Childminder in Sandwell

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY231650 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Samantha Jayne Taylor

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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 2002. She cares for the children jointly with her husband, who is a co-minder. They live with their family near to Blackheath town centre, Sandwell. The whole of the ground floor, together with the first floor bathroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time; she presently has 8 children on roll aged 4 years, 3 years, 2 years and 1 year old. The admissions policy allows for children aged over 8 years to attend.

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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 have fish in an aquarium. The childminder operates a collection and delivery service to a local school and nursery. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from learning the importance of good hygiene; they are actively encouraged to develop good self-care skills which are incorporated into daily routines, for example they wash their hands prior to eating. Children are confident and happy within their surroundings, a comfortable and clean environment. However, the childminder does not have all the current written information available regarding communicable illnesses, which means that information to support children's health is incomplete. The childminder's knowledge of food hygiene and good practice ensures that systems are in place which minimises the risk of cross infection, for example individual children's food types are stored appropriately and are labelled. Individual cups for drinks are always available and easily accessible, encouraging children's overall independence. The childminder fosters children's self-help skills, for example

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Helping children to be healthy

at meal times the childminder offers additional utensils, to encourage children to learn to feed. Daily opportunities of outdoor play allow children to access different experiences of play which increases both their physical and social skills. Outings such as walks to the park and play groups helps children to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy life style.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming child orientated environment; the front entrance room of the home is designated as a play area. Access to the garden area is made inviting; children watch and point to wind chimes, which blow in the wind. This encourages children to settle within the home, wonder at their environment and also helps them to develop ' a sense of belonging'. Equipment and resources are accessible, which encourages children's independence skills. The childminder pays attention to safety which means that most risks to children are minimised. Fire procedures are discussed and policies are displayed, with older children encouraged to think about the safety of themselves and others, so as to ensure overall safety. The childminder maintains documentation to support transportation of children,

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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 including written permission from the parents and car insurance. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities when working within child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and interested in activities that are provided, for example arts and crafts. They are confident and relate well both to one another, to the childminder and to her co-minder, whom they involve in their play. Children develop independence skills as they access readily available toys of their choice, for example toys which they can bang. They participate in a broad range of activities, which relate to their age and stage of development; the childminder is knowledgeable of individual interests. As a result, children's development is progressed. Children's social skills and language development are promoted by the childminder's appropriate questioning, interest and introduction of new words and experiences. The childminder keeps written observations of individual children's development, which help to inform parents, and which are available as a record to help children to make

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

progress. Children have regular access to creative and messy play, their work is attractively displayed, for example pictures of sticking, where leaves collected earlier in the day have been used. This helps to develop children's positive self-esteem and to recall activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides opportunities which increase children's knowledge and understanding of the world by learning about religion and cultures, for example through use of books and discussion. The childminder has a good understanding of gender related issues and roles, which she shares with children. This helps children to develop a wider understanding of others and opportunities available to themselves. Partnership with parents is promoted in many ways, for example personal references for the childminder and his co-minder are offered by current parents, who are confident with the care offered to their child. At induction the childminder provides consistency of care by discussing with parents the individual child's health, likes and dislikes, the daily routine and by providing regular feedback. Policies are displayed within the setting and are also given to parents. This means that children benefit

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Helping children make a positive contribution

through good relationships and the sharing of regular information. Children have a clear understanding of the boundaries within the home and respond well to each other and to the childminder.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's knowledge of individual children, together with the care offered as a joint co-minder assists in the promotion of children's overall development. Children are able to move around freely and explore their surroundings; the organisation of space is good which ensures children are well supervised at all times. They benefit from having an area designated for play and there is easy access to a secured outdoor play area. The childminder works effectively with their co-minder, sharing tasks and responsibilities; contingency plans are readily in place and children are supported in their development. Whist, children's welfare is safe guarded as, for example, there are good procedures in place for the safe collection of children. Secure procedure for vetting individuals by the childminder ensures that children are protected. Documentation is maintained including detailed attendance records, which

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Organisation

supports the well being of children by having information available to share.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection five recommendations were made; The childminder was recommended to implement the written policy for behaviour management. The provider is not bound to keep a written policy but he has developed a policy, which includes good behaviour management strategies. As a consequence, children learn to behave. A further recommendation was made with regards to the childminder gaining written permission for transporting children in a vehicle. This is now obtained, which helps to protect children. The childminder was also recommended to maintain a daily diary to record evidence of progress for parents. The childminder is not duty bound to undertake this but observations of children's development are made and she makes written records of observations to record children's developmental progress. Another recommendation was made with regards to providing parents with a written complaints procedure, including details of how to contact Ofsted. The childminder

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Improvements since the last inspection

has full details available to share with parents. The last recommendation made was in relation to maintaining a written record of all risk assessments carried out. The childminder undertakes a risk assessment but it is incomplete, as a result not all risks are minimised.

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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

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Complaints 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 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): • update the risk assessment and take remedial action in order to ensure all risks to children are minimised • improve written information held regarding communicable illnesses.

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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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