Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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259208 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Maxine Williams 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 15 in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time basis, one child over five before and after school and an additional two children in the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local parent and toddler group and she is a member of a local childminding group and the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They discover, use and increase their physical control in exciting daily indoor and outdoor experiences. Garden games and regular visits to local playgrounds and attractions help to progress children’s physical abilities. They develop knowledge of the way activity has an effect on their bodies and all are able to rest and be active according to their needs. The childminder has a firm knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. Her excellent understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within a secure environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in warm, clean surroundings where they learn the importance of good hygiene. They thrive because the childminder follows extremely effective policies and procedures which meet the children’s health, dietary and physical needs. The childminder explains the importance of cleanliness and assists younger children in washing their hands and brushing their teeth after meal times. This approach promotes children’s understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and encourages increasing independence in their personal care. Accident and medication procedures are in place and are fully understood. However, permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in not currently in place. The childminder is committed to ensuring that this oversight is corrected at the soonest available opportunity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and making healthy choices. They are offered a choice of drinks and snacks throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s preferences to provide healthy meals that appeal to the children and meet their nutritional needs. Children show their awareness of healthy choices by eagerly tucking into potato, tuna and sweetcorn for lunch, followed by fruit. The childminder has completed a food hygiene course and her sound knowledge of healthy eating and good nutrition guidelines contributes significantly to children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is exceptionally attentive and uses detailed risk assessments to reduce possible hazards. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. She gives high priority to promoting children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. This means that children learn about potential dangers and develop their knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. Children have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, there is a good decked area where children are able to ride bikes and other ride-on toys and a lawned area for free play, as well as a play house, which encourages role play games. The childminder provides an attractive environment

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in which children are able to develop confidence, self-esteem and a very good sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities from a wide range of high quality developmentally-appropriate resources, which meet safety standards. These are organised effectively in storage containers

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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 at an accessible height to encourage independent access. The childminder protects and supports children’s welfare and has all of the necessary policies and procedures in place. For example, the she holds a current first aid certificate and carries out and records fire drills on a regular basis. Knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures is good. The childminder has a thorough awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is confident to report concerns. She has attended training in child protection, which ensures that she fully understands her responsibilities in protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable at the childminder's house. They respond well to the childminder and interact with other children during regular visits to a local toddler group. Children develop their independence as they choose between a large assortment of toys, books and activities, which are interesting and appealing. They achieve well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her excellent knowledge of early years guidance, such as the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to provide high quality care and improve children’s experiences. The childminder organises the childminding day well, so that children have opportunities to be active and to enjoy quiet time. During story time the childminder reads a story to children, they enjoy snuggling in and looking at the pictures as the childminder reads the story, explaining why the bear needs to dress-up warm in cold weather and wear sun screen in hot weather.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children listen and respond to the childminder as she sings songs to them, such as ‘If you’re happy and you know it’. They take pleasure in joining in with the actions and singing along to the songs, which contributes to their budding communication skills. They delight in the creative experience of making music with the xylophone, drum and castanets, as the childminder gives them lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They play joyfully together and with adults using resources, such as books, music, role play and outdoor equipment, appropriate to their age and ability. The childminder has a very good awareness of the array of experiences which facilitate children to make better use of their intellectual and imaginative capabilities. For example, she encourages one-year-olds to name the animals and to count them up as they pick up the model animals. Children squeal with delight as the childminder uses her arm to make a trunk and lowers her voice to mimic the trumpet of an elephant. The youngest children make very good progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and considerate relationships provide children with a healthy dependence on the childminder, while enabling them to develop a strong sense of self. Children begin to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make sense of the world and express their ideas as they participate in an assorted range of creative and sensory experiences. For example, they enjoy regular trips out to local places of interest, such as a working farm and an observatory. They benefit from the available experiences of going on tractor rides, feeding the animals and exploring the wonders of space and communication technology.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good understanding of equal opportunities issues and uses this knowledge successfully to help children learn about the world around them. There are a good range of play materials and activities to help children develop positive attitudes towards their own and other cultures and beliefs, and to disability and gender. Children visit playgroups and

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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 enjoy outings to local places of interest, as well as celebrating different festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. The childminder's policies and procedures promote inclusion for all children. She works in partnership with parents to ensure appropriate support is provided to all of the children attending. When children need additional support the childminder seeks out information and training in order to meet their needs and provide appropriate support. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and there is a very strong emphasis on focusing on good behaviour. Children's self-confidence and sense of worth is developed well with the use of encouragement and praise during their play. Children are eager to help each other and the childminder and independently start to tidy up the toys when told it is sleep

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters excellent relationships with parents, which contributes considerably to children’s well-being in the childminding setting. She actively seeks parent’s views on their child’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis during their time there. Daily diaries and the recording of children’s progress and achievements ensure that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing and that children are able to make consistent improvement in all areas of their development. Letters and cards from parents all indicate that they are very happy with the care that their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are comfortable and feel secure in the well-ordered surroundings. Indoor and outdoor space is organised well to provide extensive play opportunities for children. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder successfully uses the comprehensive policies and procedures to support the well-being, care and learning of children. She frequently shares information with parents to keep them up to date about her services and their child's development. This promotes stability and continuity in the children’s care. The childminder is a member of a local childminding group; she also assists in running the local carer and toddler group.

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Organisation

The childminder is very clear about her role and responsibility in providing a high quality service to the children and their family. She has a high regard for developments in early years and successfully follows an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder has, and continues to undertake appropriate training to enhance her practice and knowledge, enabling her to provide high quality childcare. She has completed the ‘Certificate in Childminding Practice’ as well as a variety of local short courses. All legally required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed. 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 care inspection it was agreed that the provider should improve her awareness of child protection and the revised National Standards and Guidance for Childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has since undertaken training in child protection, as well as completing a variety of courses in childcare, including the ‘Certificate in Childminding Practice’. Paperwork, in the form of policies and procedures is in very good order and her knowledge of both child protection and the National Standards is exceptionally thorough. As a result, children benefit

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 from the good all-round care and the clear dedication of the childminder to continuously improving her practice.

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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 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): • obtain written consent from parents for permission to seek emergency treatment or advice.

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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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