Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269603 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2007 Inspection date Susan Rogers 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 2003. She lives with her two children aged 13 and 15 years in Wolverhampton. There are shops, schools and a park all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor, a first-floor bathroom and bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children may be cared for at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for one child who attends on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder receives support from the local authority. She regularly takes children to local parks, libraries and playgroups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected as the routines are effective in preventing illness and infection. For example, children wash their hands prior to eating their meals. Most of the areas in the home

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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 are in a clean and hygienic condition which protects children's welfare. However, their welfare is compromised as the waste container for food in the kitchen is not covered. Children's physical health is well promoted as they enjoy food that meets with their different dietary requirements. Their well-being is further promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of food that has a positive nutritional benefit. The documentation is effective in protecting children's welfare, for example, all medication administered is done so with parents’ prior written consent, all accidents are recorded and emergency medical consent is maintained for each child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected if there is concern in respect of their health as the childminder has a current paediatric first aid qualification and knows how to respond if there are concerns. They are well protected during outings as children wear sufficiently warm clothing. They are protected in the warm weather as the childminder ensures that children have sufficient to drink and that they have sun protection cream applied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from the dangers of fire as the childminder regularly practices the fire evacuation plans and has strategies in place to evacuate the premises when overnight care is provided. Their safety is further protected as the childminder has a smoke alarm installed on each floor of the premises and a fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen. The equipment and toys are mostly suitable for children's use. For example, there are books, play people and creative play equipment. However, some of the toys are unsuitable for younger children and may compromise their safety. Suitable safety equipment protects children's welfare and includes a stair gate to prevent children accessing the kitchen and fitted fireguard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children sleep in safety and comfort as the childminder ensures that younger children sleep in a travel cot on the ground floor during the day and that their sleep is carefully monitored. They are protected if there are concerns in respect of their care as the childminder has completed child protection training and has available the Local Safeguarding Children Board contact numbers. Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has the good understanding of how to monitor their activities and encourage their understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's language skills are positively promoted as they are consistently encouraged to use noises and gestures to express their feelings. For example, the childminder encourages younger children to communicate by babbling, making noises and gestures and by forming words for them. Children flourish through the effective one-to-one support which the childminder frequently provides. For example, younger children have frequent opportunities to sit on the childminder's lap and enjoy cuddles and comfort. Children's freedom is actively encouraged as they are given good scope for exploration and independent play. They are given opportunities to investigate and explore interesting experiences during frequent outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual stages of development and plans for their further progress by devising specific activities and obtaining helpful equipment. Children's different routines are well managed, for example, younger children are offered feeds when required and babies are cradled whilst they are bottle fed. Children are well rested whilst

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 the childminder's care as she ensures that they are able to sleep when they wish. For example, during daytime sessions younger children sleep in a travel cot and older children on the settee.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's well-being is protected as the childminder listens to parents' preferences and ensures that she implements all aspects of their preferred to care needs. Very flexible working arrangements ensure that both children's and parents' needs are well met as the childminder provides extended working hours and overnight care. Children's continuity of care is maintained as the childminder encourages parents to take an interest in their child's activities at the setting through discussion at the end of the child's day. The childminder has an effective understanding of current legislation in respect of parents' complaints which, therefore, protects children's welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have appropriate care as the childminder is willing to complete any relevant training and has an understanding of their individual needs and current legislation. Children are encouraged to have a good awareness of the wider world through a variety of toys and equipment that give positive representation of other cultures and beliefs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as the childminder ensures they are engaged in a meaningful range of activities that are well suited to their preferences and ability. Their learning is promoted through the childminder's calm and caring demeanour. She has a good understanding of how to encourage children to take responsibility within the setting by encouraging them to clear away their toys and equipment following their play. Explanations to children that describe the needs of others encourage caring and considerate responses towards others. Their confidence is promoted as they are frequently hugged and reassured by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected as all adults in the household are vetted. The documentation protects children's individual needs, for example, the attendance register records children's times of arrival and departure, and children's contracts are regularly updated and include details of their care needs. All documentation is shared with parents which therefore protects children's welfare. The childminder accesses a variety of modular training opportunities which, therefore, provides her with greater skills in meeting children's individual needs. Their well-being is protected as the childminder provides a very flexible care package by providing overnight care and extended hours during the day. Children's well-being is protected as a childminder has a good understanding of the current complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The successful organisation promotes children's learning opportunities. For example, the living room space is arranged so younger children who are learning to walk can use the furniture for support and the dining table is available for craft activities and so that children can eat their meals in a positive social setting. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure the rear garden and passageway are free from hazards, provide a fire blanket in the kitchen and provide furniture, equipment and toys for outdoor and indoor play that meet the developmental needs of all the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is now mostly protected as the rear garden and access passageway are all safe for children to use as these have been cleared, a fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen, there is now suitable equipment and furniture and most of the toys available are suitable for children's use.

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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): • ensure that toys and equipment meet the developmental needs of all children • protect children from illness and infection by ensuring that the waste bin in the kitchen is covered.

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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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