Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209455 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 school aged children in the Glascote area of Tamworth, Staffordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 all day and 1 child over 5 before and after school. The childminder uses her car to transport children to local schools. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet cat, a hamster 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 a fish tank. The childminder has an appropriate childcare qualification and is able to support children with additional needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have satisfactory opportunities for physical play as they use the rear garden and local parks on a regular basis. They are able to play ball games, ride around on bikes or in cars and use the seesaw or tunnel. They often walk to school which ensures sufficient access to fresh air and helps them to learn about healthy living. The daily routines within the house help them to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, as they are reminded about washing their hands when using the bathroom and have access to individual wipes and towels. Children stay healthy because there are satisfactory cleaning measures in place to prevent cross infection and they do not attend when they are ill if their care would impact on others. All the younger children rest and sleep according to their need, with the childminder finding out their routines from detailed discussions with parents before they attend which is

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Helping children to be healthy

updated by ongoing daily conversations. Children are sufficiently nourished by the meals and snacks provided by the childminder, which usually includes some daily fruit, or the food which their parents choose to provide. They are able to access drinks frequently throughout the day with parents asked to provide prepared bottles for babies. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she knows what these are. Any necessary medication is given only with prior written parental consent, although no evidence is kept that parents have been informed after it has been administered.

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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 welcoming and secure environment where their safety is always considered by the childminder and as a result there have been only minor accidents. These have all been recorded and shared with parents, although the format is not in keeping with current legislation. However, significant incidents have not been recorded. Measures are in place, such as a gate across the kitchen and at the bottom of the stairs to ensure that children play, eat and sleep in safety. They remain on the ground floor, except when using the bathroom, which allows constant supervision and they spend most of their time in the child-friendly conservatory, which is their playroom. They only use equipment and resources which are suitable for their age and ability. Children are kept safe on outings through the use of suitable seats when using the car and harnesses for the pushchairs, with all necessary

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

permissions and insurance in place. Children learn to protect themselves as they practise the detailed emergency evacuation drill, which the childminder ensures that

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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 younger children particularly are familiar with. They are further protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary. Parents are fully informed about what these are before children attend.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they confidently select toys from the wide range of resources which are available to them in the playroom and they are familiar with the routines of the setting. They are interested in what they do and spend increasing amounts of time at specific activities as they get older. The childminder is skilled at adding additional resources into their play to extend their ideas, to sustain their interest or to move them to a more difficult level, for example by the use of graded jigsaws. Children respond well to this type of subtle challenge and move onto more complex puzzles without realising it. They particularly enjoy reading stories and have good opportunities to discuss what is happening in the books with the childminder. Older children use their own initiative to develop their play, such as continually rolling a dice during a board game until they got the desired

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

number, whilst the childminder ensures she provides timely and relevant intervention as she plays alongside the children to enable them to acquire new knowledge and skills. Younger children and babies are provided with age appropriate activities which the childminder intends to develop through the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. They all have frequent learning opportunities during outings and visits, which also offer opportunities to make positive relationships with a wider range of children and adults. They all have a strong relationship which the childminder, which is developed through periods of individual attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their needs met well as the childminder is aware of their individual abilities and interests, which she discusses regularly with parents. She links the children's play to their experiences outside the setting, such as the addition of emergency vehicles during routine play with the train track, to reflect the visit of a fire engine to child's pre-school earlier. Children have a sense of belonging and are happy and feel secure in the setting, some having attended for several years. They are involved in many daily routines, such as getting the chair for lunch, choosing which video to watch whilst eating and washing their hands. Children make such choices and decisions throughout the day as the childminder makes time to ask them what they want to play with and responds positively to most of their requests and ideas. Older children understand reasonable behaviour, are familiar with the setting

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Helping children make a positive contribution

boundaries and see the childminder acting as a positive role model. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong, although they are confident enough to resist helping to tidy away, when they know they should. They are always given praise when they have completed an activity and the childminder will negotiate rewards, such as riding a bike to school, with them when they exhibit desired behaviour.

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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 Children generally get on with each other and the older children understand that the needs of those younger than themselves might be more urgent at times, with the childminder involving them in babies care routines so that they respect these differences. Children become aware of wider society as they play with a suitable range of resources which provide positive images of gender, disability and culture and they use local resources regularly.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has regard for the well-being of the children she cares for. She ensures that the day is structured around the necessary routines and organises the space within her home well to provide an environment which is suitable for children. She has arrangements in place to provide cover for emergencies and to access additional resources. Several written policies are in place and the childminder's procedures work to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and their positive contribution to the setting. Most necessary documentation is maintained, although current records do not accurately record children's times of attendance. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to make some alterations to her documentation and to install a smoke alarm on the ground floor. Since that time she has ensured that she gets written permission from parents before the administration of any medication, although only verbal acknowledgement that is has been given. She has also made parents aware of how to contact the regulator, although this now needs amendment to reflect the new regional office address. A smoke alarm has also been fitted.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that accurate times of children's attendance are recorded • ensure that accident records are maintained in accordance with current legislation • ensure that significant behaviour incidents are recorded • ensure that evidence is gained that parents have been informed of medication given to their children.

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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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