Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY291774 Unique Reference Number 26 August 2008 Inspection date Mary Kelly 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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and eight years in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding and a bathroom is located on the first floor. 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. Currently she is caring for eight children some of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes the children to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and homely environment. Their welfare is well promoted through good procedures which protect them from infection. For example, children are able to see the childminder acting as a good role model with hand washing and risk of cross-

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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 contamination is lowered as the children have access to individual towels. Children learn about appropriate personal care throughout the daily routine, developing an understanding of why they should wash their hands at appropriate times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise and engage in fun activities including going to local playgroups, walking in the local environment and visiting the adventure playground, as well as daily access to the childminder's garden. Children are also encouraged to learn about the importance of physical exercise through discussion, for example, they have access to outside groups to further support their physical activity, such as, at local adventure playgrounds. Children are able to have quiet time for sleeping or relaxing throughout the day with comforters or teddy bears if necessary and benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines, which ensures that their individual needs are met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder now holds a current first aid certificate and has easy access to a well-stocked first aid box to enable her to deal with any minor accidents effectively. Parents are kept informed of their child's health and of any accidents involving their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a significant understanding of the importance of providing children with a nutritionally balanced diet. She works in partnership with parents to understand children's individual likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Parents are given the option to provide their own meals for children, and currently the childminder provides all food and snacks for the minded children. The childminder prepares the food for the children and ensures that it reflects healthy eating practice. This therefore substantially promotes children's health. Children are sufficiently hydrated, with drinks readily available to them at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe because on the whole both indoor and outdoor environments are safe, secure and child-friendly. The childminder is proactive in identifying and minimising potential hazards and completes visual risk assessments throughout the day, which allows the children to move around safely and independently. However, at inspection a couple of risks were noticed that could potentially compromise children's safety, with regard to the television and a fencing panel. Many appropriate safety measures have been put in place including smoke alarms, stair gate and socket covers to prevent children from potential hazards. The childminder regularly takes the children out in the local area, and for trips in her car. She has written consent from parents to allow the children to go on outings. Her public liability insurance is valid. With these in place the safety of the children is usually effective.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of toys and equipment, which are available for children to self-select from. All equipment is clean, safe and suitable for the ages of the children in the childminder's care. All toys and resources are cleaned regularly and checked for safety and if children notice that toys are broken they are instantly removed. This prevents children from potential harm. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with them, such as, what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of the known signs and symptoms of possible child abuse, as she has recently attended relevant training in this area. She is aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. Her current practice reflects Local Safeguarding Children's Board guidelines.

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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. The childminder develops warm, caring relationships with the children in her care. They are very settled and encouraged to feel at home, and often take on many free-play and art and craft opportunities that are offered. The children often make free choices about what they would like to play with. Children's daily routines, likes, dislikes, favourite toys and comforters are recognised and acknowledged by the childminder who responds sensitively by ensuring children's needs are appropriately met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enjoys the company of the children and they benefit from her enthusiasm in her role as childminder. She offers constant praise and builds their self-esteem. Children are engaged in their play, making decisions about how they would like to spend their time and which resources they want to play with. The childminder regularly consults with the children regarding new resources they would like to be purchased. Whilst in the home children engage in a range of creative activities including frequent art and craft activities and physical activity. Children also regularly visit external groups where they are able to socialise with other children and further develop on their play experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of appropriate behaviour management strategies and children are well-behaved. Children are provided with encouragement and praise consistently through the day, which in turn develops their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder gives consistent encouragement to reinforce good behaviour and develop children's awareness of her expectations and what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider world and their community, as they celebrate some cultural festivals supported by making art and craft items that link to the topic. They have access to a range of positive images which promote positive images reflecting the diversity of society. There is an balanced commitment from the childminder to ensure all children are included and she works with parents to ensure she supports and meets children's individual needs. Although, the childminder currently has no children attending that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has suitable arrangements in place to suggest that she would be able to, and has some experience, of caring for children should this be required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An informal partnership with parents contributes to the children's well-being. Parents know how their children are being cared for because they are given verbal feedback during daily discussions. Prior to children starting parents share in how their children are cared for including dietary needs, so that the childminder can provide continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable environment. They benefit from the childminder's friendly and caring nature. The environment is organised to allow suitable play opportunities for children. The home is suitably maintained and resources are of good quality.

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Organisation

Children's information and records are all available for inspection. She adequately maintains her documentation and records arrival and departure times of the children. The childminder

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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 has recently attended some training courses and this has ensured her knowledge base has increased with regard to child protection and first aid training. The childminder has ensured that all adults in the household have been suitably checked. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to improve safety by addressing the safety issues regarding the access to the dangerous objects and to the stairs, low-level glass doors and tables, loose carpet, electric sockets and a lock on the bedroom window, obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children, ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters and display the certificate of registration for childminding. She has addressed many of these by moving house. This has taken care of many of the safety issues that were outstanding. Written permission has been gained prior to

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Improvements since the last inspection

medication being given to the children, the childminder has been on courses for child protection and first aid to ensure her knowledge is current. Certificate of registration is on display in the childminder's hallway.

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 children's safety is not compromised, with regard to safety of the television • ensure garden area is safe for the children, in relation to the broken fence panel.

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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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