Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 204580 Inspection date 02 December 2005 Inspector Valerie Fane

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her partner and children aged 11 and 7 in Evesham, near to the town centre. A self contained ground floor annexe is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to and from local schools. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children at any one time and is currently minding five children who attend on either a full-time or a part-time basis. She attends the local toddler group, visits local shops and takes children to the park. She is able to support children with special educational needs. She is a member of

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 the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where their personal health and hygiene needs are generally met well. Children learn good hygiene routines; they know that they must clean their hands before and after eating food. They develop good self-help skills because the childminder encourages all children to try to clean their own hands with individual wipes and then helps the youngest children to ensure that their hands are thoroughly clean. Children are protected to some measure from cross infection because the childminder ensures parents know that she is unable to care for children who are ill. However, she does not take adequate precautions when changing nappies to protect children. She keeps detailed records of any accidents that occur and medication given to children. However, she does not maintain confidentiality when completing the accident book because other children are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

sometimes named on a record. This compromises children's privacy. Children begin to understand the principles of a healthy diet as the childminder provides an interesting range of healthy snacks. Children bring their own lunches, but the childminder discusses the contents with parents to encourage them to provide a healthy diet for their children. Children learn about the importance of fresh air and exercise because they walk to and from school each day. The childminder takes younger children to the park and on outings to the town. Children learn to walk rather than to use the pushchair. Older children play outside after school in the summer; enjoying games of football or making an obstacle course in the back garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where all risks have been identified and minimised. Older children learn to keep themselves safe around the home as the childminder teaches them to put their school bags tidily in the hall and to hang up their coats. They also learn that they must not answer the front door. When they walk to school with the childminder they learn how to check whether it is safe to cross the road and to be aware of the dangers of vehicles coming out of the school entrance. They access a good range of high quality, well-maintained equipment stored at low level so that they can self-select. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and is currently undertaking training in this area. She would follow the correct procedures if she had concerns about a child. Children develop an awareness of how to protect themselves because she encourages children to share any concerns with her and

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

helps them to develop confidence to say 'no' to behaviour they do not like from other

p.3

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 children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well at the childminder's house and develop good relationships with her. Babies enjoy an excellent mix of activities and times of free play throughout the day. As they play they benefit from very good interaction with the childminder. This supports their language and communication development. They choose books from the wide selection available and enjoy looking at them both on their own and with the childminder. Children with language difficulties make very good progress because the childminder uses appropriate strategies to encourage them to listen and to talk. They develop their hand control and their creativity through regular craft activities; using glue sticks as they make collage Christmas trees. They begin to acquire social skills as the childminder encourages them to push toy cars to each other rather than to her. The childminder is making good use of 'Birth to three

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

matters' to inform her practice. The childminder is currently only minding older children for very short periods of time. However, she has previously provided very good care for these age groups and has an interesting range of activities available to support their learning and development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children gain a very positive view of the wider world and an awareness of diversity because the childminder has a good range of equipment, including books and a Persona doll. She extends this by borrowing equipment from the multicultural centre on a regular basis. Children use multicultural puppets and play with a toy bus that has wheel chair access and includes a disabled passenger. Children also take part in activities linked to a variety of festivals; for example they make lanterns to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Children's individual needs are met very well because the childminder forms close relationships with their parents. Before she starts minding she invites children and their parents to visit so that she can get to know them and find out about the child's routines and likes and dislikes. She works very closely with parents to agree strategies and routines for their child's care. If she has concerns about a child's

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

development, she discusses these with parents and encourages them to seek advice from their health visitor. She then works closely with the child to meet their particular needs. Younger children feel secure because she maintains a regular, two-way exchange of information with their parents through the use of a written daily diary. Children behave very well at the childminder's house, responding positively to her calm manner and high expectations for their behaviour. Younger children learn to share and to take turns with toys and the childminder uses appropriate strategies such as distraction to assist their learning. Older children learn to use the egg timer to

p.4

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 help them share the playstation fairly. They also learn to help the childminder to look after the younger children; for example, they fetch the child's changing bag and put it away afterwards.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are at ease in the childminder's home because she is well-organised and they are familiar with the daily routines. They are cared for well because she obtains all necessary information and consent before she begins minding and keeps accurate records of their attendance. They benefit from her commitment to attend regular training because she regularly updates and improves her good practice. She is aware of the need to notify Ofsted when she requires a change to her childminding conditions of registration and is putting the new complaints procedures in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to provide children with healthy and nutritious snacks. Children now eat food that is both healthy and nutritious because the childminder provides a variety of snacks including fruit, toast, crumpets and crackers.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 good. 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):

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 • maintain confidentiality when completing the accident records • improve hygiene practices when changing children's nappies to reduce the risk of cross infection.

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.6

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.6