Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY225326 Inspection date 07 June 2005 Inspector Mary Pratty

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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 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 October 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and four years in a semi-detached premises in Solihull. The local park and shops are within walking distance. The whole of ground floor and the bathroom, located on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she holds an NVQ Level 3, in Child Care and Education Qualification. She is registered to care for four children, at any one time and is currently minding four children under five

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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 years, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder has the use of a car and is willing to take and collect children from local school and pre-school activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable environment, that contributes to their general good health. They are learning about the need for good hygiene practice through well established routines and regular discussion. Children generally use individual wipes, which helps to prevent cross infection and the childminder has effective procedures in place to maintain a high standard of cleanliness during nappy changing. However, the bathroom towels whilst changed daily are not individual. Children’s specific health needs are clearly recorded and discussed with parents to ensure that the childminder is able to support each child's general well being. Children enjoy good access to the garden which leads directly from the playroom. They benefit from being able to access a wide variety of outdoor play equipment which particularly supports their physical development, confidence and self esteem

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Helping children to be healthy

as they learning to climb, swing and to manoeuvre wheeled vehicles safely. There are also plenty of smaller toys, tools and resources that support the children in learning to manipulate finer objects. The majority of the children's food is provided by their parents, this enables them to ensure that they have direct control over their children's diet. Food is stored appropriately and parents are given clear information about the quantity of food eaten and how well the children enjoyed what was provided. By working together parents and childminder have a good understanding of the children's preferences and level of appetite and this helps them to ensure that meals are nutritious and suitable. Children are provided with varied choices of healthy drinks and snacks by the childminder. This helps reinforce a healthy eating message, whilst encouraging the children to make some decisions about their food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about safety as the childminder takes time to discuss the need for safety rules in a clear and meaningful way. For example a new house rule about the need to wear shoes when playing outdoors is discussed, with reference to a recent accident where sharp bark had caused a minor, foot injury. Children are closely supervised as they sleep and the childminder organises activities and resources to make sure that they are stage appropriate and safe for the children attending. Children benefit from a range of safety measures already in place, however more

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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 detailed attention is required to some aspects of safety, in order to ensure that children are safe at all times. For example, whilst there are currently no children being cared for that need to use the bathroom, potentially dangerous cleaning materials are stored at a low level and there is no method of protecting children from the conservatory fire, if it is in use. In addition the system of securing the front door needs to be reviewed and improved, in order to make sure that an older child can-not easily open the door. Other aspects of fire safety are given good attention, smoke detectors are checked regularly, there is a written emergency procedure in place and the children are involved in "low key" fire drills in order that they start to learn how to respond in an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

emergency situation, without anxiety. Children are protected from possible abuse or neglect as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and she is clear about her role and responsibility to protect children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children explore and investigate the wide range of resources with enthusiasm; they are kept motivated and interested, as the childminder sensitively intervenes to further support their play when necessary. They can move freely throughout the designated play areas developing and extending their play independently. Whilst many activities can be directly accessed or viewed and requested, additional planned experiences are used to ensure that all aspects of development are well supported. Children's particular interests are observed and the childminder uses this information to introduce other activities that promote the development of new skills. For example the baby's fascination with balls is used to encourage his balance and co-ordination as he is learning to kick and follow a ball around the garden. Children benefit from warm caring interaction. They are confident is seeking hugs

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and reassurance and this helps them be settled and secure in the childminding environment. Attendance at toddler groups, visits to the library and other opportunities for socialising are provided in order to help children learn to form positive relationships with other children and adults. Trips out are also used to encourage the children to observe and learn about the natural environment, they enjoy feeding the ducks and noting the changes in the weather as they visit the local pond and park. The childminder uses every day experiences to reinforce learning; toys are counted and sorted as they are put away. Regular discussion with parents highlights any new aspects of development. For example the baby has started to learn some new words; these are discussed in order that the childminder can create opportunities for the baby to practise the new words.

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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 The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well supported. Their care needs are discussed in detail with their parents and routines and preferences are followed in order that the children feel comfortable and happy to stay. There are plenty of opportunities for children to make decisions and this helps them feel valued and they have some sense of control over daily events. Children's interests and abilities are taken into account when planning activities and this helps to ensure that they are purposefully occupied at their own level. Children are learning to think about others as they mix with children of different abilities. They are gently reminded about being careful and there is ongoing discussion about sharing and being kind which helps the children learn to treat each

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Helping children make a positive contribution

other with respect. Children understand expectations with regard to their behaviour, through consistent reinforcement and meaningful discussion, when appropriate. This helps them start to understand expectations and they learn to relate to each other with kindness. Children learn about diversity through ongoing discussion and the use of positive images particularly, imaginative play resources and books. The childminder is sensitive to inclusion. She learnt basic sign language when previously caring for a child with communication difficulties. Her own children and other children being cared for also enjoyed learning signs in order to help the child feel included and involved. An open, honest partnership with parents ensures that children's care and progress is effectively monitored and this contributes significantly to the children's general well being. Feedback is provided on a daily basis and a written resume of the day,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

provides parents with useful information to take home, should they need to reflect upon it later. In addition parents are provided with a comprehensive range of written information about the type of childminding service provided and the notice board, situated in the play room, is an ideal way of keeping parents well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from attending this well organised, welcoming, family environment. Toys and resources are set out in different rooms, this enables the childminder to make good use of the space and the children are confident in moving around the premises. Children's interests and requests are quickly responded to as the childminder makes sure that toys and equipment are stored, to be easily accessible. The childminder has demonstrated her commitment to developing new skills by undertaking a variety of training and the children are benefiting, as the childminder has begun to review and extend her practise. For example she has developed a range of policies and procedures that are clearly displayed alongside other relevant information in the main play area, this helps to keep parents well informed about daily practise.

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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 All required documentation, which contributes to the health, well being and safety of the children is shared with parents, it stored securely and organised to maintain confidentiality. Overall the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved documentation with regard to records of attendance and medications. In addition younger children are directly supervised at all times. However, whilst action has been successful with regard to stopping children from being able to turn the fire on in the conservatory, there is currently no method of restricting access to the fire, if it is in use.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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): • improve the system to prevent cross infection with regard to hand drying facilities in the bathroom • improve safety with regard to the accessibility of the fire in the conservatory, the storage of cleaning materials in the bathroom and security of the front door.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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