Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 224587 Inspection date 17 August 2005 Inspector John Vernon

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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 1993. She lives in a house with her husband and two children within walking distance of shops and schools. All areas of the property are used for childminding except the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are no pets and this is a non-smoking household. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight at any one time. There are currently four children on roll.

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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 attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and benefit from effective opportunities to learn about good personal hygiene during daily routines, such as washing hands after visiting the toilet, before snack and after messy play. The childminder has appropriate documentation and training, including a current first aid certificate to adequately support children’s health needs. Effective, regular cleaning routines ensure that the areas used by the children are hygienic and free from germs thus reducing the possibility of the spread of infection. The children are cared for in a warm, clean, well maintained home. They have good access to outdoor play facilities and equipment and are developing a healthy attitude to being active. Children are offered juice, milk or water on a regular basis throughout the day and enjoy nutritious snacks such as fresh fruit. Through conversation, children have opportunities to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The individual dietary

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment as the childminder has put in place a number of measures to ensure their welfare remains paramount. For example smoke alarms, a fire blanket and clear procedures for evacuation in the event of an emergency ensure that children stay safe. Children are able to rest and play in comfort as there is ample space for their needs. Toys and play resources are available at floor level and are easily accessible to children consequently they are able to self-select, and make choices about their play. The childminder monitors the play materials to ensure they are safe, clean and age appropriate. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys after play and keep within sight of the childminder when in the garden and when away from the home. As a consequence they are beginning to develop a greater awareness of personal safety. A good knowledge of child protection along with a clear understanding of the signs

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and symptoms of abuse enables the childminder to suitably protect the children she cares for.

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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 settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. She supports them well and builds good relationships with them. Children benefit from warm and friendly interactions with the childminder, enabling them to develop good social and communication skills as she takes time to talk and listen to the children. Children are given opportunities to play independently and learn through a variety of play experiences. The childminder organises some art and craft activities for them which they are able to complete to their own satisfaction. As a result, their interest is maintained, social skills developed and self confidence raised. Children are settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. She supports them well and builds good relationships with them. Children enjoy developing their imagination and creativity through singing, listening to rhymes and stories and participating in a good range of activities. Skills and concepts

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are developed through daily routines, such as counting bricks, comparing the size of toys and sorting objects according to colour. As a result children develop some language and number skills. However, children’s development is random and unplanned and their progress is not sufficiently monitored. As a result the children’s opportunities to develop appropriate skills are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They understand behaviour boundaries as the childminder has established ground rules. Inappropriate behaviour is challenged and the childminder uses a range of voice tones to manage behaviour sensitively. Children grow in self-esteem and feel pride in their achievements as the childminder offers lots of positive praise and encouragement. Individual children’s needs are met. The childminder has a good knowledge of the care needs of children with special needs. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of building positive relationships with parents and consequently relevant information is shared to ensure consistency of care. The childminder has an awareness of her role in promoting equality of opportunity. However, currently she does not plan or provide activities for the children to enable them to learn about other people and the wider world. Equally, children have limited

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Helping children make a positive contribution

access to sufficient resources to enable them to explore and learn independently.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have good levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure. Suitable documents and procedures are in place to support the appropriate care of

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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 each child. Their needs and routines are discussed on a regular basis with parents thus contributing to the continuity of the children’s care. Documents are stored securely and safely in order to ensure children’s privacy. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to become familiar with local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and devise and implement a system to record any significant incidents and physical restraints. The childminder has completed a Child Protection course and made herself familiar with local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures. She has devised and implemented a system to record any significant incidents and physical restraints. However, she does not provide activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and is only just beginning to consider obtaining suitable resources.

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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): • provide an appropriate range of activities and resources to enable children to learn about the wider world • further support and monitor the development of children under three, through the provision of appropriate activities, for example through the use of the Birth to three matters framework

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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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