Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY289290 Inspection date 06 December 2005 Inspector Sarah Jane Rhodes

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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 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, 13, 18 in Kidsgrove, near Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and two children over five before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from a local school. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group. The family has a

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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 cat and some goldfish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene, for example, hand washing before meals and the using and disposing of tissues hygienically. However the use of a communal towel means that they are exposed to the risk of cross infection when drying their hands. The childminder does have a sickness policy that excludes children who are infectious, ensuring children are protected from this avenue of cross infection. The children benefit from toys that are kept clean through systematic cleaning. The childminder ensures that pets have all vaccinations and health checks and supervises the children and animals closely, this ensures the children are protected and can play safely. Children's medical needs both in a minor emergency and with regard to ongoing medication are met through the use of accident and medication procedures

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Helping children to be healthy

that are clear and understood by the childminder. However she does not have parents written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment which would hamper the treatment of more major medical emergencies. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs. She provides a healthy and nutritious diet and encourages all children to make healthy choices. The children have access to drinks throughout the day ensuring they are not left thirsty. The childminder recognises when the children need a rest or meal, the children are able to eat or rest according to their individual needs. The children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health. They increase their physical control through daily routines and visits to local play parks. This helps them develop their coordination and physical strength.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, hazards are identified and minimised. The home is well maintained and well organised, this means the children can move around safely and independently. The children use one large room for the majority of their play, they have room to crawl, play and learn to stand safely and the childminder can easily supervise them. The outside area is fenced and gated. She ensures children are aware of safety rules when out walking and practises her emergency evacuation procedure with the children to ensure they have a full understanding of how to keep themselves safe. A wide range of safe, appropriate toys, suitable for the age range attending is readily accessible in the main playroom for the children to select from. The childminder has all required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a current first aid certificate and appropriate

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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 insurance for the use of the car. The childminder has not got a copy of the latest government guidelines on child protection issues. However her sound knowledge of child protection issues and reporting procedures ensures children are protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled, confident and happy. They enjoy close physical contact and relate well to the childminder, benefiting from lots of verbal communication and praise. This helps to build their self-esteem and confidence to learn new skills. Children become independent as they chose between a range of toys and activities that are accessible to them. The childminder plans a broad range of stimulating activities with the children. She informally assesses the children's interests and learning styles, for example, one child enjoys books and colouring activities, while another prefers to be more active. These observations are used to tailor the activities to children's individual needs. The children are well occupied and concentrate for good periods of time, they show good skill levels for their age in a number of activities. On the day of inspection they played with the jigsaws, cars and electronic toys, before their naps. The childminder is not

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

currently using the, 'Birth to three' framework and this would help to further develop the childminder's planning of the next steps in children's play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are seen as individuals, their unique needs are met as they follow their own daily routines as discussed with their parents. The childminder has a range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. No specific activities are provided that encourage children to have positive attitudes and an awareness of diversity and the wider world, which limits their understanding. However, a written equal opportunities policy is in place and shared with parents, this ensures everyone is aware that, nobody will have less favourable treatment due to their gender, culture or disability, and any discriminatory remarks would be challenged. Children have access to all age appropriate activities regardless of gender. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with special needs, apart from behaviour management issues. However she has a strong understanding

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of the need to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and work with parents and other professionals to ensure each child has appropriate care and activities. Children behave well for their age and stage of development. A clear written behaviour policy is shared with parents to ensure consistency for children. It sets out positive, age appropriate behaviour management strategies, which were used during the inspection. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a very positive way praising the children, using distraction and keeping them well occupied. They respond to the childminders boundaries, playing along side one another, developing

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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 positive relationships. Children's self-esteem is boosted by praise and encouragement when they achieve different tasks, for example, completing a jigsaw puzzle. A positive relationship with parents is promoted, with written information about the childminding service and policies given to parents. However, they have no information on how to make a complaint. Most required written consents are obtained from parents. Information about how children have been during the day, is passed on to parents verbally on a daily basis and through the written daily sheet for very young babies. Parents are encouraged to share any information that they think will help the childminder when working with their child. This enables childminder and parents to work together to meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and feel secure in a child friendly, well organised environment. This means they are confident and able to initiate their own play and are well occupied. Training and the childminder's links with other childminders through the local childminding group is seen as an important way of developing her knowledge and skills on childcare issues. She has undertaken the 'Introduction to Childminding Practice', business, and first aid courses. These courses broaden the childminders knowledge and contribute to the quality of care provided. Most policies and procedures are in place and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The policies and procedures are shared with parents to provide continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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 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): • obtain parents written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • obtain the latest government booklet on child protection, 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' • develop a knowledge of the, Birth to three framework • ensure parents are aware of how to make a complaint, including the regulators contact details and ensure a record is kept of any written complaints received

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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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