Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306360 Inspection date 07 November 2005 Inspector Ann Doreen Burford

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, five and four in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as the toilet and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder's husband is also a registered childminder. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. They attends the local soft play area. They have a pet 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 and two rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is protected through daily hygiene routines and learning from example. They learn to manage their own personal care as they wash their hands before food, and after toileting and messy activities. Children’s rest and sleep times are organised to meet their individual needs and minor accidents are accurately recorded and the records shared with parents. The childminder has completed a relevant first aid course. The family has a pet dog and the childminder ensures high levels of hygiene are maintained at all times. The dog's inoculations are up to date. Children are well nourished. Parents provide packed lunches, which are stored safely to prevent cross contamination. The childminder shows good awareness of healthy eating and is striving to improve her own knowledge and understanding of this issue. She uses this information to improve children's understanding of developing a

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Helping children to be healthy

healthier life style. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Children frequently have opportunities for active exercise and fresh air. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children's physical skills. Children also go for many walks, for example to collect older children from school and to the local shop.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a family atmosphere where they move freely and safely around the home and can sit comfortably to play. They enjoy a suitable variety of toys and resources. Some are set out by the childminder and she fetches more toys to provide stimulation and keep children well occupied. The toys are checked daily to ensure they are safe and suitable for use. Children are kept safe at all times due to close supervision and the childminder's keen awareness of safety issues. All required safety features are in place and children learn to hold hands, walk sensibly and to look, listen and cross roads safely as they walk with the childminder to the local school and shops. There is a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The back garden is fully enclosed and every reasonable step is taken to make it a safe area for children to play. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues which are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

detailed in a written policy. The policy is shared with parents. This means that they fully understand her responsibility to report any concerns. As a result children are well protected. She has a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee guidelines to use as a reference.

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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 satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's caring attitude and enthusiasm. Affectionate relationships are developed with the children in her care and she is attentive, joins in with their play and provides encouragement and praise to help them feel valued and cared for. Children enjoy their time with the childminder who encourages them to choose what they want to play with and learn new skills. For example, they push buttons on electronic toys. The childminder provides children with a suitable range of toys, equipment and activities, both in the home and out on visits. She ensures that children's development is encouraged through various activities which are adapted to meet individual needs. The childminder has knowledge of caring for babies and young children because of her experience as a mother, but she has limited knowledge and understanding of the framework 'Birth to three matters'. This framework underpins the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

care of younger children to ensure they develop to their full potential. Children settle quickly due to good settling-in arrangements that help them to feel secure, while toys and resources are laid out within easy reach so that babies and toddlers can explore things for themselves. The daily routine allows plenty of time to hold, cuddle and talk to young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and are given sufficient time to settle into the childminder's home so they feel a sense of belonging. They benefit from a calm and supportive approach and learn right from wrong through careful explanation and consistency. Children are encouraged to play together, take turns and share. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure all children are included and the childminder understands that some children may have special needs and has thought carefully about how she might care for them. There are limited resources and activities to help children learn about a diverse society through their play. This means children do not have a balanced view about the wider world. Children are cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet individual children's needs and ensure they are fully included in the life of the setting. A friendly, informal relationship with parents contributes to children’s well-being and helps them

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understand the childminder’s aims and practices. Daily chats and written policies help parents to know how their children are cared for. This means that children are fully included and their care is consistent when at the childminder's setting and at home.

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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 benefit from the way the childminder organises her home, time and resources. She has ensured adults in the household have been suitably checked and that visitors are not left alone with children. Her husband is also a registered childminder. All required documentation which contributes to children’s health and safety is in place. The childminder has many written policies and procedures in place, which are shared with parents, to ensure the well-being of the children is supported. There are adequate procedures in place to allow parents to raise concerns on behalf of their children, however there is no system to log complaints as required by the changes to the National Standards. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • improve your knowledge and understanding of 'Birth to three matters' and implement it into the day-to-day care of young children • improve the opportunities for children to learn about the diverse community through their play • update the policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the National Standards and relevant legislation.

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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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