Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY294778 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Elaine Poulton

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 good. 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 2004. She lives in a terraced house close to the centre of Walsall, West Midlands. Local shops, parks and library are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for two children who are over eight years of age on a part time basis after school.

p.2

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 There is one pet cat and five rabbits. The childminder has an early year’s qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends a local playgroup.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and learn about good personal hygiene and good health through daily routines which are practised consistently. Older children use the bathroom independently and are learning good hygiene routines. Younger children are encouraged and assisted appropriately with their daily hygiene routines. Children have their dietary needs met as the childminder works well with parents to meet their individual needs. Children eat their meals and snacks together and benefit from a healthy range of nutritious foods. They are offered regular drinks throughout the day gaining their independence through choosing when they have them. Children take part in varied activities which contribute their good health. They enjoy active indoor and outdoor play, gaining control of both larger and smaller movements, for example, on wheeled toys and small building blocks. Regular walks to school and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

visits to the park, library and shops contribute to their general well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can move around safely as space is well organised. They are free to explore and experiment during indoor and outdoor play and they enjoy the activities. Children are well supervised as the childminder is aware of the importance of safety arrangements and reducing hazards. They play in a secure garden and have access to a good range of age appropriate resources and equipment to meet their needs. Children play in a warm, welcoming environment and are gaining a good awareness of the importance of their own safety and others. Older children are aware of what is safe and acceptable, for example, to use the steps when going up the slide as smaller children copy their example. Children are gaining a good understanding of dangers inside and outside the home as the childminder includes them all in making the rules. Older children are also beginning to be aware of the procedures to follow in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

an emergency. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder keeping up to date with training in health and safety, having a current first aid certificate, and a secure understanding of the child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute to their overall development for example imaginative role-play, modelling with play dough, sorting and sizing building blocks mark-making and physical outdoor play. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and settle in quickly. They behave well and are encouraged, respond to challenges and are praised appropriately. They benefit from regular outings to the park, library, shops and local playgroup. Children are becoming more independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all age ranges. They listen and respond to the childminder and enjoy sharing stories and songs. Children’s interest is sustained and learning is encouraged through a very good range of suitably maintained resources that promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to play together and behave well. Behaviour management strategies are discussed with parents. Children's self esteem is promoted and good behaviour is encouraged and praised through the effective and consistent approach the childminder has for dealing with a range of children's behaviour. Children respond to age and stage appropriate tactics, such as, distracting younger children and offering alternative activities and discussion and talking about consequences of behaviour with older children. Children benefit from a two-way exchange of information and friendly relationship between parents and childminder. This promotes children's welfare and ensures information about likes and dislikes and individual needs is shared and needs are met. Children are encouraged to play together and take turns on equipment, such as the slide. They are helped to develop a positive attitude toward one another and are

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

gaining a sense of what is right and wrong. Children have opportunity to play with equipment, games toys and resources that all reflect positive images of cultures, religions and others similarities and differences. They are beginning to show care and concern for each other and have a developing awareness of others needs.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well organised space and resources. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and care and needs of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's routines and activities. However, the attendance records

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 do not accurately reflect individual children's time of arrival and departure. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to keep children safe and protect children from illness and infection, for example, vetting procedures, excluding sick children and maintaining good hygiene routines. The childminder exploits a wide range of resources and plans a good range and balance of activities to enhance children's learning and development in all areas. The childminder attends network meetings and training courses to update her knowledge and skills. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since registration.

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 good. 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 attendance records accurately reflect individual children's time of arrival and departure.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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