Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272531 Unique Reference Number 11 October 2007 Inspection date Susan Rogers 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged five and seven years in Walsall. There are shops, schools and local amenities nearby. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one cat.

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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 two children on a part-time basis. She takes children to and from local primary schools. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She attends the local parent and toddler group and is supported by the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning how to protect themselves from illness and infection through the regular routines that are promoted. For example, children wash their hands prior to eating their meals

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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 and snacks and after using the toilet. The effective routines in the home protect children's welfare as all areas of the home are kept clean and comprehensive explanations are offered.

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Helping children to be healthy

The documentation protects children's well-being. For example, there is a sick child policy where parents are encouraged to care for their child at home if they are ill, all medication administered is done so with parents prior written consent and all accidents are recorded. However, the childminder has not updated her first aid certificate which compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good opportunities for children to enjoy exercise whilst they walk to and from school, enjoy energetic play in the rear garden and visit local parks. Frequent visits to local playgroups and activity centres ensures that they enjoy challenging physical exercise that further extends their skills. They have frequent opportunities to develop their smaller muscle skills by threading buttons on to laces, using shape sorters and sticking with glue. They enjoy food that meets with their different dietary requirements. For example, parents bring a packed lunch from home and the childminder supplements this through healthy snacks of wholemeal toast, yoghurt and fresh fruit. They are well-hydrated as they have sufficient to drink. Children's social skills are promoted as they eat their meals at the kitchen table or in a high chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children sleep in safety and comfort as the childminder ensures that this is well monitored at all times and their sleep requirements are discussed closely with their parents. Most of the risk assessments are effective in keeping children safe whilst they play. For example, all low-level glass is of British Standard, household gas appliances are regularly serviced and children cannot access the stairs and kitchen as stair gates are installed. However, the multi swing in the rear garden is not securely fixed which may compromise children's welfare. Children are learning about their own safety as the childminder offers explanations so they are encouraged to play and explore safely. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual abilities and, therefore, adjust her levels of supervision to correspond with their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning about the dangers of fire through the regular evacuation practises. Their safety is further protected as they are offered comprehensive explanations, fire evacuation practices are recorded and appropriate fire prevention equipment is installed. They are well protected if there are concerns about their care as the childminder has completed child protection training, has a child protection policy and advises parents of her responsibilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premise are welcoming as there is a wide variety of books and play equipment displayed and readily accessible for children's use. The space available is well used which ensures that they can engage in a variety of different activities. For example, there are specific areas for children to eat their meals, enjoy play activities and sleep in safety and comfort. Children's development is actively encouraged as they enjoy a variety of interesting activities whilst using the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide variety of equipment and toys that are well suited to children's age and ability. For example, there are shape sorters, craft equipment, jigsaws, play people and a variety of outdoor equipment that includes sandpits, a water tray and playhouse. The childminder is skilled in supporting children's play and selecting appropriate pieces of equipment that develop their individual needs.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children engage in a splendid range of interesting activities that are well-planned and resourced. For example, children are currently learning about garden birds through a wide range of different activities that include listening to birdsong, drawing pictures, looking at informative books and feeding the birds in the garden. Children's language skills are all well promoted through general conversation and the frequent questions asked of them by the childminder. This stimulates their vocabulary and encourages them to think about past events. They are actively encouraged to read for pleasure through the wide range of books attractively displayed throughout the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, uses this to assess children's progress and as a basis to plan future activities. A good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities promotes children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular outings to local activity centres, playgroups, libraries and local venues encourages children's social skills and helps them understand the natural world. They are learning to use number for a practical purpose. For example, they frequently use their counting skills to identify groups of numbers. Children's sense of security is promoted as they frequently go to the childminder for cuddles and hugs. The childminder plays relaxing music for children prior to their sleep which ensures they are well rested.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have very good opportunity to learn about the wider world as there is a good range of toys and activities that give positive representation of different cultures, disability and traditions. These include, play people, jigsaws, books and dressing up resources. Their learning is further promoted as the childminder offers children explanations in respect of different festivals and encourages children's appreciation of the needs of others. Children who have a learning difficulty and/or disability have good care as the childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and has experience of caring for children with disabilities. Their welfare is further protected as she successfully liaises with carers and outside agencies to provide detailed support for children's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The excellent partnership with parents protects children's welfare. The childminder communicates well with parents and ensures children's continuity of care is well protected when they commence their placement by collecting detailed information in respect of their individual care needs. Parents are well informed of their children's progress through discussions when they collect their child and through daily diaries and assessments which promote their welfare. Parents are encouraged to spend time with their child in the setting which encourages them to continue with their children's activities once they return home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to take responsibility in the setting by tidying toys and respecting the equipment. They are learning to develop relationships with each other through frequent visits to playgroups and activity centres. Children behave very well as they are consistently engaged in a range of meaningful activities that they enjoy. The childminder has a very positive demeanour which promotes children's confidence and self-esteem.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well protected as all adults present in the household as suitably vetted. Their development is protected as the childminder develops her own practice by attending frequent training opportunities which helps her meet children's individual needs. Children's needs are given high consideration as the childminder regularly reviews her practice and updates children's activities. However, the childminder has not updated her first aid certificate which compromises children's welfare.

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Organisation

Children's development is promoted as there are frequent opportunities for outings where they are encouraged to observe the outside world during the school collection service. This promotes their observational skills as they are encouraged to notice and discuss things that they see. The robust documentation safeguards children, for example, there are specific policies that refer to the service provided that include, equal opportunities, behaviour and partnership with parents policy. Children's contracts and the policies are regularly updated which promotes their well-being. Children's individual needs are well protected because the documentation is specific to their needs. Their activities are well documented through the daily diaries which record their achievements and progress and are regularly shared with parents.

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Organisation

Children's needs are given high consideration as the childminder ensures that there are always well-organised areas in her home which produces well-managed space for children's play and exploration. Overall, 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 was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Children are now well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, has attended relevant training and has all the relevant contact numbers.

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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):

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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 • complete a paediatric first aid course • promote children's safety by reviewing the risk assessment to take into account the large play equipment in the rear garden.

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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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