Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307580 Inspection date 13 December 2005 Inspector Julie Mary Preston

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, nine and ten years in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding four children on a part time basis. The childminder drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to visit the local park, the library and the local shops. The family has a dog.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home, where the procedures implemented by the childminder help children learn the importance of staying healthy. Children develop understanding about hygiene as they wash their hands before meals and after fussing the dog. The childminder has an understanding of the procedures for dealing with sickness, existing injuries, accidents and administration of medication. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion and the range of meals and snacks provided by the parents and the childminder. Children are given regular access to drinks and are comfortable requesting drinks and snacks as they require them throughout the day. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual dietary needs. If parents provide children's dietary requirements they are appropriately stored and served to children. This ensures

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Helping children to be healthy

individual dietary needs are met. The childminder is aware of good hygiene practices and has regard for this within food preparation and storage. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their good health. Regular physical activities help children develop physical skills and gain control of their bodies. For example, outdoor games, walks around the local environment, dance sessions and use of the rear garden. Children are given opportunities to rest or sleep in line with parental wishes and individual sleep patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a mostly safe and secure environment where the childminder aims to ensure possible risks are identified and minimised. However, security of the premises is not maintained and glass bottles present a hazard to children. The childminder develops children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and maintain safety both inside and outside the home. For example, through discussion about playing together nicely and sharing with the other children to develop their understanding and to keep them safe. The home is maintained and offers a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment available. The child friendly environment allows children to independently select activities from the wide range of toys, which are suitable for the age range of children attending. Toys are organised in storage chests, storage boxes on shelves and in drawers at

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child height to allow easy access and are rotated to ensure variety. The childminder has the required safety procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example by practising fire procedures, providing smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures that should ensure children are protected from harm or

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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 neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and show enjoyment of their time in the childminder's care. They are confident and make themselves at home. The children interact well with the childminder and with each other showing a clear bond that leads to positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Children gain confidence to express their needs and wants with the childminder. The childminder takes time to listen and make conversation with each child expanding on children's individual interests through discussion and questioning. This develops children's understanding. Children experience a wide range of age-appropriate activities that promote development, encourage confidence, develop independence and promote self-esteem, such as independently selecting activities and resources. All children spend their time purposefully. Many of the activities are child led with the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ably supporting and extending children's learning. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child that attends and their individual capabilities. This enables her to adapt and extend activities to ensure each child gains the most out of each activity they participate in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of equal opportunities and special needs issues. All children are treated as individuals and their needs met. Resources and activities, for example, books, jigsaws, dolls, links with local schools and activities relating to specific festivals provide positive images and develop children's understanding of themselves and the wider world, and helps them develop positive attitudes increasing awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Children are well behaved and show care and concern for each other as they take turns and show an understanding of their boundaries. The childminder applies a consistent approach to manage a wide range of children's behaviour. Positive use of praise and lots of encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They have opportunities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to rest and to be active within the daily routine. The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them. Discussions are held with parents and children at the initial visits with ongoing discussions and observations on a daily basis to ensure individual children's needs are identified and met. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her procedures and how children will be cared for by sharing her policies and procedures, by providing a daily diary for children and by having daily discussions with parents about children's care and achievements.

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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. The childminder meets all relevant training requirements; she has attended a first aid course and undertaken her Introduction to Childminding Practice. She is keen to attend additional training to further develop her knowledge and skills. The children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. The environment provided both inside and outside the home enables children to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. A range of written and verbal policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared daily with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and well-being through a children's diary and verbal exchanges. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. All required documentation is in place that is accurately completed and maintained. Overall the

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Organisation

provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the childminder was registered. 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 security of the premises is maintained at all times. • restrict children's access to low level glass bottles.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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