Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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255416 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Karen Cooper 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 1992. She lives with her husband and 15 year old child in Willenhall. There are schools, shops and a park within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children. All of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They have access to good quality hand washing resources and benefit from gentle reminders and explanations from the childminder to wash their hands after

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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 using the toilet and before eating. All of the children's needs are extremely well met, with care tailored to meet their individual needs including rest, feeding and toileting. There are very good procedures in place to care for children who are ill, which are shared and agreed with parents at registration. The childminder is trained in administering first aid and has appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medication and accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is effectively promoted because the childminder provides a variety of wholesome, nutritious snacks including fruit. Children’s preferences are well catered for and the childminder has a sound knowledge of their dietary needs. Parents' wishes are respected and they are kept well informed about the quantity of food that their child has eaten. Fresh drinks are readily available and children are regularly prompted to have a drink to ensure that they remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are good daily opportunities both inside and outdoors for children to be active and gain control of their bodies. They regularly go for walks and play in the garden with resources that promote and extend their developing physical control. They enjoy visits to the local soft play centre and park which helps to further improve children's physical skills and provides the opportunity to learn about the environment and their local community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are interested and challenged by the resources that are available to them. There is a wide range of toys that are in good condition and are suitable for children of all ages and stages of development. Younger children are kept safe as the childminder carefully monitors and supervises their choice of toys to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are stored so that children can make choices and reach them easily. However, the children’s safety is being compromised because they are not made fully aware of boundaries to ensure they can play and move around safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The garden is secure and the area in which the children play is safe and suitable for their use. Positive steps are taken to help children learn about fire safety. They know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency which the childminder regularly practises with them. The childminder has all of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and their welfare is positively fostered because of the childminder's commitment to act in the best interests of the child should she have any concerns. Parents are fully informed of this duty of care through the detailed policy drafted by the childminder which is included in their information packs. The childminder keeps her knowledge and skills up to date by undertaking relevant training to keep abreast of changes to procedures and legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide variety of play experiences that help them to make very good progress in their development. They are very much at home and relaxed knowing that their needs and requests will be listened to and acknowledged where appropriate. Children become engrossed and absorbed in their activities. For example, they enthusiastically participate in a craft activity

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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 and enjoy painting on a canvas designing their own patterns. Great enjoyment is had as they discuss what colour paints to use and the patterns they have created.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are valued and are helped to feel good about themselves. Very good relationships have been formed between the childminder and children. The childminder listens with interest to their ideas and is skilled in talking to the children. She ensures that children are engaged in their activities asking them questions to extend their experiences and learning and spends quality time playing with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is an impressive range of age-appropriate resources which children can easily access. Children have first hand experiences to develop curiosity as learners because the childminder encourage them to take part in new activities such as exploring paint, cooking, role play, sand and various craft activities. All experiences are fully extended to ensure that children reach their full potential and younger children benefit from the childminder understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly respected and valued by the childminder. They are confident in her responses to their requests as they ask for certain resources and activities knowing that they will be met. They are developing a clear understanding of the diversity and differing needs of others in society as they relate very positively to the various range of resources including books, dolls, figures and role play. Clear records are kept to ensure that all information about each child is detailed and closely followed to provide routines that are consistent with those followed at home wherever possible. Information is regularly shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed of their child’s progress and development. Training for some aspects of care has been carried out by the childminder from parents to ensure that children are safe and their individual needs are effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is extremely well fostered and the childminder uses a range of effective strategies to manage behaviour that is appropriate to individual ages and stages of maturity and understanding. Children are made aware of the expectations of their behaviour because the childminder takes time to discuss concerns and consequences of their behaviour on others. She uses her knowledge of child development to manage certain behaviour in a very positive way understanding that some children can be frightened by their loss of emotional control at such times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the extremely well organised and professional approach the childminder has to working in close partnership with parents and carers. Parents have access to a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which ensures that they are fully aware of the expectations and services offered and can be reassured about the care their children receive. The childminder is very flexible and endeavours to meet patents requirements wherever possible ensuring consistency of care for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children use the space in the home very effectively as they relax and enjoy the activities offered. Their health, welfare and well-being are successfully promoted because the childminder is well organised and takes a friendly but professional approach to her role. She is an experienced

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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 childminder and is fully committed to undertaking relevant training in order to enhance her skills and knowledge to the benefit of the children. She is enthusiastic and eager to provide positive experiences for children in her care, taking pride in her role in their on-going development.

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Organisation

All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare is in place and regularly reviewed. The attendance register is accurately maintained and in-depth additional information relating to the service offered such as policies and procedures support the childminder’s excellent practice. Documentation is safely stored to maintain confidentiality whilst still being easily accessible in an emergency.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to obtain written permission from parents before taking photographs and ensure confidentiality is maintained when completing medication records. The childminder now has the appropriate permissions in place for photographs and confidentiality is maintained with regard to the administration of medication, which ensures children's privacy is well protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 reasonable steps are taken to minimise hazards within the living room.

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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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