Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 259738 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and child aged eight years in Great Barr. Schools, parks and pre-schools are within walking distance of the property. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family's pets include a cat and two rabbits. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under the age of five on a part time basis. The childminder collects and takes children to the local school.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm clean home where they are taught the importance of personal care, for example washing their hands after toileting and before eating. The children are appropriately cared for in the event of illness with a verbal policy by which parents agree that children will not be cared for when they have an infectious illness. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regard to children's welfare and keeps her first aid knowledge up to date by attending regular training. However, the contents of the first aid box are limited. The childminder maintains clear records of accidents and medication to ensure children's needs are met. Children’s dietary needs are met through a range of meals and snacks provided by parents, which are appropriately stored until required. The children are provided with regular drinks and fruit is always available. Children's individual dietary needs are

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Helping children to be healthy

noted and taken into account and information is frequently shared with parents to ensure that their wishes are being respected. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health and which help to develop their physical development. Most days they enjoy outdoor activities in the garden and regularly visit the local toddler group for more physical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in well-maintained clean premises and benefit from a suitable range of toys and resources, which are checked for safety prior to use. The premises are warm and welcoming and although space is limited, the children are able to move around safely. The children have access to mainly the ground floor of the property and can easily access the garden. Furniture and equipment are safe and in good condition and children are able to reach their toys easily. Children are generally cared for in a safe environment as all reasonable steps are taken to reduce the risk of an accident. Children are beginning to learn about safety through discussion and explanation. For example, older children learn about fire safety and know the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency and where to go to stay safe. Appropriate fire equipment such as a fire blanket and smoke

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

detectors are provided and are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order. The childminder is aware of her role and responsibility to keep children safe and ensures that they do not have access to the pond although it is covered and the trampoline, which she prevents by sectioning off the area where it is situated. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's appropriate knowledge of child protection issues and of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. Although, her practice is not supported as she does not have a copy of the local areas guidance.

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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 satisfactory. Children are happy, have formed good relationships with the childminder and therefore are settled and confident to explore and initiate their own play. They are provided with a satisfactory range of activities and experiences that reflect their needs, interests and which help them to make progress in their development for example, role-play items, construction, musical toys and books. The childminder responds appropriately to children's gestures and anticipates their needs, for example, when the child shows signs of tiredness. She takes into account parents' wishes and as a result, children are content and receive care consistent with home. Children are provided with learning and play opportunities through everyday experiences such as, visiting the local toddler group and walks within the local community. They enjoy their time at the childminder's home and become involved for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

extended periods using various role-play items and the trains and track. They especially like to spend time with the childminder looking at the 'Thomas the Tank' book and are enthusiastic about their play. Daily routines are flexible to ensure that the needs of the children are met and toys and resources are rotated on a regular basis to ensure that they remain interested and stimulated. The children are beginning to understand right from wrong and behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern and the childminder encourages non-stereotypical play. However, their knowledge and understanding of diversity is limited because of the lack of choice regarding resources that promote positive images of disability. Children are valued and respected as individuals and regular discussions with parents ensure that their needs are met. The childminder has had limited experience of caring for children with special needs but she demonstrates a positive attitude and as a result parents can expect any requests for care to be carefully considered and support sought if necessary. Children behave well and respond appropriately to the childminder. She is calm and consistent and uses a suitable range of positive strategies to manage behaviour, for example, distraction, explanation and frequent praise. The children play happily, making themselves at home and confidently decide what they want to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis to ensure children benefit from a two way sharing of information. Parents are given the opportunity to settle their child gradually into the childminder's home and are regularly consulted about their child's needs.

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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 satisfactory. Children are comfortable and settled in the childminder's home. They receive consistency of care as a result of the childminder’s effective partnership with their parents. Resources and space are adequately organised and monitored to enable children to play and rest in a generally safe and suitable environment. The childminder has undertaken some further training that has helped to develop her knowledge of childcare issues and therefore children's care is enhanced. She regularly exchanges information with parents to ensure that they are provided with a clear guidance as to the service and care that they and their children can expect. Most documentation and records that are required for the safe and effective management of the provision are in place and adequately maintained. However, the

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Organisation

children attendance records are not kept up to date. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency treatment. Children now benefit from effective procedures that ensure their well being is protected in the event of an emergency as parents are requested to complete a consent form at registration. She was also set an action to ensure that her ratios are met at all times. The childminder took immediate action and agreed alternative arrangements with the parent to ensure that the care, welfare and safety of the children was not compromised.

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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 by 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 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the contents of the first aid box complies with health and safety regulations • obtain guidance to support practice regarding child protection • develop children's knowledge and understanding of diversity, for example, by increasing the resources to provide positive images of disability • ensure attendance records are kept accurate and up to date.

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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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