Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209803 Inspection date 20 July 2005 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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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. She lives with her husband and one adult child and one who is aged 14 years. They live close to local shops, schools and play areas. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and four children over five on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help children develop a clear understanding of when and why they need to wash their hands. The good methods implemented for nappy changing reduces the risk of cross contamination. The clear procedures in place for infectious children help limit the spread of infection and helps children to keep healthy. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs. Children help themselves to drinks and a varied and nutritional diet is provided throughout the day in order that children develop a healthy approach to eating. Children regularly have fruit and have been strawberry picking with the childminder. They rest and sleep according to their needs and the childminder has a good knowledge of the children's individual routines, which, are incorporated

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Helping children to be healthy

everyday, helping the children to settle. Importance is placed by the childminder on ensuring children are able to play outside in the fresh air. Children are taken for walks to the local library and play area and children take an active part in the many games they play, such as corners and musical statues. This encourages their physical skills and helps children to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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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 safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Young babies are able to crawl around safely and as they get older they learn that they need to be careful as they walk around the toys, which helps them stay safe. Good awareness and supervision by the childminder as they play, encourages their independence well and protects them from harm. There are clear procedures in place to help children understand about road safety and older children know that they need to look left and right before they cross the road. As a result this helps children stay safe. The home is well-maintained and offers good space and a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably with the toys and equipment. Children independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys, which are suitable for the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

age range of children attending. Toys are organised in low storage boxes and cupboards to allow easy access and help create a stimulating environment for children to make their own choices about their play. The childminder's secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures ensures children are protected

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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 from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident and approach the childminder for their needs, which are met well and the childminder demonstrates good awareness of signs shown by the younger children that they require something. Children enjoy close physical contact and relate well to the childminder, giving lots of smiles and verbalisation. The introduction of new words and asking children to point and name parts of their body is helping children to develop their language skills appropriately. The varied range of activities provided indoors and out promotes children's learning and achievements, helps them to develop their curiosity as learners and maintains their interest well. Children are happy and enjoy exploring the easily accessible toys and equipment, finding the letters in the box, putting the dolls to sleep and drawing pictures. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

helps children to develop early maths skills as they count the number of arms and legs on the picture together. Children's creative, sensory and imaginary skills are developed through children having opportunities to paint, colour and explore play dough, although, they do not often explore natural objects from the environment. Physical skills are promoted appropriately through dancing, playing ball, skipping games and going for walks to look at the horses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are met well as the childminder follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents and children are very settled. Clear behaviour management methods implemented by the childminder help children develop their understanding of what is right and wrong and they respond well to the boundaries set, sharing the toys when encouraged by the childminder. Children develop good levels of self-esteem, enjoying the praise and encouragement given to them as they try to achieve different tasks, for example, drawing a person and pointing out parts of their body. Children behave well and play together harmoniously. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through visits out into the local community. However, resources and activities to promote a positive view of different cultures, gender and disability are few. This restricts children's awareness of diversity

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and their understanding of others. Positive methods are in place to develop the partnership with parents with detailed written information obtained on children's individual needs and routines. Parents are informed of how the setting operates mainly through discussion at initial visits and daily exchange of information takes place to keep parents informed of their child'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 well-being and progress. This enables the childminder and parents to work together to meet the needs of the child.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. They are confident to choose their own activities and develop their own play and learning with good support from the childminder to help them feel secure. Policies and procedures are used appropriately to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Most documentation is in place, although written consent to transport children in a vehicle has not been obtained from parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder should improve medication and incident recording. The childminder has made significant improvements which promote children's good health and safety and improves the organisation of the setting. Written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice for their children has been obtained and although the childminder has had no incidents where she has needed to use physical intervention, she has a system in place to record them and share the records with parents.

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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): • continue to develop and extend children's sensory skills with opportunities to explore natural objects, for example by using the Birth to Three Matters

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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 framework • improve opportunities for children to develop their understanding of diversity.

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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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