Childminder in WorcestershireOfsted inspection, 18 Jan 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 204571 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Valerie Fane

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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 satisfactory. 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 1991. She lives with her husband in a bungalow in a village to the east of Worcester city. The bungalow has a self-contained flat which is rented out. The occupants do not have access to the childminder's home. The lounge, kitchen, toilet and two bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to and from local schools. The childminder has two dogs.

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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 is registered to care for up to six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She takes children on short walks and on occasional outings to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is warm and clean where they learn about the importance of good personal care. Young children wash their hands before meals and become increasingly independent because the childminder provides appropriate aids to help them to reach the washbasin. They are protected from cross infection because the childminder has a clear policy in place not to care for sick children that she discusses verbally with parents before she begins minding. However, children do not receive the best possible care in the event of an accident because the childminder does not always maintain a current first aid certificate and does not consistently enter adequate details about the time of accidents and the treatment given in the accident records. She now ensures that parents give written consent for medication but she does not obtain a second signature to confirm that she has

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Helping children to be healthy

notified them of the dosage. This compromises children's well-being. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating because the childminder supplements the food provided by parents with extra fruit and raw vegetables. Children have their personal preferences taken into account because the childminder responds to requests for specific vegetables such as cucumber. Children who stay for a cooked tea at the childminder's house have a meal that includes some of their favourite foods but also includes cooked vegetables such as peas or carrots. Children have limited opportunities for fresh air and exercise. In the summer they use a variety of sit-and-ride toys in the back garden and develop their climbing and balancing skills on the equipment in the local adventure playground. In the winter younger children go on short local walks to collect the post or to look for wildlife.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where most risks have been identified and minimised. The childminder has robust arrangements in place in case of a fire and has appropriate safety equipment fitted and tested regularly. Older children learn to keep themselves safe because they have seen the evacuation plan and have read the instructions for each room. They have occasionally practised the procedures and know how to help the younger children to get out quickly. Younger children learn to follow simple safety rules when they are playing and the reasons for those rules: for example they learn not to stand on chairs because they might fall and hurt themselves. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has some knowledge of the indicators of child abuse and has information about the correct

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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 procedures to follow if she had concerns about a child in her care. Younger children use a range of suitable and safe equipment that is stored in one of the bedrooms. They go with the childminder and choose which toys they want to take to the lounge to play with. Older children have a limited range of toys from which to select.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident at the childminder's house. Young children show sustained concentration as they help the childminder to build a tower with the Duplo bricks. They learn to take turns as they bring bricks to put on the tower. They develop hand control as they push the bricks into place. They begin to understand mathematical language as the childminder talks to them and shows them that one brick is too big for the tower and says that the tower has collapsed because it was too tall. They enjoy small world play with the dolls house and begin to use their imagination: laughing as they put the hens from the toy farm inside the house. They develop an interest in books as they sit with the childminder, who talks to them about the book, helps them to count pictures and asks simple questions to support their emerging speech. Pre-school children develop their creativity and hand control as they enjoy colouring

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

or cutting activities. They learn to write with a purpose as the childminder helps them to write their own name on their drawings. They choose books to look at either alone or with the childminder and enjoy watching some television after a busy morning at a local nursery. Children attending the childminder's house before or after school welcome time to relax and unwind by watching television or using the computer. They sometimes do their homework with support from the childminder if required. They play with toy cars and small world toys or build with the simple construction toys available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder develops close relationships with their families. She discusses children's daily routines with parents before she begins minding and works with parents to meet their child's particular needs. Children benefit from daily conversations between the childminder and their parents about their development at home and at the childminder's house. The childminder keeps a written daily diary if parents request it. If she has concerns about a child's progress and development she discusses her concerns with parents and suggests possible action. Children behave very well at the childminder's house. They respond positively to her calm manner and the consistent boundaries that she sets. Younger children learn to take turns with toys and activities. Older children learn to be kind to younger children

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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 and to share toys with them. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' from an early age: supported by the positive role model provided by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled in the childminder's home because she organises her time well and they are familiar with the routines. Children's well-being is generally safeguarded because she keeps accurate records of attendance and has most necessary documentation in place. However, she does not obtain written consent to take children on walks or to administer sun cream in the summer. Parents have access to the Ofsted complaints information and the childminder has a complaints log in place in line with the new regulations. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to ensure that parents give prior written permission before any medication or creams are administered, to develop the range of toys and equipment to promote children's awareness of other cultures and disabilities, to develop her knowledge of Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures and to familiarise herself with requirements to notify Ofsted of significant changes. Children now receive care according to their parent's wishes if they require medication because parents sign written consent for medication to be administered. However, a further recommendation has been set concerning these records. Children develop some awareness of other cultures and disabilities because the childminder has a limited range of relevant toys. However, they have no opportunity to take part in any activities to further their understanding. Children's well-being is safeguarded

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Improvements since the last inspection

because the childminder now has the local ACPC procedures readily available and would follow these if she had concerns about a child. She is aware of the need to inform Ofsted of significant changes to the home or to resident adults.

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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.

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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

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 quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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 the recording of accidents to include consistently the time of the accident and the treatment given • improve procedures for administering medication by ensuring parents sign the medication record after medicine has been given • maintain a current first aid certificate at all times • obtain consent from parents to take children on walks and to apply sun cream.

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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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