Childminder in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 252014 Inspection date 21 July 2005 Inspector Jasvinder Kaur

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1989. She lives with her husband and two children one an adult and the other 13 years old. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part time and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog.

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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 The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding Association. She receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children stay healthy because the childminder takes positive steps to promote good hygiene through well organised activities and a healthy lifestyle. They are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illness. The childminder holds a first aid certificate which is regularly updated. Accident and medication records are well maintained and shared with parents who countersign all entries. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which cater for individual needs. A selection of drinks including fresh drinking water is always available. The children enjoy a relaxed and social atmosphere at mealtimes. The childminder is well aware of children's dietary requirements and preferences through consultation with parents. She has attended food hygiene training to ensure that food is properly prepared.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities on a regular basis. They develop their physical skills as they play with a wide range of outdoor equipment in the garden. They enjoy walking to the library, school and playing at the local park. They also enjoy arranged trips to the farms, theme parks, picnics and swimming. There are suitable arrangements for rest and sleep according to children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children feel secure and safe as the childminder provides a welcoming and safe environment. They are encouraged to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe both indoors and on outings. The good organisation of toys and equipment enables children to move around safely in the house and garden. It is ensured that they are supervised at all times. They develop a good awareness of safety measures through emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis. However, the electric socket in the lounge is not made inaccessible to children. Children benefit from good use of the space available in the house and in the garden. They have easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment which enables them to develop their learning skills. The resources are well organised to provide free choice to encourage children's independence. The children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of her role in child protection. She has attended the relevant training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. However, she

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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 has a limited knowledge of keeping a record of existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children make good progress through well planned activities and play opportunities. They are involved in a wide range of first hand learning experiences including cooking, painting and drawing, visiting the library and play with other children at the childminder’s network meetings. This helps them to develop their language, mathematical thinking, imagination and social relationships. They use a variety of computer software to develop their intellectual skills. The children are confident in the setting and have a good relationship with the childminder. They interact with her continually and develop their communication skills. For instance while baking cakes they say how many cakes they have baked and describe how they mix the ingredients. They are independent and confident, as the childminder responds to their particular interests including role play, dressing up and regular outdoor play in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a sense of belonging. They learn social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults and other children. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world through appropriate activities and resources such as books, educational toys and computer games, dressing up and cooking activities. They are involved in decision making when selecting activities and snacks. The children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationship with parents which mean that children’s needs are met. The children are happy, well mannered and confident, because the childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. They are encouraged to share with and respect others through her positive role model and example. Children behave well, take turns and respond positively to the childminder’s routines and boundaries. This helps them develop a positive attitude and show concern for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management is discussed with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised. She regularly attends short courses to update her knowledge of childcare issues. She has suitable arrangements to protect children and has taken relevant vetting procedures. The children feel at home and at ease with a well organised and family oriented environment. They benefit from welcoming premises where they feel secure and their individual needs are taken into account.

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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 Most of the childminder’s documents are clear, well maintained and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality. They are readily available for inspection and shared with parents. Additional documentation is made available to parents relating to the childminder's qualifications and training, and information about the service provided. However, the attendance record does not show accurate times of arrival and departure of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to keep sharp objects out of reach of children and to record accurate times of arrival and departure of children. She has improved safety by keeping sharp objects out of reach of children. This means children are protected. However, she is not recording accurate times of children's attendance. This has been restated in the report.

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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 electric sockets, in areas accessible to children, are fitted with socket covers • ensure that all documentation is complete including the daily attendance record to include accurate times of arrival and departure of children, and the record of existing injuries to children and share with parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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