Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 255406 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Janet Ashcroft

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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 1999. She lives in Streetly with her husband and 2 sons, aged 7 years and 13 years. The whole of the ground floor, except for the back lounge, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for 5 children and is currently caring for 4 children on a part-time basis.

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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 offers a collection and delivery service to local schools and nurseries. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminders' support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene routines through the childminders good practice. They are encouraged and supported in developing skills of self-reliance with regard to personal hygiene through the equipment provided by the childminder, for example, liquid soap and individually colour coded towels. Children are given frequent opportunities to develop physical skills outdoors, for example, full use is made of the garden and of the local park. Children’s health is generally safeguarded through the childminder’s policies, procedures and records. However, their welfare is not fully assured as parental permission to seek or administer emergency medical treatment has not been obtained and not all items in the first aid box are within date. The childminder does not presently provide meals for the children, however their welfare is safeguarded through her appropriate hygiene procedures when handling

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Helping children to be healthy

the children's packed meals. Snacks of fruit are offered on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move independently around the setting, which is clean and well maintained. Children’s sense of belonging is fostered by displays of their creative work and items of personal equipment. Children benefit from access to and the use of a good range of toys, equipment and furniture which are kept in a good, clean and safe condition and which promote all areas of development. The childminder is generally very aware of possible risks to children’s safety and has taken reasonable steps to remove hazards in the setting. However, the children's safety is not fully assured as wine bottles in the kitchen are easily accessible. Furthermore, not all documents relating to the childminder's use of her vehicle, were available for inspection. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's detailed knowledge of signs and symptoms and of reporting procedures.

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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 The provision is good. Children are able to engage in a broad and balanced range of activities which helps them make progress in all areas of development. They benefit from regular learning and play opportunities outside the home where they are given frequent opportunities to explore and investigate and to relate to others, for example, the local park, library and toddler group. Children’s language and thinking skills are promoted through the frequent questions asked of them by the childminder, for example, questions about their day at nursery and about family members. She listens carefully to their responses, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. Children’s development and learning is being further promoted through the childminder's awareness of 'Birth to three matters', which she has started to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals and the childminder has a proactive approach to caring for children with special needs. The children are able to access a meaningful range of activities and experiences to develop their understanding of the world and to promote their awareness of others. The childminder makes full use of toy library to supplement her own resources. The children behave very well and show care and concern for one another. They are aware of the goals and boundaries in the setting through frequent gentle reminders and older children are involved in creating rules for the setting, which enhances their sense of responsibility and belonging. Children are actively learning about acceptable behaviour during the well organised mealtime routines and good manners and appropriate social skills are encouraged and supported. Children thrive through the consistency of care which the strong partnership with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents promotes. Information is exchanged regularly and in a variety of ways.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to confidently explore and investigate as a result of the creative use made of the available space. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support and a familiar daily routine. The children's welfare and care is mostly safeguarded through the childminder's record keeping, which is well organised, easily accessible and reasonably securely stored.

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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 provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to familiarise herself with procedures where abuse is alleged to have taken place in the care of the childminder and to increase the selection of resources and play opportunities that provide positive images. The childminder now has a clear procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against her. She has increased her range of resources and the children are now able to access a meaningful range of activities and experiences to develop their understanding of the world and to promote their awareness of others.

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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

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): • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure that the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • ensure that wine bottles in the kitchen are made inaccessible.

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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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