Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

224498 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2007 Inspection date Valerie Thomas Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 was registered in 1985. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Stoke-on-Trent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under eight years and four over eight years all on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the clear routines and procedures implemented by the childminder to promote health and hygiene. Children know that they need to wash their hands as they have dirt on them after using the toilet and stroking the hamster. They have their own individual towels which are labelled to ensure good hygiene. There is a clear policy in place for excluding

p.2

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 sick and infectious children and they are reminded to cover their mouths when they cough. This helps to limit the spread of infection and helps children to remain healthy.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and safety is promoted very well. The childminder has a good understanding of the correct procedures to follow when handling accidents and medication and has a current first aid certificate. All required written consent is obtained which helps to ensures children's medical needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure children receive a healthy and nutritional diet. Children are encouraged to eat fruit for their snacks and have an occasional treat if they do so. The childminder offers guidance to parents on healthy items to include in the children's lunch boxes showing them information received as part of the 'Healthy eating' training attended. This encourages children to develop a positive attitude to healthy eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted effectively through the regular and varied activities provided. Children are able to play outside in the fresh air often as the childminder operates an indoor/outdoor play policy when the weather is suitable. Children have lots of fun as they bounce around on the hoppers and play on the slide. They enjoy moving freely from playing with puzzles inside to playing in the home corner outside. This encourages children to develop their physical skills and a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There is good space within the home for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment. Areas are maintained very well and provide a welcoming environment for children. There is a wide range of good quality toys which are set out invitingly for the children to choose from. Children are also able to make decisions about their play from the equipment stored in boxes in the lounge and the shed outside. Children confidently choose to play with dressing-up clothes pretending to be the police and a nurse.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good processes in place to keep children safe. Risk assessments are completed regularly and a record is kept. All areas are safe and secure. For example, cleaning materials are stored safely and the slide is positioned on a layer of bark to ensure children's safety outside. Children learn about safety in the home through clear boundaries set by the childminder. Children are reminded to sit on their bottoms when sitting on their chair as they may fall and they know that they should not play with matches as they will burn themselves. Children clearly understand what to do in the event of a fire and are keen to practise a fire drill. They stop when they hear the whistle and quickly go outside to stand in a safe place to wait for their name to be called. This enables children to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures for reporting any concerns. The training attended by the childminder ensures she has a clear understanding of signs and symptoms that may alert to child abuse. This helps to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to experience a wide range of activities which helps to maintain their interest well. Children are engrossed as they pretend to be a doctor and mend the

p.3

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 childminder's ears. They continue to develop their imaginative play as they dress-up in outfits such as a pirate and make slices of toast in the home corner outside. Children's language skills are constantly developed through lots of conversation and questioning. They concentrate well as they play the guessing game trying to think what the picture is on the band on their head. They ask questions such as 'Can you eat it?' and 'Does it fly?' and are delighted when they guess it is a fly. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of letters as they play with the jigsaws and confidently point to the 'a' saying 'apple'. They develop this further as they play a game of picture cards matching the cards which are the same. Relationships with each other are good and children have lots of fun as they put the items on the horse calling

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Positive and caring interaction takes place at all times and the childminder constantly provides different activities in response to children's interests. Children's independence is developing well through encouragement from the childminder. They are encouraged to go to the toilet by themselves and wash and dry their own hands. As a result, children are becoming self-sufficient. They are happy and enjoy their time in the setting.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good procedures are used to manage children's behaviour. Children respond positively to the clear boundaries set. They sit and share the book together with the childminder and wait until the cards are set out ready for their turn. Effective use of praise and encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem well. Consequently, children's social skills are developing.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good range of resources to promote positive images of different cultures and gender. There are books, dressing-up clothes and puzzles available. Children learn about people from different countries as they play with the felt pictures and listen to a story about homes around the world. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. Discussion is used by the childminder to raise children's awareness of disability although there are limited resources to extend their knowledge further. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties or disabilities the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how best to support them. She fully understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to help children progress.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationships with parents are promoted well. A welcome pack is given to parents which includes all relevant policies. These are signed by parents to ensure they are aware of how the setting operates. A complaints policy is available and details of the regulator are displayed. Children's individual needs are fully discussed and recorded and daily discussion ensures parents are fully informed of their child's well-being. This enables parents and the childminder to work together to meet the needs of the child.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets all training requirements. She has attended a varied range of additional training such as 'Risk assessment', 'Child protection', 'Road safety' and 'Active pack' training. This broadens children's experiences and increases the childminder's knowledge of childcare issues, contributing to the good quality care provided.

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 The childminder's knowledge of the national standards is good and ensures children's welfare is promoted effectively. There is a detailed operational plan which includes all of the policies and procedures implemented and this helps to ensure parents are fully informed. Documentation of children's details and attendance meet all requirements.

p.4

Organisation

Children are relaxed and at home in the well-organised environment. They are able to move around freely and develop their independence. They are very confident to make choices from the easily accessible toys and manage their self-care well as they hold onto the rail as they come down the stairs. The constant range of activities provided ensures children are always interested and develop their learning through play with good support from the childminder. Overall children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: devise a system to record existing injuries; provide smoke alarms at every level of the house; obtain written parental consent for outings and increase resources to promote images of culture and disability.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has devised a system to record existing injuries and records show that they are recorded accurately and shared with parents. Smoke alarms are now fitted to both levels of the house which enables the early detection of a fire. The childminder obtains written consent for outings from all parents as part of the initial visit. Consequently, this helps to safeguard children's welfare.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Resources to promote positive images of culture are increased and children now sit and talk about the pictures of the people from Mexico and Scotland looking at the different clothes that they wear. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. Although the childminder uses discussion and drawings to develop children's understanding of disability there are no additional resources. This has the potential to limit children's awareness of the needs of others.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

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):

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 • increase the range of resources to help children appreciate the varying needs of others.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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