Bickley, Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 251909 Inspection date 22 August 2005 Inspector Permjit Tanda

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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 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and ten year old daughter. They live in Finchfield in the area of Wolverhampton. There are local shops, a park, a library and pre-school group within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children on a part-time basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy an adequate range of activities, which contribute to their good health. The children have regular opportunities to practise their skills of control and co-ordination through a satisfactory range of outdoor equipment. Children enjoy kicking, throwing and catching balls and develop their skills of balance through the use of a trampoline. Children have regular opportunities to use the large equipment at the local park to increase their skills of climbing which offers more challenge to help increase their confidence. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care and the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. The children’s welfare is satisfactorily promoted. The childminder has sound knowledge of first aid for infants and young children, although her certificate needs to be updated. Children help themselves to drinking water and squash throughout the day. The

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Helping children to be healthy

parents provide the children’s packed lunches daily which the childminder stores appropriately. She takes account of the parents' wishes and the children’s choices and is aware of the children’s special dietary requirements. The childminder provides the children with a mid-morning and afternoon snack which mainly consists of biscuits and crisps they, have fewer opportunities for healthy options such as fresh fruit. Children are able to have quiet time for sleep or relaxing throughout the day. They benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines which ensure that their individual needs are met appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move safely, freely and independently because the childminder identifies and minimises risks in the environment. Children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, children know they cannot run indoors because the laminate floor is slippery. The children’s safety outside the home is continued through children beginning to understand about the need to stay safe when crossing the road. Children independently select activities from a satisfactory range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The children are safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 Children settle well at the childminder's house. Children are independent as they choose between a variety of toys. They are confident to try new activities and ideas for example, children enthusiastically took part in creating paper puppets. Children increase their creativity through the regular use of arts and crafts, crayons and the occasional use of paint. Children have many opportunities to express and communicate their own ideas through dancing to music. Children show an interest in books through sharing books with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Opportunities for children to develop exploration and investigation skills through activities such as, sand, water and dough are limited. Overall there is a satisfactory range of toys and resources covering most areas of development. Children do not always show good levels of involvement in their play and flit from one activity to another sometimes due to the lack of direction and structure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children increase their awareness of the local environment through regular walks to the local park and daily walks to and from school. Children have been involved in celebrating Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day through making cards and general discussion about customs. They have few opportunities to be involved in a meaningful range of activities to develop their understanding of diversity and other cultures Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs well she works closely with parents, in order to identify their likes, dislikes and personalities. Children understand behaviour boundaries because the childminder uses positive strategies which helps children learn to play together harmoniously. For example, children were happy to share and cooperated well, they respond easily to gentle reminders of caring for each other. Children gain good levels

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of self-esteem and confidence through constant praise from the childminder, who encourages this through rewarding their achievements and tells them when they have done something well. Children have a good relationship with the childminder. Children make themselves at home and older children independently visit the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children are encouraged to make choices and access toys freely.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the environment. There are clear business contracts and all of the required policies and procedures are in place with the exception of a written complaints procedure. Information is shared regularly with parents through verbal feedback. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the

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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 children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were made which the childminder agreed to implement. Of these, three have been fully addressed. The children’s safety has improved through the development of an emergency escape plan in case of a fire. The written record of attendance is accurate and includes the actual arrival and departure time of children. Parent’s written permission is obtained prior to the administration of medication. The fourth recommendation has not been addressed. Children have few opportunities to learn about diversity due to the lack of appropriate resources and activities promoting positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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): • develop existing provision for snacks to further promote children's healthy eating habits by offering healthy options more regularly • plan and provide a greater range of activities and play opportunities to support the children's learning. • extend the range of resources and activities that positively represent diversity in society. • develop a complaints procedure to include the name and telephone number of the regulator to ensure parent's know who to contact should they have a concern about the care children receive.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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