Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347723 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Lesley Jane Bott 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 has been registered since January 2007. She lives with her husband and four children aged seven, five, three and two years. They live in Wolverhampton. There are local shops, a school and a park within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the property and bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for two children at any one time, and is currently looking after one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She also attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Satisfactory procedures are in place to promote children's awareness of health issues and encourage them to have regard for personal hygiene. For example, the childminder uses wipes to clean the baby's hands after eating her fruit snack in the morning. Children bring 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 changing mat, and this is wiped down after use, and nappies disposed of appropriately. Children are protected well from infection as the childminder has effective arrangements for sick children to ensure that the best interests of all children are met. All paperwork is in place for accidents and medication to ensure that children's health and safety is promoted well. However, written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is not in place, and consequently could impact on the children's care in the case of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents bring their child's food and milk powder to the childminder. She makes up bottles as and when required and warms the food for the younger children. Discussion takes place with parents on introducing new foods, such as bananas and dry biscuits to their diet. Special dietary needs can be met in discussion with parents and carers. Drinks are kept readily available in children's individual cups and bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being outdoors as they are taken in the pushchair for walks back and forth to the school and nursery, the childminder uses a double buggy if necessary. She also promotes physical play indoors and helps children to develop their movement through music and moving toys out of their reach to encourage them to crawl. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure environment. Space is organised well to allow for a variety of play experiences and children move freely and confidently within the large lounge. Toys and equipment are stored well in low level boxes to enable children to access them independently. Toys are clean, suitable for their purpose and are age-appropriate. Most areas are safe and secure which helps protect children from harm and allows them to play safely. However, children can access garden equipment outside, and therefore children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures are in place to ensure that children can play in a safe environment both indoors and outdoors. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to limit hazards to children, for example, by using fire guards and stair gates. Written emergency evacuation procedures are in place, and practised with the childminder. Working smoke alarms are in use on each floor of the premises and the fire blanket is readily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good arrangements in place for the arrival and collection of children to ensure that they are kept safe. Children are further protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is confident to put necessary procedures into place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good variety of activities that promote all areas of development. The childminder plans a range of play experiences to meet the child's individual needs well. Children are given choice. A selection of toys are easily accessible to allow them to make decisions about their play and learn to develop independence. Regular outings into the local environment, such as trips to the local toddler group and linking with other childminders, help children to learn about their immediate environment, and develop social skills.

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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 baby enjoys sitting in the high chair at the table to decorate her biscuit and is helped by the childminder with the 'writing icing'. Eventually she eats the biscuit to complete the experience. Younger children enjoy spaghetti and gloop play outside or at the table to experience different textures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are met well and their welfare is promoted through the childminder providing appropriate support when needed. The children in turn approach the childminder with confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes positive images effectively through the provision of a varied range of toys and resources such as dolls, jigsaws, puzzles and dressing-up clothes. Children are not disadvantaged and are able to play with all age-appropriate toys within the setting. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills through regular outings to other childminders, the local library and toddler groups. The childminder has no experience of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities, however, she has appropriate arrangements in place to enable her to do so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good awareness of behaviour management to help children learn right from wrong and play harmoniously together. Written procedures are in place to enforce this. The childminder acts as a positive role model and promotes children's self-esteem well through verbal praise and encouragement. For example, praising acts of kindness such as sharing toys. Photos of the children enjoying different activities and a written daily diary ensure that parents and carers are kept fully informed about the provision and their children's day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the need to work in partnership with parents and carers in order to ensure that children's needs are met. She finds out about the individual routines of babies and includes their routines into her childminding day to enable her to offer continuity of care to all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets all relevant training requirements, and has attended a local authority approved training course for childminding and has a valid first aid certificate. She is enthusiastic about her professional development and completed child protection, 'Birth to three matters' framework and food safety courses within the last six months which contribute to the quality of care provided.

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Organisation

Space is organised well to offer children a variety of experiences and where they can be active as well as providing quiet areas for rest and sleep. All necessary documentation for the safety of the children is in place. The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures that are shared with parents and carers enabling them to make informed choices about their children's care. Written information about children is stored securely to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 that all areas in the garden are free from hazards • ensure that emergency medical treatment forms are signed by parents.

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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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