Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504870 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Jane Lindsay Durand

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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 has been registered since 1993 and employs one full time assistant and four casual assistants. She lives with her partner and 4 children aged 12, 9, 4 and 1 in Great Wyrley, Walsall. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently caring for 8 children on a full- and part-time basis. She is also registered to provide overnight care for 2 children under 8 years.

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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 family has a pet dog. The childminder is a qualified Nursery Nurse and a member of the National Childminding Association. She is a foster carer and works as a sponsored childminder providing respite care for families in need. She attends local carer/toddler groups and has gained a level 3 quality assurance scheme accreditation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned routines. The children are aware they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating because the childminder gives clear explanations. Good procedures, such as, children having individual towels and flannels sustain excellent levels of hygiene and help reduce cross infection. There are effective written procedures in place to maintain children's welfare, for example, sick child policy. Children and babies benefit from a healthy and varied diet. They learn about healthy eating through well planned topics which identify which foods are good for you and which are bad and that fruit and vegetables help you grow big and strong. The childminder uses excellent strategies to help the children learn about foods from around the world. They take part in a variety of activities which increases their

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness, for example, visiting the Chinese Quarter in Birmingham where they learn about what ingredients are used to make Chinese dishes and taste testing curries and pasta dishes. There knowledge is further increased by the childminder encouraging children to describe the taste and say which country the food originates from. Children enjoy a range of energetic physical activities that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They use a wide variety of indoor and outdoor play equipment, gaining control of both larger and smaller movements, for example, wheeled toys and building blocks. Regular 'welly walks' to local parks, farms and shops as well as riding at nearby stables, contributes to their general well-being.

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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 well-organised environment, where risks to children are limited through good safety and security procedures. The childminder monitors access to the premises at all times and precautions are taken to ensure the outdoor play area is safe and suitable. Babies and children are able to access a range of stimulating toys and equipment to meet their individual needs. Space and resources are well organised so that children can move around freely, safely and independently.

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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 The childminder has a comprehensive range of procedures and documents in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted including a policy on the collection of children and procedures for taking children on outings. Children learn about the emergency evacuation procedure of the building through discussions with the childminder and regular evacuation practices. The childminder demonstrates some awareness of the Area Child Protection Procedures. However, her understanding of procedures regarding allegations whilst children are in her care are limited. This means children are not fully protected. The children's needs are met when staying overnight because the children has individual beds or cots and bedding and the premises are adequately heated with access to appropriate toileting and bathing facilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder's home. They experience a positive, warm relationship with the childminder, which increases their sense of trust and well being. The children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence through meaningful praise and encouragement from the childminder. They listen well, enter into discussion and have the confidence to ask questions about things that interest them, and the childminder gives good explanations. Children experience a range of activities both inside and outside the home. Equipment and resources are stimulating and fun to maintain their interest. Children are able to develop their imagination and independence by selecting their own activities and initiating their own play, such as, imaginary role play with dressing up clothes, modelling with play dough and physical outdoor play. The children relate well to each other and learn to play co-operatively. They behave

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well and are encouraged, respond to challenges and are praised appropriately. Younger children regularly attend toddler groups to encourage socialising with their peers as well as joining the older children to visit local parks, shops, toy and book libraries. The childminder has started to make effective use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to observe children in their play and plan activities to enhance their all round development. However, the children's individual learning needs are not identified when planning activities. This means children are not appropriately challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are encouraged to play together and behave well. Behaviour management strategies are discussed with parents and included in the behaviour policy. Children's self-esteem is promoted and good behaviour is encouraged and praised through the

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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 effective and consistent approach the childminder has for dealing with a range of children's behaviour. Children respond to age and stage appropriate tactics, such as, distracting younger children and offering alternative activities and talking about consequences of behaviour with older children. The childminder has a very good understanding of equal opportunities and children learn about other cultures and countries. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources which helps children develop knowledge of the wider world, raise children's awareness of diversity and understand the needs of others. Children are encouraged to play with all toys and resources regardless of gender. The children settle well and benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. This promotes the children's welfare and ensures their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

individuality is acknowledged and their needs are met. Parents are aware of how the setting operates through the parents pack provided at registration and daily verbal and written feedback. The childminder encourages children to bring in objects from home related to topics and parents are encouraged to extend activities through discussions with their child. When children are cared for overnight, the childminder seeks information from parents about their routines at home and any sleeping habits. This helps children to have continuity between home and when with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised space and resources. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and needs of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's routines and activities. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to keep children safe and protect children from illness and infection, for example, vetting procedures, excluding sick children and maintaining good hygiene routines. The childminder exploits a wide range of resources and plans a good range and balance of activities to enhance children's learning and development in all areas. The childminder employs one full-time assistant and four casual assistants. She supervises her assistants depending on previous experience and abilities, however, she acknowledges the importance of regularly reviewing their competence in the

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Organisation

areas of work and keeping records of their details which includes information about recruitment, training and any qualifications. When being cared for overnight, the children's needs are met because they are within hearing of the childminder and she has easy access to them during the night. The childminder attends regular training courses to update her knowledge and skills. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder recorded individual children's developmental progress to inform activity planning. The childminder has made improvements. Individual children's developmental records have now been introduced which identifies their learning needs. However, these are not followed through in the planning of activities and therefore a recommendation has been agreed to include how children's needs would be met during planned activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1st April 2004. 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

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): • improve knowledge of procedures taken when allegations are made whilst caring for children • develop planning to include children's individual needs and how these will be met • review assistant's competence regularly in the areas of work undertaken and keep records of their details including information about recruitment, training and any qualifications.

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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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