Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205043 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Linda Christie Ravenall

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 18, 15 and 11 years. They live in a house in Redditch, Worcestershire. The whole of the ground floor and a toilet on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under five at any one time and is currently minding four children, one of whom is full time and one child over five, after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local carer and toddler groups, and takes the children on

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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 regular outings further a field. The family have a pet hamster. The childminder is a member of the local childminders support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and healthy environment where children are learning the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder takes positive steps to encourage children's understanding and awareness of good health and hygiene procedures, through discussion and regular routines. They are learning to wash their hands before eating, both in the childminders home and when visiting other venues. The children are generally well cared for if they become ill and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. All the required documentation is readily accessible, however procedures to regularly check the contents of the first aid box, are lax. Children are developing an awareness of a healthy lifestyle as the childminder enables them take part in a range of regular physical activities at the park and local play areas. The childminder seeks information about the children's dietary needs as

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Helping children to be healthy

well as their likes and dislikes. She takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices, to provide healthy snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. The children enjoy walking to school up to three times per day, striding out confidently and enjoying the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a safe and secure home where the childminder recognises most risks, and is able to minimise them effectively. All the appropriate safety equipment is in place for example, several safety gates to limit access and functioning smoke alarms. Although the garden is fully enclosed and gated on two levels, the rear gate is not secure. Children learn about safety within planned and unplanned play and learning activities. Safety issues are discussed with and understood, by the older children. Children’s awareness of safety is continuously developed through every day activities within the home and during outings. They learn about keeping themselves safe in the home and while walking from school. The childminder supervises them carefully, praises them for their developing road safety awareness and ability to keep themselves safe. Children benefit from access to a generally good range of resources covering all

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

areas of development for example, large building bricks, puzzles, books, dolls and sit

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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 and rides and tot-rockers. All equipment is safe and very well maintained, however there are limited opportunities for children to learn about the importance of safety precautions for younger children, as their access to small construction bricks is limited when the toddlers are attending. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a basic awareness of child protection however, she does not hold a copy of the local protection procedures and existing injuries are not recorded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a generally good awareness of child development to ensure that the children's personal, social and emotional needs are fostered well and as a result, they are very happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. The children relate very well to each other, the childminder, and her family. They approach the childminder confidently for cuddles and reassurance and are able to develop independence in their self care and, in their ability to access and ask for resources. Most children are encouraged to achieve regardless of gender or ability, however there are no specific activities planned for babies and toddlers to meet their next stage of development through play and learning. Children's social skills and language skills are very well promoted through regular opportunities to meet and play with other children and adults, at a variety of play and learning venues such as playgroup, and local carer and toddler groups. Their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

mathematical language and thinking is developed through daily songs, rhymes, books and every day domestic routines, such as sorting clean laundry by colour and size. Although the children's individual care needs are generally well met, they lack access to regular creative opportunities within the home. The children are encouraged to make the most of their experiences from an excellent range of planned trips. The childminder considers carefully what the children may learn for example, the wonder and lifecycle of wildlife such as swans and cygnets, and care for the environment. This enables them to develop an understanding and healthy respect, for the world around them. Although the dry patio area outdoors has limited space for children to play, one child is learning to manoeuvre the go cart skilfully and shares his pleasure and achievements with another child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder uses clear and consistent boundaries for managing behaviour. This enables children to learn to understand how to cooperate and develop an understanding of responsible behaviour. They demonstrate excellent manners at meal times and behave well. The children are gaining a growing respect for each other and are learning how to work harmoniously together with children of all ages. The children are happy and helpful, both to the childminder and each other. All the children eagerly help to carry a big bag of lightweight construction bricks together

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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 from the cupboard and tidy away happily and willingly, when time to do so. The childminder actively supports and encourages children to make choices and decisions, to help develop their self esteem. They are sociable, happy and confident individuals. They help sort clean washing, access the toilet independently and spread their own toast after making decisions about what they want to eat. Some aspects of equality of opportunity are well promoted through full and free access to all toys and equipment for example, boys and girls play happily together with prams, dollies and handbags. However the childminder does not always provide sufficiently challenging activities for the more able children who develop at a quicker pace than other children. Limited progress has been made to enable the children to become aware of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

wider society as they have few opportunities to access other resources on a daily basis, to reflect positive images of diversity and special needs. Partnerships with parents are generally good and enable children's individual care needs to be met. The childminder discusses routines, likes and dislikes with the children and parents before they start, and daily exchanges of information take place, to ensure the children are happy and settled in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The space within the house and garden is reasonably organised to meet the needs of the children and enable them to feel at home and at ease. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of when to inform Ofsted of significant changes to the provision, and how to protect children from people who have not been vetted. All the required documentation is readily available for inspection and confidentiality is maintained. Procedures for regularly checking child information sheets with parents are not in place and progress to comply with recommendations to improve medication records, has been slow. The registration, insurance and first aid certificates are clearly displayed in the hallway, to keep parents informed. Some additional information for parents about the service available is provided and the childminder is beginning to review existing documentation to ensure it remains up to

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Organisation

date. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve medication consent procedures and provide an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has recently developed a medication record to obtain written consent from parents before any medication is given, to ensure she complies with parents wishes. Little progress has been made to provide children with access to resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness

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Improvements 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 of diversity.

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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): • develop effective procedures to maintain a fully stocked first aid box • plan and provide a range of suitable activities for babies and toddlers, to build on their existing skills and to enhance their sensory development, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework • further develop your knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures, maintain records of existing injuries and improve safety procedures to ensure the rear gate is secure at all times, to keep the children safe • plan and provide older and more able children, with increased opportunities to experience small construction play and ensure all children have daily access to toys and resources reflecting positive images of diversity, in every day play situations • develop effective procedures to ensure child information records are regularly

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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

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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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