Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209565 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Julie Mary Preston

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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 1993 and works with 2 assistants. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 8 and 12 years in Stafford, Staffordshire. The playroom, dining room, hall, kitchen and downstairs toilet within the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time when working alone and a maximum of 12 children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding 17 children on a full and part time basis including before and

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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 after school care. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminder network group, takes children to the local library, shops and the local park. The childminder a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the procedures implemented by the childminder and her assistants help children learn the importance of staying healthy. Children develop an understanding of good hygiene practices through daily routine activities completed with the childminder and her assistants. For example, washing their hands before meals. Hand towels are changed on a regular basis which minimises the risk of cross infection to children. The childminder and her assistants have an understanding of the procedures for dealing with sickness, existing injuries, accidents and administration of medication. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion and the range of meals and snacks provided by the parents and the childminder. Children are given regular access to drinks and are comfortable to request drinks and snacks as they require them throughout the day. The childminder and her assistants work in

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Helping children to be healthy

partnership with parents to meet children's individual dietary needs. If parents provide children's dietary requirements they are appropriately stored and served to children. This ensures individual dietary needs are met. The childminder is aware of good hygiene within food preparation and storage and reflects this within her practice. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. Regular physical activities help children develop physical skills and gain control of their bodies. For example outdoor games, walks around the local environment, dance sessions and use of the rear garden. Children are given opportunities to rest or sleep in line with parental wishes and individual sleep patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a mostly safe and secure environment where the childminder and her assistants aim to ensure possible risks are identified and minimised. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder and her assistants develop children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and maintain safety both inside and outside the home. For example, adults discuss road safety with children. The home is maintained and offers a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment available.

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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 child friendly environment allows children to independently select activities from the wide range of toys, which are suitable for the age range of children attending. Toys are organised in storage boxes that are provided at child height to allow easy access and are rotated to ensure variety. The childminder has most of the required safety procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example by practising fire procedures, providing smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures that ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. She also holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and show enjoyment of their time in the childminder's care. They are confident and make themselves at home. The children interact well with the childminder, her assistants and with each other showing a clear bond that leads to positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Children gain confidence to express their needs and wants with the childminder and her assistants. The childminder and her assistants take time to listen and make conversation with each child expanding on children's individual interests through discussion and questioning. This develops children's understanding. Children experience a wide range of age-appropriate activities that promote development, encourage confidence, develop independence and promote self-esteem, such as independently selecting activities and resources. All children spend their time purposefully, including children who attend with special needs. Many

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the activities are child led with the childminder and her assistants supporting and extending children's learning. The childminder and her assistants have a good knowledge of each child that attends and their individual capabilities. This enables them to adapt and extend activities to ensure each child gains the most out of each activity they participate in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of equal opportunities and special needs issues. All children are treated as individuals and their needs met. Resources and activities provide positive images and develop children's understanding of themselves and the wider world, for example books, cooking activities, links with local schools and activities relating to specific festivals. This helps children's awareness of the wider world and helps them develop positive attitudes and increases awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Children are well behaved and show care and concern for each other as they take turns and show an understanding of their boundaries. The childminder and her assistants apply a consistent approach to manage a wide range of children's

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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 behaviour. Positive use of praise and lots of encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They have opportunities to rest and to be active within the daily routine. The childminder and her assistants promote positive relationships with parents and work in partnership with them. Discussions are held with parents and children at the initial visits with ongoing discussions and observations undertaken on a daily basis to ensure individual children's needs are identified and met. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her procedures and how children will be cared for by verbally discussing her policies and procedures, providing a policy file for parents to look at at any time and by holding daily discussions with parents about children's

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the relevant training requirements; she has attended a number of relevant courses and is keen to attend additional training. With both the childminder and one of her assistants currently undertaking a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare. The children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. The environment provided both inside and outside the home enables children to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Verbal and written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and well-being. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The required documentation is in place that is accurately completed and maintained. Overall the provision meets the

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Organisation

needs of the children who attend including those children who attend with special needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken appropriate action to address the recommendations raised. Written contracts, medication records, consent for transporting children and emergency treatment consent are now all in place. An accurate daily attendance record is provided and the childminder has effectively organised her records, policies and procedures. These are shared with parents and available for inspection.

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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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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

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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): • Further promote children's good health by reviewing their hand drying provision.

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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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