Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY136820 Inspection date 10 March 2006 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 12 years in the Willenhall area of Walsall. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children and is currently minding one child, on a part-time basis. The family has a dog and a rabbit. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a

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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 member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is protected because the childminder takes suitable steps to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the risks of cross-contamination. Her home is kept clean and through discussion she demonstrates a working knowledge of appropriate food hygiene precautions. Children are learning about the importance of good hygiene practices through established daily routines. For example, they wash hands before eating and after toileting or messy play. Suitable hygiene routines are followed in relation to the family pets. The childminder takes appropriate measures to ensure that children's best interests are served should they become ill or have an accident. Children's individual medical information is exchanged and recorded and first aid supplies are well-maintained. Children are cared for appropriately should they become ill and the childminder ensures that parents are clear with regards to her written sickness policy. Through

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Helping children to be healthy

discussion the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of emergency medical procedures, however, her first aid certificate has recently expired. Children’s dietary needs are met because they are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks. For example, cottage pie, vegetables, soup and fruit. Drinks are freely available. Children's allergies and dietary requirements are considered appropriately as the childminder talks to parents about their child’s needs and she records and respects individual requirements. Children have access to a good range of activities that contribute to their good health and physical development. Children enjoys lots of walks and attend local community groups, where they can access soft play and use wheeled toys. Also, children have access to the childminder's fully enclosed rear garden. A range of outdoor play equipment is available, for example, a slide, swing and a variety of balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Consequently, children are given plenty of opportunities to exercise and increase their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s safety is suitably protected because the childminder has satisfactorily assessed and minimised most potential risks to the children in her care. Appropriate safety precautions are in place. For example, strong mesh covers the garden pond, hazardous items are stored outside the reach of children and electric plug sockets are covered. Children are satisfactorily protected from the dangers of fire as the childminder appropriately maintains fire safety equipment, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire blanket in the kitchen. She periodically shares and practises emergency evacuation procedures with 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 The childminder pays particular attention to children's safety whilst on outings; she is able to offer a good level of supervision and ensures that suitable car seats are used if children are to be transported in a car. Children are learning to keep themselves safe by following rules and safe practices. Road safety is discussed and practised whilst out and about in the local environment and children are taught to treat animals with care and respect. Children’s risk to injury from toys is suitably minimised because they are stored safely and the childminder checks them on a daily basis and broken toys are thrown away. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she is aware of local referral procedures. She has attended specific training to improve her knowledge of child protection issues and has a written policy that she shares with parents. The childminder is aware that her first priority is to the welfare of the children in her care and she is confident of her ability to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. Children are not left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted, for example, workmen or visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and having fun. The childminder’s day is planned around children's needs, for example, sleep, meals and school runs. The childminder talks to parents about children’s routines and as a result children are able to enjoy familiar routines that are consistent with those from home and take into account parents’ wishes. Children have good relationships with the childminder and therefore are settled and confident to explore and initiate their own play. They are at ease to go to her for comfort, reassurance and support. The childminder appropriately responds to and anticipates children's needs, for example, when they are tired or hungry and as a result their individual needs are being acknowledged and affirmed. Children can access a general range of resources that help to extend their learning in all areas of development. Toys are stored in various places throughout the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder's home and a selection of toys is put out, on a daily basis, for children to choose from. This includes construction toys, small world items, books and puzzles. Consequently, children are starting to develop independence and they are encouraged to use their own initiative. The childminder supplements her resources, in order to help maintain children's interest and extend their learning, by making use of local toy loan schemes. Children are provided with a variety of activities and experiences. For example, they visit the library, go on outings, share books, watch television and play with an assortment of suitable toys. They are interested and engaged in their play. Children develop social skills at local community groups, where they regularly mix with other adults and children. Regular visits to these groups help to increase the range of experiences offered to the minded children. They are able to take part in craft

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities, group singing and musical sessions and they have access to an alternative range of toys and equipment.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated as individuals. They are learning about diversity through everyday experiences and talking about issues raised through watching children's television programmes. Children have access to a general range of resources that show positive images of others, for example, books, dolls, puzzles and small world figures. The childminder displays an appropriate attitude towards caring for children with special needs. She has no experience of providing such care but, if asked, would talk to parents and consider her own ability and the needs of her family and current minded children. Consequently, all parents can expect any requests for care to be appropriately considered and support sought if necessary. Children behave well because the childminder calmly uses a range of appropriate strategies to manage behaviour, for example, distraction and explanation. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

receive gentle reminders about house rules and good behaviour is rewarded with praise and positive body language. As a result, children are motivated to co-operate and behave. The childminder verbally shares and exchanges regular information, with parents, about children’s care, behaviour and routines. They chat on a daily basis and all parents have received a set of the childminder's clearly written policies. As a result of this two-way sharing of information children receive consistency, parents' wishes are noted and respected and children’s individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder's home. They have plenty of space for play and have access to a variety of resources that are suitably stored. Daily routines reflect children's needs and parental requirements. Activities are varied and appropriate for the children attending. Children’s welfare is positively supported by the childminder who ensures that they receive a good level of attention and supervision. However, Ofsted training requirements are not met as the childminder has allowed her first aid certificate to lapse. Consequently, children's welfare in the event of an accident or illness is at potential risk. Documentation required to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and stored appropriately. However, children's daily records of attendance are not accurately maintained and this has a potential impact on children's safety.

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Organisation

Confidentiality for children and their parents is respected and personal information is kept secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. This information has

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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 now been obtained. Consequently, the childminder is now in a better position to act promptly and in accordance with parents' wishes in the event of an emergency in relation to minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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.

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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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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): • complete a recognised first aid course • ensure register of attendance kept up to date and includes accurate times of arrival and departures.

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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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