Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 255488 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Samantha Jayne Taylor

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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 2000. She lives with her 3 children aged 15, 13 and 9 years. They live in a house in Walsall, West Midlands within walking distance of schools, parks and a resource and community centre. All areas of the property, except the main bedroom are used for childminding. There is a garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 4 children at any one time; she presently has 4 children on roll aged 7, 4, 3 and 2 years. She is also registered to provide overnight care.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and she is also involved in a local childminding support network. She holds a level 3 certificate for the Quality First Assurance Scheme. The childminder organises a local parent and toddler group and she is commencing a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Early Years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's daily routines help children to feel secure. Children are confident in their surroundings, a comfortable and clean environment where hygiene is maintained. However, one practice adopted by the childminder does not minimise the risk of cross infection for example, a shared hand towel is used by the minded children. Children enjoy a variety of food types including fruits such as kiwi and gooseberries. As a result, children are introduced to new tastes and benefit from a balanced diet. At meal times the childminder promotes children's social skills as she sits and eats with the children; children's music is played in the background. The relaxed 'family environment' created helps children develop good social skills as they discuss and recall activities, for example an outing to the safari park. As a result, children develop positive relationships both with each other and the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder incorporates a range of daily outdoor play activities including trips to the park. Children have the opportunity to play with large and small toys which enhances their large motor development and helps children to learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes each child into a home where stimulating activities are offered both indoors and outdoors. Children are well supervised and supported. The childminder spends time playing with the children and their pictures are displayed. As a result, children feel welcomed and have a positive relationship with the childminder. The childminder provides a range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate equipment which meets children's individual needs. Fire safety is good with attention paid to minimising risks to children, for example the childminder completes a written record of fire drills practised. On outings children are well protected and the childminder has use of any additional equipment that may be required, through loan from the resource centre, for example a double buggy. Child protection is discussed with parents and together with the childminder's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities means that there are effective procedures in place to protect children.

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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. A range of stimulating activities is offered, which enhance children's development. Children relate well to one another and openly display their affection for the childminder, as they ask for hugs and cuddles. As a result, children are assured and explore their environment with confidence. Children benefit from routines which are familiar and consistent with their experiences at home, for example meal times. They are given time, attention and praise by the childminder who sits and plays with the children. Opportunities for play and introduction to new experiences enrich children's development, for example children recall a visit to the safari park where they saw bats in a cave. As a consequence, children are supported in their learning as they are shown and then practise skills gained, for example how to fit a piece of jigsaw puzzle. Children learn many skills through play. They have regular access to creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities such as collage, where children choose paper for their individual work. Children develop independence and small motor skills, as they use the glue with spatula to create their pictures. They are proud of their achievements and this helps children to develop positive self-esteem. The childminder's use of descriptive words such as 'shiny' and 'shimmering' assists children in developing their language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder introduces children to a good range of toys and equipment through the loan of resources from the local resource centre, for example dressing up costumes which reflect different cultures. Children discuss, recall activities and ask questions as they look at jigsaws with the childminder, for example festivals. The activities provided are fun, varied and reflect equality. This helps children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder discusses at the onset of care the child's health, likes and dislikes including daily routine to ensure the children are happy in her care. Children's self-esteem is promoted by the childminder giving praise, time and support which allows them to explore and become confident in their surroundings. As a result, children behave well and respond to the childminder's guidance. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals with their particular needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

considered and accommodated. The childminder gives individual attention, works closely with parents and shares daily information with home through verbal communication. As a result, positive relationships between the childminder and home are developed.

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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 The organisation is good. The childminder has completed many short courses relating to early years, together with the Quality First Assurance Scheme. This not only enhances her knowledge and understanding in meeting children's individual needs, for example behaviour management, but children benefit by the strategies used. Opportunities for play and introduction to new experiences enrich children's development, for example children recall a visit to the safari park where they saw bats in a cave. Children are well supported and cared for by the childminder who welcomes children in a 'family environment'; individual attention and praise are offered. This means that children thrive, feel welcomed and have fun. The childminder maintains and reviews documentation but some is incomplete, which

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Organisation

means that not all written details are available to share. As a consequence, children's consistency of care is not fully enhanced. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder should obtain a parental signature as acknowledgement to accident records, ensure documentation was complete and to retain records for a minimum duration. Although there has been improvement, some documentation remains incomplete. This means that full written details are not available to share, to ensure consistency of care for the children. The Children Act inspection also recommended that the landing and outdoor area be made safe. The childminder has decorated the landing and has taken steps to restrict children's egress from the garden, with children directly supervised when playing outdoors. As a result, risks to children are minimised.

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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

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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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 the hygiene practice for drying hands minimises the risk of cross infection • ensure documentation is complete in order that full written details are available to share with parents

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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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