Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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224525 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Valerie Thomas 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 1997 and works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Stoke on Trent close to local shops and schools. All areas except for one bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 and is currently minding four children under five years and two over five years. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Stoke-on-Trent Childminding Alliance.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Hygiene is promoted well in the setting. Children wash their hands after using the toilet and have their own individual towels to ensure good hygiene. Nappy changing routines are effective

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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 in preventing cross-contamination. The childminder uses a protective covering for her knee and washes her hands immediately after changing a nappy. There is a clear policy in place for excluding sick and infectious children which helps to limit the spread of infection. This helps children to remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Procedures for recording accidents meet all requirements and the childminder has a current first aid certificate. Written consent is obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to administer medication. Records are kept of any medication given including the dose administered and the time given. However, not all records are dated. This does not fully promote children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and nutritional diet. Snacks include rice cakes, breadsticks and fruit while lunches are mainly a cooked meal with vegetables. Children learn what foods help them to grow healthily and what snacks are bad for their teeth. The childminder involves parents through making a healthy eating folder available for them to view. This helps children to develop a positive attitude to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical development and opportunities to be outside in the fresh air are good. Children walk daily to and from school, visit local parks and play outside in the garden on the wide range of equipment. When the weather is bad children are taken to local activity centres to enable them to practise their skills and regular visits to playgroup ensure they have good opportunities to use large equipment. Inside, children have lots of fun as they take part in action songs, moving their arms to 'Wind the bobbin' and clapping their hands. This encourages children to develop their physical skills and a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is well maintained and there is good space for children to move around freely when playing with toys. There is a vast range of good quality toys available and a selection is set out each day by the childminder for the children to choose from. As they play they are able to find the pens and pencil crayons to colour with from the drawer, giving them the opportunity to make decisions about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally, there are effective processes in place to keep children safe most of the time. All areas are secure as the front door has additional bolts fitted and the gates on the outside play area have a padlock fitted when children are playing outside. A safety gate prevents children from entering the kitchen and socket covers are in place. However, the fire hearth is not protected and potentially presents a hazard to children if they trip and fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High importance is given to help children learn about keeping themselves safe. Children learn that they should not climb on the back of the furniture as they may fall over and that they need to be careful when cutting with scissors. Fire drills are practised regularly and clear procedures for road safety when walking to school help children to stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has a detailed policy giving clear guidance which is shown to parents. She has a clear understanding of signs and symptoms that may alert to child abuse and training attended ensures the childminder is fully aware of all procedures to follow. This helps to ensure children are protected.

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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 good. Children experience a wide range of activities and topics are planned for each month. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is used to ensure children are progressing through the different stages with brief notes made on their achievements. Photographs show that many trips are undertaken to various places of interest. At the Eureka Museum children learn how a skeleton works and smell different sensory boxes and at a nearby farm they sit on tractors and look at the animals. They also show that children learn how to match colours, finding objects to put on the blue and red chairs and have lots of fun as they play outside on the bikes and cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate well as they sit and colour on the paper plates and cut out shapes in the paper. The childminder extends their understanding of early mathematical skills well as she encourages them to count how many eyes and teeth are drawn. Children's language is developing very well through consistent encouragement from the childminder as they sing 'Hello' to the younger ones and joining in with songs such as 'The wheels on the bus'. Young babies respond with smiles and vocalising to the tunes of the songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Individual needs are met well and there is good support for children. Children enjoy sitting together on the childminder's knee to listen and move to the music and cuddles are often given to young babies. Independence is encouraged as children stand on the step to wash their hands and they are able to develop their own play situations as they make a bus using the chairs. Consequently, children are happy in the calm and harmonious environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There is a good range of resources to promote positive images of different cultures, gender and disability. These include small world figures and equipment, jigsaws and dolls. Children learn about different festivals and countries when they go to the playgroup which is organised by the childminder. Discussions with the children help them to appreciate differences in each other and photographs show how they learn to use crutches to walk on different surfaces. This helps to raise their awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder has a good understanding of how activities can be adapted to ensure inclusion. She fully understands the need to work in partnership with parents and other professionals to help children progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective procedures are in place to manage children's behaviour. There is a clear written policy which is shared with parents and rules such as no biting, swearing or spitting help to ensure children are aware of what is expected. Distraction is the main method used and children respond positively to the boundaries set. They take the small pieces of paper away from the younger ones when asked and receive praise when they do this. Good manners are encouraged and children say 'thank you' when reminded. Praise is given regularly which helps to build children's self-esteem well. Consequently, their social skills are developing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships with parents are promoted well. A welcome pack is given to parents to take home and read which includes all relevant policies. These are signed by parents to confirm that they agree and understand them. A written complaints policy is in place and displayed in the main entrance and forms part of the welcome pack. Individual needs of children are noted and short visits are encouraged initially to help new ones settle. Daily discussion ensures parents

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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 are fully informed of their child's well-being. This enables parents and the childminder to work together to meet the needs of the child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed all required training and attends an extensive range of additional training. For example, this includes 'Diversity', 'Playtrain', 'Nutrition Matters' and 'Stages of Grief'. This helps to broaden children's experiences and increases the childminder's knowledge of childcare issues enabling good support to be given to children. Knowledge of the national standards is very good with folders in place containing relevant documents and policies for each standard. This ensures the effective operation of the setting and ensures parents are fully informed. Records of children's details and attendance are kept and meet all requirements.

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Organisation

Children are confident and happy in the care of the childminder. Space available and organisation of resources means that children can play comfortably. The positive interaction and comfort given to children such as when they are tired or thirsty, ensures individual needs are met well. The wide range of activities and equipment available ensures children have a fun time and that their learning is extended. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of the new national guidance booklet for child protection and the correct procedures to follow for reporting concerns. She has all relevant guidance and shows a good understanding of child protection issues including appropriate reporting procedures. This helps to safeguard children.

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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): • take reasonable steps to minimise the hazard of the fire hearth • ensure all medication records are dated.

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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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