Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248224 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Tomkins 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 first registered in 1978, however after a very short break from childminding in 2003 she was re-registered the same year. She lives with her two adult children in Stoke- on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and first floor bathroom are 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 three children under five on a full- time and part- time basis, and three children over eight years part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding support group.

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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 are cared for in a welcoming, comfortable home where the childminder has developed good hygiene practices and ensures children are helped to understand why and how they wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. This means that children are not exposed to cross-contamination and are beginning understand how germs spread.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children's health is promoted. Children are provided with a varied range of activities which contribute to their continued good health, such as regular outside play in the rear garden and walks to and from school everyday. Children have regular periods of sleep in their pushchairs in accordance with their routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has good arrangements and written policies for managing illness. The childminder does not care for sick or infectious children which helps to prevent cross-infection. Procedures for managing accidents and giving medication are good, they are clearly recorded and explained to parents when children are settled into the childminder's home. The childminder has attended training in first aid and discusses and records the children's individual health and dietary details which ensures their needs are met. Written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice has been obtained. This means that children will receive appropriate treatment in the event of a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides cooked meals from fresh ingredients and snacks of fresh fruit, raisins, yoghurt and cereals. Children have their own cups of water which are freely available throughout the day. In addition, children are offered fresh fruit juice and milk. The childminder organises her routine so that children eat at regular times at the kitchen table or in highchairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Written procedures and equipment are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are helped to begin to understand how to keep safe when outside, for example, the childminder asks them to 'stop and look both ways' before crossing the road children wear reins and are securely strapped into pushchairs and highchairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities from a range of toys and equipment stored in the spacious store room adjacent to the kitchen. The childminder supervises the younger children's selection to ensure they can safely access the resources. She provides toys that are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The children play outside in the rear garden on a range of equipment stored in the shed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has fire detection and safety equipment including a carbon monoxide detector and has devised an emergency evacuation plan which she discusses and practices with all children on a regular basis. This helps to keep children safe in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder understands her duty to protect children in her care and has detailed knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and how to record existing injuries. She has a written policy and has developed her knowledge of the procedures and how to report concerns.

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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. The childminder consistently praises and congratulates the children on their achievements. The children's level of development is good because the childminder plans and organises her routines and activities to suit each child's age and stage. This allows children to progress and increase their confidence and independence in their play and learning. She encourages younger children to choose their own favourite activities. For example, role play with cups and saucers and a dust pan and brush. Older children spend shorter periods of time with the childminder but plan and initiate their own activities, such as, imaginative play being hairdressers and giving each other 'make overs'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is experienced and knowledgeable and ensures her resources suit the likes and dislikes of the children she cares for and provides a varied range to allow for choice of activity. For example, activity musical toys for infants and jigsaws and dressing-up clothes for toddlers. The childminder works closely with another childminder on an informal basis and they both take the younger children to pre-school and activity groups each morning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder discusses children's individual routines with their parents so that children have time to be active and to rest. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as they frequently play in the rear garden with the trampoline, seesaw, tents and tunnels.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children's activities and progress are shared verbally with parents when they are collected. In addition, the childminder compiles a diary for parents recording achievements and messages. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and value a degree of independence. The children are very settled and have formed close relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder and children interact together using interesting resources such as, dolls which positively represent other cultures, books and dressing-up with representative images of race, gender and minority groups. Children have frequent outside visits to the park, pre-school activity groups and to the childminder's friends and children. This helps to promote a positive view of the wider world and helps children to learn to appreciate similarities and differences in others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They enjoy individual attention and have conversations with the childminder who encourages them to freely express their views. For example, choosing favourite activities and food. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and working with fellow professionals. She is clear on how to take appropriate action to ensure support is given to children and parents to promote the welfare and development of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are positively encouraged to behave well and make themselves at home to foster good levels of self-esteem and a strong sense of belonging. There are clear boundaries and house rules which ensure children are encouraged to respond to the high levels of good behaviour displayed by the childminder. Children are expected to say 'please' and 'thank you' and help to tidy away their toys. Their good behaviour is rewarded with smiles, clapping and verbal

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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 praise. The childminder encourages older children to help and support the younger ones with resources, such as making a weather chart.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are invited to attend introductory visits prior to placing their child. The childminder provides folders with policies, procedures and photographs to inform parents on her service. She shares information verbally with parents each day when they collect their children. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive. Children make cards, Christmas presents and decorations to take home to help parents be involved in their learning and development. The childminder ensures parents are provided with information on how to contact Ofsted in the event of a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has good knowledge of required records and ensures that most are accurately maintained, stored confidentially and available for parents and inspection. However, the children's daily attendance record is not completed as children arrive and does not show their actual times of arrival and departure. This has the potential for compromising the children's safety in an emergency evacuation.

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Organisation

The childminder enthusiastically attends training to update and increase her knowledge. She has successfully completed an evaluative exercise, Quality First, which enables her to monitor and improve the quality of her care and contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Good practice, written policies and procedures ensure that children are secure and relaxed in the childminder's home. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own learning and play. The childminder promotes the welfare, care and learning of minded children with a varied range of activities and routines. The childminder employs her wide experience to provide opportunities to develop children's skills and independence. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was required to obtain a copy of the Government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused – Summary' and further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. In addition, the childminder was asked to: make available to parents details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, including the fact that they can contact Ofsted if not satisfied with the outcome; and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained a copy of the Government booklet, complied a written procedure and maintains clear records of any concerns. She displays the Ofsted contact number for parents to contact in the event of a complaint and maintains forms to record any complaints. Parents have supplied written permissions for a variety of reasons, such as outings and emergency medical treatment.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 the daily attendance register records the actual times of arrival and departure of children and is up to date.

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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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