Childminder in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222569 Inspection date 17 January 2006 Inspector Permjit Tanda

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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 lives with her partner and four children aged 15,13,12 and 9 years. They live in Wolverhampton. There are local shops, a school and a park within walking distance. The ground floor of the property and the toilet on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a rear, enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog to which children have supervised access only. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years, part-time. She also cares for a child over eight years after school. The childminder takes the children to a local parent and toddler

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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 group twice a week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy an adequate range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Children have regular opportunities to practise their skills of control and co-ordination through the use of the rocker, tricycle and balls in the garden. They use more challenging physical apparatus at the local park. The younger children have some opportunities to engage in physical play indoors though activities such as ring games, dancing to music and throwing and catching bean bags. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. They actively learn about personal care through cleaning their teeth after meals. The childminder adopts satisfactory hygiene routines to prevent the spread of infection and therefore the children's welfare is promoted. Children are provided with drinking water and squash throughout the day. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder provides the children with a nutritious meal at lunch and tea. Snacks provided include healthy options such as fresh and dried fruits. She takes account of the parents' wishes and the children’s choices and is aware of the children’s special dietary requirements. Children are able to have quiet time for sleep or relaxing throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in their environment. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently in their environment. The childminder gives good priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, children understand that certain rules are in place for their safety for example, children know why the gate is fitted to the kitchen entrance. The children’s safety in the garden and outside the home is continued. Children benefit from a range of physical activities outdoors in the garden which are appropriate and safe. Children learn how to cross the road safely and children are beginning to understand about the need to stay safe. For example, children openly talk about the dangers of the road and how they need to keep themselves and the dog safe. Children independently select activities from a satisfactory range of good quality toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children make effective use of a range of toys and resources that are safe and appropriate. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to detect child abuse and therefore children are protected. However she is unclear of who she would contact if concerned this affects how efficiently such a concern would be handled.

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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 settle well at the childminder's house. Children are independent as they choose between a variety of toys selected by the childminder daily. Children develop a fondness for books and attend story sessions weekly at the local library. They enjoy recalling stories such as "the three little pigs” with the childminder using plastic farm animals as props. Children have good opportunities to increase their imagination through role play and small world toys. Children show good levels of involvement in their play whilst pretending to feed and change the doll because the childminder makes it meaningful. Children have a close relationship with the childminder because she spends much of her time playing and interacting with them, she shows an interest in what they do and say. Children are developing early mathematical concepts through play. They learn to colour and shape match whilst threading and enjoy making pairs with picture cards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They spontaneously count during play with support from the childminder. Children have fewer opportunities to develop exploration and investigation skills through activities such as, sand, water and dough at the childminder's house because they experience these activities at the local group they attend daily. There are few toys for children to build and construct.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children increase their awareness of the local environment through regular walks. They learn to identify familiar features such as the local shops and farm. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities for children to learn about their own cultures such as celebrating Christmas and Easter. Children learn about other cultures through access to books and dolls depicting positive images of other races. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs well she works closely with parents, in order to identify their likes, dislikes and personalities. Children follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children have good relationships with each other and learn to show care and concern. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. This helps children learn to understand behaviour boundaries. Children make

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Helping children make a positive contribution

themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence through constant praise from the childminder, who tells them when they have done something well. Children have a good relationship with the childminder and easily involve her in their play.

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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 structure and routine of the day helps children feel relaxed and confident. Children easily initiate and extended their own play and learning. There are clear written business contracts and useful written policies and procedures in relation to the national standards which helps ensure parents are kept fully informed about the provision. All the required documentation for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children is maintained. The childminder shares information regularly with parents through verbal feedback. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection two recommendations were made which the childminder agreed to implement. Both recommendations have been successfully addressed. The children's awareness of others is encouraged because children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity. Children freely use toys and books depicting positive images of race, culture and disability this is further enhanced through open discussion about difference. The children's welfare is better promoted because the parents written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is obtained.

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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): • increase knowledge of who to contact in the case of a child protection concern • increase the range of resources children have to build and construct.

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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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