Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357547 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2008 Inspection date Esther Gray 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 2007. She lives with her partner and their three children aged three, seven and 16 years in Hagley, near Stourbridge, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, except for the dining area, is used for childminding. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. She walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local parent and toddler group, activity groups, and takes children to the local library, parks and play areas. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a qualified and experienced nursery nurse and belongs to a local childminder support group. 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 good. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after activities outside in the garden, before meals and after using the toilet facilities. These facilities are well equipped and maintained to a high standard and ensure children have independent access to the hand wash basin. Children have their own towel and can easily reach the sink. As a result, they are learning about the importance of good hygiene. Positive steps are taken by the childminder to prevent the spread of infection. Although the childminder maintains a paediatric first aid qualification and keeps a well-stocked first aid kit to hand, she has not obtained permission from parents to summon assistance in a medical emergency. Consequently, there remains a potential risk to children's health should a medical emergency arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy good opportunities to experience physical activity and develop their skills well. Children can move outdoors to play as and when they would like, gaining the benefit of fresh air and exercise to their health daily. The childminder is developing her plans to ensure children will appreciate healthy eating as a part of the programme of events she is developing for their care and education. They enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and can access fresh water or juice throughout their stay. As a result, children are well nourished and have some good opportunities to learn about healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. The childminder has undertaken basic awareness training in child protection to ensure she is able to put appropriate procedures into practice. This ensures children are suitably safeguarded. There are sufficient systems in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unescorted and that intruders cannot gain unauthorised entry. Toys and resources are maintained to a high standard. As a result, children are secure, well supervised and use a suitable range of good quality toys and equipment that are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children. She is very safety conscious and has assessed the potential risks of a number of possible hazards. She has minimised these risks well. As a result, children are able to investigate and explore their surroundings safely. However, although the provider has taken advise from a fire officer, the required fire blanket is not readily available and there is no fixed fireguard to prevent risk from the fire and it's surrounds and from heat. Consequently, there remains a potential risk that, in an emergency, gas and other appliances pose a hazard to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn about fire safety, rehearsing the emergency evacuation procedure regularly with the provider. They also learn to move safely indoors and outside in the garden to ensure they do not harm themselves or others. As a result, children's well-being is well safeguarded.

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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 have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because the childminder is developing flexible, effective plans which provide activities and play opportunities that help children achieve. Children easily move between indoors and outdoors in their play following their own interests and developing imaginative and creative play in many activities. For example, children develop role play in the outdoor play house, reading a story from inside to an imaginary audience or the childminder. Children use a variety of different media to explore natural and man-made materials. For instance, they play in a water tray in the garden pouring, filling and emptying containers. They notice when the addition of green washing up liquid, disappears in the water only to find the magic of bubbles appearing. Children paint, make models, draw and construct with a variety of resources, learning about

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

colour and shape in the process. As a result, children are developing a good disposition towards learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled. They explore their environment with confidence. They make many choices and decisions about what they want to play with. Children can mostly access resources independently. They are well supported by the childminder, adding to an already plentiful supply of resources around the home and outdoor play area from further resources stored. A typical day provides for the children's care needs very well. The childminder ensures they have space for snack time, time to further develop or go back to games and activities they are enjoying. Children are developing their learning and social skills well in trips to local areas such as Wyre Forest and other outings. As a result, children are confident, independent and are developing their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are becoming aware of their own needs and respect the needs of others. Children learn to share resources, take turns and appreciate that there are similarities and differences in children and adults they meet. The childminder has a wide and imaginative range of resources to support her in promoting children's awareness of racial, cultural, religious, and disability in the diversity of the wider community. All children are included and valued as individuals which actively promotes inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are supplied with important information about how the setting is run and what their children might be engaged in whilst in the care of the childminder. There are some very good systems used to share this information, in documents prepared and discussions held with parents on a daily basis. There are good details obtained about children's needs and necessary permissions obtained, for example, to cover outings. This means children can see parents and childminder working together to give consistent messages. However, although parents have been made aware of the complaints process they have not been made aware of how to make contact with the regulator. Some aspects of the complaints process are misleading. As a result, delays may occur in resolving concerns raised about childcare, leading to escalation of concerns unnecessarily. Consequently, there is a potential risk that the continuity of care

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from effective organisation of the setting. Most policies and procedures protect children sufficiently and are shared with parents to promote good outcomes for children. Records are available and retained for inspection. They are well organised and kept confidential. Parents are kept mostly well informed with good systems in place to share information and gather important details of children's care needs to safeguard them whilst with the childminder. Children are protected from harm as the childminder is aware of the importance of ensuring that all unvetted visitors are suitable and are not left unattended with children in the setting or whilst on outings.

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Organisation

The organisation of space and resources allows children to develop their own play ideas and develop their imaginative play very well. There are many opportunities built into the day to promote children's understanding of language, numeracy and knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children are well cared for in a setting where the childminder is committed to continue to update her skills and knowledge by attending training, having a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement. Overall children's needs are met.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 written parental permission is requested, at the time of the placement, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • ensure aspects of record keeping are in place, such as the complaints procedure; this includes parents being made aware of the name and address of the regulator and the system in place for recording any concerns

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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 • ensure all required fire and safety precautions are in place including fire blanket, fire guard and that all access to electric sockets is restricted.

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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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