Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY299336 Inspection date 19 October 2005 Inspector Donna Stevens

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in Stourport with her son, aged 14 and daughter aged 3. The children use the whole of the ground floor and go upstairs to use the toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog. The childminder is registered to care for no more than four children under the age of eight, of these not more than two may be under five years, and of these not more than one may be under one. The childminder is a member of the NCMA and the local childminding group.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted because they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines. They know, for example, that they must wash their hands after touching the dog, before and after eating and after using the toilet to make sure that their hands are clean and do not have germs on them. Children are able to use the toilet independently and there are good arrangements in place if children become unwell or need to be given medication. The children's individual dietary needs are well catered for because the childminder has an excellent understanding of food nutrition and she gives a high priority to ensuring that children's individual needs are provided for, particularly in relation to any allergies or other dietary requirements. Children are able to choose from a variety of nutritious and filling snacks and help to prepare their lunch and evening meals. Meal

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

times are sociable occasions where the children sit down with each other and the childminder, and eat together. Children are making good physical progress. They get plenty of opportunities for physical exercise. They make regular trips to parks, the local common and enjoy walking the family dog. At home in the garden they enjoy playing on the climbing frame and slide and use a selection of ride-on toys and play ball games.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as a result of the childminder's good awareness of health and safety and all reasonable steps are taken to minimise risks. Children are cared for in a very clean, well maintained and safe home. Toys and equipment are of a high standard and are regularly checked to ensure that children can play safely and independently with a good range of resources. Children are very well supervised both at home and on regular outings and visits. Their safety is paramount and they understand the need to hold hands, not to run around and stay away from busy roads when out with the childminder. In the home children are encouraged to be safe by tidying up toys, not climbing on furniture and respecting the family dog. The children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. There is an up-to-date written policy that is understood by the childminder and shared with parents. The childminder is fully aware of the types of abuse and the signs to look

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children access a good range of quality equipment and enjoy nice activities during their time with the childminder. They are confident in the setting and in their relationships with the childminder. There is continuous positive interaction between them and the children's skills learning and language are expanded through careful explanations, encouragement and praise. The childminder has obtained the Birth to three matters framework and will use it when younger children are cared for. Children are able to enjoy a variety of play opportunities which extend their creativity and become independent learners.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are generally well met. However, the childminder has a limited knowledge of equal opportunities and children are unable to develop a positive attitude to others and gain an understanding about the wider world and community around them. Resources reflecting positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender are very limited. Children behave well and are encouraged to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and age appropriate methods which are used to manage behaviour. These include explanation, distraction and the use of timeout. The childminder encourages the children to share and take turns and to help in the home in a positive way with tidying up. Children benefit from close communication between the parents and the childminder. Time is taken at the end of each day to share how their children have spent their

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

time. However, there is no system in place for informing parents of how to make a complaint and there are no records of complaints kept. This is a recommended area for improvement to ensure parents know how to raise concerns on behalf of their children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because the childminder is well organised and plans days so that there is a variety of activities and opportunities for the children both in and out of the home. The play space is well laid out to ensure children can easily access toys independently. Children benefit from a good level of individual attention. Children's individual welfare, care and learning needs are met through the supporting documentation kept. All required records are kept up-to-date, confidentially stored but are not always shared with parents. Policies and procedures have been carefully thought out with children's safety, well-being and enjoyment being paramount but again these have not always been shared with parents. Overall the needs of all children who attend are met.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • promote equal opportunities actively by increasing resources and activities to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community • develop a system for recording complaints and share this information with parents • continue to enhance partnerships with parents by sharing written information to keep them well informed of your childminding arrangements.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5