Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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257246 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Elaine Margaret Hayward 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 good. 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 1998. She lives with her husband, an adult child and one child aged 10 in Halesowen. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five, and two children before and after school. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as the library, parks, open spaces, shops and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a clean and homely environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene through well-planned daily routines and by learning from example. Children know it is important to wash their hands such as after toileting and before eating, using their own

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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 individual towels to help prevent the spread of infection. A downstairs toilet, with toilet aids in place, allows children to gain independence and further understanding of self-care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection with clear exclusion periods. If children become ill in her care, she acts in their best interests by comforting them and contacting parents. There are clear procedures to ensure that both accidents and any medication needs are fully recorded and shared with parents. As a result overall, children's welfare is well promoted. However, children's health and well-being is potentially compromised as permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not currently in place for all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop good awareness of how to keep healthy through being active. They love to dance and exercise alongside the childminder, stretching and bending with enthusiasm to music from around the world. They enjoy the fresh air each day as they walk to school and frequently visit the nearby park and open spaces where they have space to run around or ride their trikes. They love to play in the garden, where, for example, they can climb or blow bubbles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's food and drink needs are well met. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure that their wishes and children's dietary needs are adhered to. Children love to decide what to eat for lunch, helping to cut up vegetables and cucumbers, talking about foods they eat. They enjoy helping the childminder find and weigh foods as they help shop. They taste foods from around the world. Children's understanding and independence is further promoted as they help themselves to drinks of water or juice from their own individual cups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, safe and child-friendly environment. They can freely choose what they want to play with from a very wide range of good quality resources, which are clean, safe and age-appropriate. High priority is given to safety so that children can move around safely, freely and independently. Risks are clearly identified, with a risk assessment in place along with daily ongoing checks. There are for example, clear routines and good visibility to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children's safety when out in the car, providing her own car seats and restraints, taking advice to ensure they fit correctly. Children's safety is well protected on outings with pre-visits by the childminder to assess any hazards or risks. There are clear written fire procedures in place, with children learning about fire safety through discussions and monthly practises. Children learn about safety as they learn how to cross the road. They know to hold hands or the buggy when walking along the pavement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being and safety is further well-protected by the childminder who has clear understanding regarding child protection. There are policies and procedures in place which are shared with parents in order to protect and promote children's welfare. She has attended training, knows the indicators of abuse and the appropriate actions to take.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy, confident and content. Good information is obtained about children's likes, dislikes and routines, and the childminder builds

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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 on this, allowing children to follow their own interests. A wide range of activities and resources are provided, and as a result, children are confident, creative and become absorbed in what they are doing. Children can be seen caring for their 'babies' as they tenderly dress, feed and change their dolls. They show intense looks of concentration as they colour their pictures and confidently name the colours they are using. They talk with animation as they tell of becoming 'Top spotters' when they have searched for twigs and leaves, matching and identifying them before creating leaf pictures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and children form close relationships with each other, and children benefit from a good mix of activity and rest. The childminder listens to the children. She naturally extends children's development and learning, promoting their self-esteem. Young children benefit from the childminder's ongoing attention as she gets down on the floor to complete a puzzle and as they sit and chat or look at a book together. Children obviously feel very much at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and are respected as individuals. There are plenty of opportunities for children to be valued, cuddled, comforted and their individual needs and personalities recognised and affirmed. Children learn about their community and the wider world such as when they pick up and talk about the post when it is delivered, as well as on visits around the area. They have many opportunities to learn about disabilities, diversity and different cultures as they talk about and play with a wide range of inviting resources such as books, dolls, puzzles and dressing up clothes, as they listen and dance to music and try foods from around the world, and as they celebrate festivals. The childminder has sensitive understanding that some children may have disabilities or additional needs. She promotes children's understanding. They love to demonstrate they can say 'please' and 'thank you' in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as they understand the clear written guidelines which are agreed with parents. Children's self-esteem is clearly promoted by the childminder. Children feel good about themselves, responding to the childminder's ongoing praise, support and encouragement. Children play cooperatively and support each other. They help each other change into their dressing up clothes and happily complete a puzzle together. They are kind, polite, considerate and helpful.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A close, informal relationship with parents contributes to children's well-being and helps parents understand how their children are cared for. The childminder obtains full information about children before they start and has clear settling-in periods. Parents receive good information about the childminder's aims and practice through clear written policies and procedures. They are kept informed of what their children have been doing through daily discussions and individual diaries. Parents are encouraged to share information. The good partnership and exchanges of information ensure continuity between home and setting, enabling children to settle well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that the needs and welfare of the children in her care is her first priority by the effective way she organises her home, time and daily routine. As a result, children feel totally at home and at ease within the child-friendly environment.

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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 demonstrates good awareness of requirements and responsibilities. She maintains and reviews very clear written documentation, which is well organised and securely stored to ensure confidentiality as appropriate. All policies and procedures are clearly shared with parents and support the good quality of childminding offered. Children further benefit from the childminder's commitment to keep updated with current good practice such as by attending training in order to enhance the care, development and welfare of the children who attend. The provision 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 agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures. She has clearly developed her knowledge and understanding to improve children's safety and well-being. She has attended training and ensured there is clear written policy which is shared with parents.

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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 good. 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): • ensure written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is in place for all children.

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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

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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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