Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312172 Inspection date 10 November 2005 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 has been registered since 2005 and works with another registered childminder from a property close to shops, parks and a library. The whole of the ground floor and two first floor bedrooms and bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding a total of eleven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is also registered to offer overnight care for two children under the age of eight.

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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 The childminder has an early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She attends childminder meetings organised by the Early Years Day Care Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Older children use the bathroom independently and are learning good hygiene practices. Younger children are encouraged and assisted appropriately with their personal hygiene. They are beginning to understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and learn about good hygiene and good health through daily routines which are practised consistently. Children have their dietary needs met as the childminder works well with parents to meet their individual needs and they benefit from a healthy range of nutritious foods. The childminder is very attentive to the needs of the younger children ensuring their individual routines are met. There is a menu board on display and a daily diary which is used to inform parents about the amounts of food and liquid younger children consume. Younger children’s snack and lunch times are particularly well organised. This benefits children greatly with their social skills as they sit in a small group at the

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Helping children to be healthy

table and enjoy their meal together. They are offered regular drinks throughout the day and are gaining their independence through choosing when they have them. Children benefit from the well written policies and most procedures devised to support children's good health are informative and helpful, apart from the emergency medical advice and treatment consent form, which lacks clarity. Children take part in varied activities which contribute to their good health. They are able to rest and sleep on their individual sleep-mats as and when they require. They enjoy active indoor and outdoor play, gaining control of both larger and smaller movements, for example, on wheeled toys and when throwing and chasing after balls. Regular walks out and visits to the park, sports centre, library and shops contribute to their general well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can move around safely as space is well organised. They play in a warm, welcoming environment and are gaining a good awareness of the importance of their own and others safety. They are free to explore and experiment during indoor and outdoor play and they enjoy the varied activities organised for them. They play in a secure garden and have free access to a very good range of well maintained resources and equipment to meet their needs. Children are well supervised indoors and outside as the childminder is aware of the importance of identifying hazards and of having good safety arrangements in place

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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 for children to explore and investigate in safety. They travel in safety in the childminder’s vehicle. Children are learning about procedures to follow to keep themselves safe, for example, in an emergency evacuation. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder keeping up to date with training in childcare issues, having a current first aid certificate, and a secure understanding of the child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute to their overall development for example, through imaginative role-play, physical outdoor play and indoor toys and games. They explore a wide range of textures, including paint, sand and water and this helps them to express their thoughts, experiences, feelings and ideas. Children benefit from a colourful, stimulating and interesting environment in which they are happy, content and well cared for. Younger children’s snack and lunch times are particularly well organised. The childminder is calm and caring and spends her time encouraging and assisting younger children to hold and use cutlery appropriately. This benefits children greatly with their social skills as they all sit at the table and enjoy their meal together. Children are becoming more independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all age ranges. They listen and respond to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder and enjoy sharing stories and songs. Children’s interest is sustained and learning is encouraged through a very good range of suitably maintained resources that promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice well. The childminder has introduced the 'Birth to three matters' framework, an approach to support children as young learners, but this is not fully effective.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to play together and behave well. Behaviour management strategies are discussed with parents. Children's self-esteem is promoted and good behaviour is encouraged and praised through the effective and consistent approach the childminder has for dealing with a range of children's behaviour. Children respond to age and stage appropriate tactics and they are rewarded with consistent praise for their achievements. Children benefit from a two-way exchange of information and friendly relationship between parents and childminder. This promotes children's welfare and ensures information about likes and dislikes and individual needs is shared and needs are met. Children are encouraged to play together, share and take turns on equipment, such

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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 as the tricycles, wheeled toys and when engaged in role play. They are helped to develop a positive attitude toward one another and are gaining a sense of what is right and wrong. Children have good opportunity to play with equipment, games toys and resources that all reflect positive images of different cultures, religions and other people’s similarities and differences. They are beginning to show care and concern for each other and have a developing awareness of others needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease within the well organised space and resources. Most written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and care and needs of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's routines and activities. The emergency medical treatment and advice form lacks clarity thus compromising children’s safety. The childminder attends network meetings and training courses to update her knowledge and skills. She holds an appropriate level early year’s qualification, current First Aid certificate and basic food handling and hygiene certificate and attends further training as necessary to ensure she is updated on childcare issues. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to keep children safe and to protect them from illness and infection. The childminder has, for example, good

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Organisation

vetting procedures, sick children procedures and checks to ensure good hygiene routines are maintained. A wide range of activities are planned with a good balance of toys, games and resources to enhance children's learning and development in all areas. The ‘Birth to three matters’ framework is not fully exploited to ensure children receive an effective framework of learning. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration/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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • review and clarify the emergency medical treatment and advice consent form • further improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’ framework

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The quality and standards of the care

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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