Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY278616 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2007 Inspection date Josephine Mary Hammick 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 2004. She lives with her partner and granddaughter aged eight years. They live in a house in Brierley Hill, within walking distance of local parks and shops. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding together with one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children, and uses her car for trips and outings further afield.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has five on roll who attend on a full-time and part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a fish pond in the garden. The family have a parrot and guinea pigs in a secure hutch in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm and welcoming home. They learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the daily routine and have a developing understanding of why they must wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet or playing outside. Domestic hygiene routines are vigilant. The home is cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis and cloths are disposed of at the end of the day. Documentation is well maintained regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents. A well stocked first aid box is available to ensure children's well-being is safeguarded in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They make good use of the enclosed garden and have a range of resources to help them improve and develop new physical skills, for example, having fun on the slide. They benefit from regular walks and visits to the play park where they further extend their physical skills by playing on large equipment suitable for their age and stage of development. The children enjoy being in the fresh air and being able to stretch, run and let off steam.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder providing nutritious and healthy food and drink. Meals provided are low in sugar, salt and fat. They are freshly prepared using fresh fruit, vegetables, pasta or rice, and are inviting to eat. The childminder provides breakfast in the morning, a light lunch mid-day and a cooked meal in the evening if the parents request it. Children can access drinks freely at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and friendly environment. The home is secure and provides the children with sufficient space to play, rest and eat. Children are generally safe within their environment because potential risks have been identified and appropriate safety measures put in place, including stair gates and socket covers. The secure, patio area of the garden is safe and suitable for children to use. However, steps from one area of the garden to another are very deep and pose a possible risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to a developing and suitable range of toys and equipment. They are interested in and stimulated by what is available to them. The toys and resources are in good condition and they are kept clean and hygienic for the children to use. The range provided includes positive images of race, culture and disability, for example, the children enjoy playing with dressing-up clothes, dolls, books and musical instruments that promote inclusion. The children are learning to keep themselves safe through everyday activities and gentle reminders from the childminder, for example, not to run or push inside the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. Parents are made aware of these procedures so that they know the action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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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 outstanding. The children are provided with a wide range of exciting activities and resources that are age appropriate and stimulate all areas of development. They have fun and are challenged by the activities available to them. The children are happy, settled and comfortable in their environment and confidently seek the support of the childminder for comfort and cuddles. They benefit from the childminder's loving and caring approach to their care and her interaction and involvement in activities. For example, during quiet times, the children settle down on the childminder's knee and enjoy looking at books. They join in with familiar words, lift the flaps, make sounds, laugh and turn the pages with enthusiasm. The childminder asks questions, uses her tone of voice to raise curiosity whilst turning the page, and praises the children in order to promote learning and raise self-esteem. Young children seek out the musical instruments to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play with. They like making different rhythms and bounce up and down to the beat in time with the music. They then dance freely and chuckle with delight. The childminder claps and encourages them with a beaming smile and laughter. Whilst babies are resting, older children are very keen to feed the Koi Carp in the garden pond. They know where the food is stored. The childminder encourages them to measure out the right amount into a dish, kneels down with them by the side of the pond and helps the children distribute the right amount of food for each fish. The children are fascinated by the bright colours and reaction of the fish to the food. The childminder encourages them to count the fish and to talk about which one is big and which one is smaller.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well supported in their play which allows them to take part in games and activities at their own level of development. Their physical and emotional needs are recognised and responded to immediately; for example, the childminder knows their routines well, notices when they are getting tired, organises activities around their needs and settles them down to rest when they are tired and becoming irritable. As a result children develop close relationships and a sense of trust.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The children's needs are well met because the childminder has a clear understanding of the care that they require. The childminder seeks additional advice and support in order to meet the requirements of children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Children's access to opportunities to gain a positive view of diversity, and to increase their understanding of other cultures, is good. The childminder is active in seeking out resources and activities to promote inclusive play and knowledge of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved and play well together. A sensitive and consistent approach to behaviour management ensures children know what is expected of them, whilst praise and constant support give them confidence to try new things and help to develop self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The parents and the childminder have formed good working relationships. Daily exchanges of information, verbally and by diaries, ensure that parents are kept well informed about their child's progress, routine and the service provided. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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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 good. The children benefit from being cared for in a well-organised environment. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development gained through accessing courses and gaining qualifications to keep up to date and broaden her knowledge. This is reflected in her practice which all children benefit from. Children are able to move freely and choose toys and activities from the wide range available to them. The children have good access to their playthings which are stored attractively for easy access. The home is well equipped and child-friendly, while the daily routine is flexible to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Organisation

All the required documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and well-being is in place and very well organised. Records are well maintained, effectively organised and carefully stored.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure that older children are aware of emergency evacuation procedures; increase the range of resources to reflect positive images of culture and disability; and to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Since then the childminder has ensured that all children practise emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis; that they have access to resources reflecting positive images of culture and disability, for example, dressing up and role play, books, puzzles and music. Written permission has been sought and obtained from parents consenting to emergency advice or treatment. Consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded at all times.

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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 to take actions 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): • carry out a risk assessment on the steps in the garden to ensure safety of children.

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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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