Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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210016 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Julie Mary Preston 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in Huntington, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a full and part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group, visits the local park and local indoor play area. The family has a dog, a rabbit and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is part of an approved NCMA childminding network.

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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 childminder promotes the good health of children and in the main takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection, implementing appropriate measures when children are ill. For example, she provides a written illness policy, encourages children to learn about their own personal hygiene and has a written pet policy. However, children all dry their hands on one towel. This poses a potential risk of cross infection. The premises, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. Appropriate accident records, emergency treatment consent, first aid box and medication records are in place and completed; and the childminder has provided a written accident and emergency policy. However, not all medication records are signed by the parents/carers after medication has been administered to acknowledge awareness of the entry. This means parents potentially are not aware of the time medication was administered to their

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that meals provided by parents are hygienically stored, prepared, cooked and served to children who attend. She supplies children with a range of drinks and snacks for children to supplement these, encouraging them to have the healthier options available and freely access drinks independently at any time. For example, she encourages children to drink water instead of no added sugar cordial. This ensures children are not hungry or thirsty and that their dietary needs are addressed. Children have regular opportunities to be active both inside and outside. For example, children use the rear garden for outside play, visit the local park and undertake walks within the local environment. Opportunities for rest and sleep are provided according to individual children's needs and parental wishes. This means that children have opportunities to be active and to have time for rest within normal daily

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and child-friendly environment with adequate play space available to allow them to access a wide range of activities and experiences. For example, the childminder has undertaken a risk assessment of the premises in order to address children's safety whilst in her care. Suitable facilities are provided for children to toilet themselves, access outdoor play and for them to rest or sleep within the childminder's home which is maintained at an adequate temperature. Provision is made for hygienic storage, preparation, cooking and serving of food within the kitchen area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of age-appropriate toys and equipment that are clean and safe to use. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within her home and whilst on outings, ensuring appropriate precautions are taken to prevent accidents. For example, she encourages children to learn how to keep themselves safe by discussing and reinforcing road safety, she maintains security of her premises, identifies written fire procedures and has identified procedures for outings. Children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder understands her role in child protection and has identified appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care including gaining an awareness of local procedures and contact details.

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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. Children are very happy, settled and show enjoyment of their time in the childminder's care. For example, children enjoy looking at books, washing their hands and participating in role play. They are confident and make themselves at home within the childminder's house. The children interact well with the childminder and each other and good relationships are evident. Children gain confidence to express their needs and wants with the childminder who actively takes time to listen and value their input, extending on their ideas and interests well through ongoing discussion and questioning. For example, the childminder discussed the bird that the children could see out of the window, looking at its different features and explaining what he was doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A wide range of resources and activities are provided to ensure children have opportunities for development, independence and that they actively enjoy their time in the childminder's care. For example, children enjoy playing in the rear garden, undertaking cooking activities and playing with the instruments. All children spend their time purposefully within the range of adult and child-led activities undertaken, with the childminder appropriately supporting and extending children's individual play and learning. The childminder has a detailed knowledge and understanding of each child who attends and is aware of their individual capabilities and requirements. This enables her to adapt and extend activities to ensure each child gains the most out of the activities and experiences that they participate in. The childminder has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently implementing it within

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

her practice. For example, she is beginning to undertake assessments and observation of children's learning within each aspect of the framework and undertakes activities with children that promote young children's learning within each aspect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and all children are respected and valued as individuals. She provides children with opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity and the wider society through the range of activities and resources she provides. For example, children undertake activities relating to people who live in different countries around the world looking at the types of homes they live in, the clothes they wear and the types of food the eat. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder provides positive images of diversity, lets children make choices; and offers children lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements. Currently no children attend the setting with any learning difficulties or disabilities. However, the childminder has identified procedures in place to offer appropriate care in close liaison with parents and other agencies

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They behave well and respond well to the childminder's management of their behaviour. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and play together nicely. The childminder works well in partnership with parents, sharing information daily through discussion to enable her to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. She ensures parents are fully aware of her procedures and how children will be cared for by providing a wide range of written and verbal policies and procedures that she shares with parents during initial visits.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder exceeds relevant training requirements and is committed to continually update and extend her practice. Both she and her family remain suitable to look after children and have unsupervised access to them. Children are comfortable and make themselves at home within the setting. Adequate space is well organised both inside and outside the home to enable children to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Adult to child ratios positively support children enabling them to feel secure and happy within the childminder's care. Verbal and written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared daily with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's well being. This contributes to continuity of care. All required documentation is in place and most is accurately completed and maintained. Overall the provision

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Organisation

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 agreed to ensure that all records relating to dates of birth of all children are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. This recommendation has now been addressed and dates of birth were readily available at the time of inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004 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): • ensure all medication records are signed by the parents/carers after medication has been administered to acknowledge awareness of the entry • minimise the risk of cross infection by extending the hand drying facilities available.

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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 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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