safely access a suitable range of toys and equipment that include activity toys, craft equipment and a play kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her premises and, therefore, minimises any potential risks. She ensures that children's safety is prioritised by using suitable safety equipment to protect their well-being. She describes how children's activities are supervised by ensuring that she is present at all times whilst they play. She maintains children's safety in the rear garden by remaining with them at all times.

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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 childminder talks about promoting children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe by discussing road safety awareness during the journey to and from school. The childminder understands how to protect children if there are any concerns regarding their care, she has all the relevant contact numbers and parents are aware of her responsibility to record and report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she has a good awareness of children's play needs and, therefore, is suitably equipped to meet their individual needs. She demonstrates how she develops her practice and expertise through extending her own training which helps her promote children's learning. The childminder explains that she encourages children to suggest play activities and has found that creative activities and imaginary play are very popular. Children develop their social skills by playing in the park and attending toddler groups where they can meet other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes her own involvement in children's play as she ensures she offers suggestions and actively involves herself in children's activities. She encourages children to forge positive relationships with each other ensuring their play is enhanced when other children are involved. Through discussion childminder describes how she supports children through encouragement and ensures they are meaningfully engaged in activities that promote their learning. She describes how she encourages their language development through reading stories and appropriate conversations with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder appreciates the need to provide activities that offer challenge that further children's development. Through discussion she describes how suitable activities help children progress onto the next stage in their development. For example, appropriate equipment is provided to encourage younger children to make progress in walking. The childminder describes how children support each other in their play activities with older children being encouraged to provide positive role models for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Through discussion the childminder describes how she keeps parents well informed regarding their child's care. The childminder provides parents with informative policies and procedures, therefore, promoting children's continuity of care. She describes how she promotes children's positive behaviour with their parents by encouraging parents to work with her to resolve any concerns. The childminder ensures that she and the parents have a daily conversation where they discuss their child's progress and ensures they are well-informed regarding their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder describes how she encourages children's positive self-esteem by offering praise and having clear expectations. Children's achievements are well valued as the childminder displays their art work and encourages children to take work home. Therefore, parents have an understanding of their child's activities and aspects of their development. The childminder plans to offer a caring environment ensuring that children are happy and secure. Children are encouraged to settle well as the childminder encourages a gradual settling in process.

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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 childminder demonstrates that children are valued as individuals. The daily routine promotes their individual needs as the childminder accommodates parents wishes whilst providing care for their child. The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of managing children's behaviour through a variety of effective strategies that encourage children to take responsibility for their own actions. For example, she encourages children to share and offers explanations that children can appreciate. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their environment by clearing away their toys following their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she understands the impact of current legislation in respect of the care of children with disabilities and or learning difficulties. Therefore, she is able to provide care that meets the needs of all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates how she supports children's needs by flexible planning and listening to their preferences. Therefore, she provides activities that children prefer and promotes their development through suitable activities. She ensures that parents are aware of the procedures to follow if there are any concerns regarding their child's care through an appropriate complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The childminder has effective contingency plans in place to ensure that children are cared for by adults that are vetted. However, not all of the adults living in the household have accessible documentation to confirm that they are vetted which, therefore, compromises children's welfare.

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Organisation

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she has an organised approach to children's care, therefore, supports their individual needs. She extends her own learning and therefore demonstrates that she protects children's welfare by developing her childminding practice.

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Organisation

Documentation and procedures are well presented and accessible to parents this, therefore, ensures parents understand the type of care their child receives. However, children's welfare is compromised as she has not updated her first aid certificate. Well presented documentation promotes children's welfare. For example, there is a up-to-date attendance register and children's contracts have been recently updated. Overall, the evidence suggests the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure the emergency escape plan is practised with the minded children. Children are now gaining an understanding of how to protect themselves against fire as they practice emergency escape plan with the childminder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection that have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • promote the welfare of children by ensuring that documentation is available for inspection at all times and maintain an up-to-date first aid qualification • promote the good health of children by reviewing the hand washing procedures.

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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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