Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY240196 Inspection date 23 June 2005 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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 2002. She lives with her partner and three adult children. They live in a house in Halesowen within walking distance to local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet New Zealand Pied Cinnamon Kakareechi parrot and a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is accredited with the Dudley Childcare Network. She is registered to care for six children at any one time under the age of eight years and is currently minding six

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 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She works with an assistant.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Each day there are a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. For example they go to local parks where they have opportunities to run around, play ball games and access large climbing apparatus. They enjoy using the garden where they can dig in the sand or play with water. Children benefit from a nutritious and well balanced diet which the childminder discusses with their parents. They are offered a choice of fruits to eat with all their meals. The childminder changes her menu's to ensure all children's individual dietary needs are catered for. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day and the childminder ensures that they can access drinks independently. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene and a healthy living, through well organised activities and routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

and before eating their snacks and understand that this will keep them healthy. The children are well protected from infection, because the childminder has completed food handling training and has implemented changes to her nappy changing routines, in order to improve her hygiene practices.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is secure and generally safe for them to play in, although they are not aware of the emergency evacuation procedures, which the childminder has not made them aware of or practiced with them. They benefit well from the childminders good awareness of safety issues and her vigilance in recognising potential hazards. For example she ensures children are protected from the sun and removes all potential hazards. Children use a wide range of good, suitable, safe toys and equipment which are stored to allow them to access them safely and independently, because the childminder ensures that they are checked and cleaned regularly. Children are kept very safe when out with the childminder, who uses restraints, talks to them about the safe use of the road and has obtained the consent of their parents to take them out. Children's welfare is very well protected because the childminder ensures that

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

everyone who has regular contact with them is vetted and that her knowledge of first aid is kept up to date. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect them from possible abuse or neglect and holds all relevant documents regarding child protection. For example she questions parents about children arriving with existing injuries.

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 settle well at the childminders house and are given good opportunities to independently choose and select from a variety of toys, books and activities which they enjoy. They play happily together and are beginning to learn how to share and take turns from the wide range of activities stored encourage them to initiate their own play. They are provided with a good range of interesting activities and experiences which help's them to acquire new knowledge and skills. The childminder recognises when children are developing and introduces new resources to stimulate them and help them progress in their development. Children are supported well in their play and are given individual support and attention by the childminder and her family. Children enjoy listening to stories and playing with a range of musical instruments. All children enjoy creative activities as they draw, paint or model with dough and the childminder provides good

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities for older children to develop skills in preparation for writing. The children benefit from the childminders knowledge and support from the quality assurance scheme and her good knowledge of birth to three. She has introduced the treasure bag for younger children, using a range of natural and tactile materials to encourage children to develop their senses. Children are developing good social skills as they attend groups or go on visits to places of interest with the childminder. They are consistently praised by the childminder, who supports in developing their self esteem and confidence. She spends times listening to the children and engaging in their play, whilst building good relationships with them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and are treated with equal concern. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with their parents. Children are beginning to have an awareness of the wider world as the childminder presents them with a range of resources to reflect the diversity of the community around them. The children behave very well and are beginning to understand what the childminder expects of them. She sets clear boundaries for all children, in particular older children are allowed to resolve their own differences with intervention from the childminder. She talks to them about sharing; being nice to each other and are beginning to show consideration for others. Children benefit from the positive relationship the childminder has with their parents and the level of information she shares with them regarding their progress,

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

development and daily activities. She shares all her policies with the parents and maintains all the relevant documents and consents to ensure she provides good quality care for the children.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminders home which is well organised to support their play and learning. The range of experiences available to them has a positive impact on their development. This means that they are confident to engage in activities that have been organised for them. The childminder and her assistant work very well together she ensures that she is fully aware of her responsibilities and they have discussed all the policies and procedures. The childminder has a number of policies which she regularly updates and shares with parents who are given daily verbal feedback about their children's day. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and maintained confidentially. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has developed a complaints procedure to inform parents of how to make a complaint, it includes the contact details for Ofsted.

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 children are aware of and practice the fire evacuation procedure.

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:

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 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.6