Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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210174 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2008 Inspection date Jasvinder Kaur 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1992. She lives with her adult daughter on a large housing estate in the Wilnecote area of Tamworth. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is 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 and one child over five on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She provides a childminding service during school holidays as well. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 inadequate. The childminder takes some positive steps to promote hygiene. However, she has not completed a first aid course. Neither has she requested written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for all children. This compromises children’s health. The children develop understanding and awareness of personal hygiene through organised activities and routines. They wash their hands before meals, after messy play and after using the toilet. After meals also they brush their teeth and are encouraged to clean under their nails when necessary. Children are protected from the spread of infection because there is a procedure in place to exclude children with infectious illnesses. Medication and accident records are suitably maintained and shared with parents, who countersign all entries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which cater for their individual needs. Appropriate storage is provided for children’s packed lunches at suitable temperature. A selection of fresh fruits and drinks are readily available. They enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes. The childminder is well aware of children's dietary requirements and preferences through consultation with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills through appropriate range of energetic play and activities. They enjoy walking to local shops and playing at their local park on a regular basis. Children use a suitable range of outdoor toys and equipment which enhance their physical skills. They enjoy dance with music and play regularly in the back garden. This ensures they understand the benefit of exercise and keep physically fit. There are suitable arrangements for rest and sleep according to children’s individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe both indoors and on outings. The childminder carries out safety checks around the area to prevent accidents. However, access to stairs, cutlery draw and broken gardening equipment is not prevented. This compromises children’s safety. The satisfactory organisation of toys and equipment enables children to move around safely in the house and garden. Children are supervised at all times and are warned about any hazards while they are playing or eating. They develop an awareness of safety measures through emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children benefit from a welcoming and secure environment. Space is used appropriately and creatively both in the house and in the garden. Children’s photographs, art work and suitable colourful furniture create a stimulating environment. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment which enables them to develop their learning skills. The resources are safe, clean and well organised to provide free choice to encourage children's independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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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. Children’s development is well promoted as the childminder offers them a wide range of activities and play opportunities. The children are confident in the setting and have a positive relationship with the childminder. They are thoroughly familiar with surroundings which create a family-oriented environment and help them to feel at home. They are confident and happily engage visitors in conversation talking about their family and personal experiences. Children develop their social skills and enjoy being with others at the setting. Good opportunities are provided to develop their creative talents, as they produce their own art work alongside more structured art activities for the purposes of themed pieces.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress through a variety of learning experiences which develop their language, mathematical thinking, imagination and social skills. Free access to a good selection of books and regular story-reading times promote children’s communication skills. Children develop their self-esteem by trying new activities and facing challenges in a safe environment. They are encouraged to think for themselves and answer questions. Their mathematical skills are supported through a variety of resources, well planned activities, play opportunities and encouragement from the childminder. This helps children to make good progress in all areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally valued and their individuality is respected. They are praised for positive behaviour and for completing tasks. Behaviour management is discussed with parents and some methods which are similar to those used at home are adopted. However, a positive approach is not always selected to promote children’s welfare and development. This means children are not always supported appropriately to learn right from wrong. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure children’s individual needs are met. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis through verbal communication and well documented policies. This creates a suitable environment for children and their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have a sense of belonging. They are encouraged to take part in activities. The childminder discusses children’s needs with parents, which enables her to provide suitable care. Children are involved in decision making when selecting play and taking part in household activities such as tidying up toys and dusting their own playroom. Special needs of children are recognised and met sensitively. Their individual needs are discussed with parents in detail. Any special requirements are discussed and consistent communication and information exchange takes place. Children receive individual attention so that their needs are effectively taken into account. They develop knowledge and understanding of diversity through appropriate resources and activities. They are becoming independent in dressing and taking personal care of themselves.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are at ease in an organised and safe environment. They benefit from welcoming premises where they feel secure and their individual needs are taken into account. The childminder regularly attends relevant courses. However, she has not completed a first aid training which is consistent with guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State.

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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 This means it is uncertain that she has an up-to-date knowledge of current childcare arrangements in this respect. Consequently, children’s health and welfare is compromised.

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Organisation

The childminder has suitable arrangements to protect children and has undertaken relevant vetting procedures. This ensures that children receive appropriate care. Most of the childminder’s documents are clear, well maintained and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality. They are readily available for inspection and shared with parents to keep them informed of their child’s care and routines. Additional documentation is made available to parents relating to the childminder's qualifications and information about the service provided.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, obtain emergency contact details from parents and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now provided a suitable range of resources to reflect diversity and anti-discriminatory practices. She has obtained emergency contact details from all parents. Although there is a system in place to request written parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment, this has not been in all case. This means some children’s needs are not met in this respect. This issue has been highlighted in the report.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • make arrangements to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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 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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