Carole Graham

Inspection report for early years provision

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224481 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Mason 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1990. She lives with her husband in Stoke-on-Trent within walking distance of local schools, shops and children's play areas. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has two dogs as pets to which children do not have access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently cares for four children on a full-time and part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Satisfactory procedures are in place to promote health and hygiene. Arrangements for nappy changing are mostly effective to promote good health and prevent cross-infection. Children are learning about the importance of washing their hands after toileting. However, they do not

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 wash their hands before eating and this has the potential to compromise their health. Despite this children are learning about good health practices. For example, each child has their own named bag with a toothbrush and face cloth that are used after lunch. Each child also has an individual hand towel to prevent the spread of infection. Effective procedures for sick children help to ensure that the best interests of all children are met if they are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted appropriately. The childminder is aware of the need to promote fresh fruit and vegetables to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits. Hot or cold snacks or a cooked meal are offered at lunch time and children are able to access fresh fruit or biscuits for snack times. Toast is usually offered when the childminder returns with the younger children from taking the older ones to school. Special dietary needs can be met in discussion with parents and carers. Parental preferences are respected. Children are offered drinks regularly to ensure that they do not become thirsty. Drinks for older children are kept readily available and they are encouraged to be independent in helping themselves to their own drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. However, the arrangements for where children sleep are not effective to promote their good health as some children sleep on the floor without sheets, pillows or other bedding under them. Physical development is promoted satisfactorily. The childminder encourages children to play outdoors each day in order that they develop physical skills and have fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate awareness of child protection issues to enable her to safeguard children's welfare. She is aware of some of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has satisfactory arrangements in place to manage and report concerns. Good procedures for the collection of children helps to ensure that they are not able to leave with persons not nominated by parents and carers. Security is good to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised and to prevent unauthorised access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure environment. The space is organised to allow for a variety of play and routine experiences with most of the childminding activities taking place in the conservatory. Toys are safe and suitable for their purpose and there are satisfactory arrangements for maintaining the cleanliness of them. A range of toys is selected each day for children to choose from.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good arrangements are in place to ensure that children can play safely in the conservatory. For example, electrical sockets that are accessible to children are covered. Adequate safety arrangements are in place in the rest of the rooms used by children. Effective emergency evacuation procedures have been identified to ensure that children can be kept safe in the event of needing to evacuate the premises in an emergency. Working smoke alarms are in place on each level of the premises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are offered a varied day that offers them a range of play and routine experiences. The childminder plans her day around taking older children to school and collecting them at the end of the day. Children are able to select from a varied range of toys and activities that are selected each day by the childminder. However, the television is on in the background all of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 time. The volume is quite loud and children are distracted by it, preventing them from becoming absorbed in what they are doing. Independence is encouraged as children have free choice from the range provided and their choice is respected. A consistent routine is offered that helps children to be settled and confident. Children have the opportunity to be outdoors each day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although developmental outcomes for children would be improved by using a framework in line with 'Birth to three matters' the childminder shows a good interest in what children say and do. She engages children in doing age-appropriate inset jigsaws and chats to them about the items in the picture, encouraging them to name familiar items. She names unfamiliar items for the children and encourages them to repeat the word back to her. Individual routines are followed with regard to feeding and sleeping to help ensure continuity of care. This takes up a lot of the childminder's time as she cares for three young children who still have bottles throughout the morning and therefore need to be held.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder does not have a thorough understanding of equal opportunities issues although she does understand the need to help children learn about the world around them. The childminder does not have any toys or resources that show positive images of culture, disability or gender but does respond to children's questions in an honest way. When minding children from backgrounds other than her own she takes time to talk to parents and carers about their culture and customs. Because of this children's backgrounds are respected and children are helped to develop respectful attitudes to others. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs through discussion with parents and carers. There are currently no children on roll with disabilities and/or learning difficulties but there are satisfactory arrangements in place to ensure that all children are fully included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable procedures to manage children's behaviour are in place and this helps them to develop an understanding of right and wrong. Strategies to manage unwanted behaviour are appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the children. The childminder encourages them to share popular resources such as jigsaws. Good behaviour is valued and praised, helping to develop children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective arrangements in place to work in partnership with parents and carers. The childminder has trusting and friendly relationships with them and informs them about the provision and their children's day through daily discussion. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and carers and they sign to say that they have read them and received a copy.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All documentation, necessary for the safe and efficient running of the setting is in place. A range of written policies and procedures is provided and this is shared with parents and carers, helping them to make informed choices about their children's care. Daily registers are maintained and the hours of children's attendance is accurately recorded. All necessary written information relating to children is in place and this is stored securely to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

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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 The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced to enable her to childmind. She has good relationships with the children and offers them sufficient support to help them to be settled and secure. There are good arrangements in place to protect children from persons who have not undergone suitability checks. Overall, the setting 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 that the daily record of attendance was accurate and kept up to date and to ensure that written records of medicines given to children was signed by parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has revised how she records this information. Children's attendance is now logged as they arrive and as they depart to ensure that an accurate record is maintained of their hours of attendance. All medication records are now signed by parents and carers to acknowledge the entry.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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): • improve the arrangements to promote good health with regard to sleeping arrangements and help children learn about the importance of good hygiene • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • improve outcomes for children under the age of three years by implementing a framework in line with 'Birth to three matters' • improve knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and provide toys and resources to promote positive images of culture, disability and gender.

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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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