Childminder in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 251901 Inspection date 10 March 2006 Inspector Permjit Tanda

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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 lives with her husband and three children aged 9, 19 and 21 years. They live in Bilston, West Midlands. There are local shops, a park and school within walking distance. The designated playroom, kitchen and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. The garden is not used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years of whom two attend full-time and the others on a part-time basis. She cares for four children before and after school. The childminder walks to the school to take and collect children.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Children have regular opportunities to practice their physical skills of control and co-ordination through a good and varied range of physical activity weekly. Daily children walk to and from school. They attend local groups where they have the opportunity to use tricycles, scooters and use climbing equipment. Children enjoy kicking, throwing and catching various sized balls. Indoors at the childminder's house children benefit through dancing to their favourite tapes and videos. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Well-established hygiene routines and clear explanations increase children's understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. The children’s welfare is promoted because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They help themselves to drinking water and squash throughout the day. Parents provide the children’s packed lunch which is stored appropriately. Children who attend all day benefit from a mid-morning snack provided by the childminder, it includes healthy options such as fruit. Children after school receive a biscuit or chocolate bar and therefore healthy options are not included. She takes account of the parent’s wishes and the children’s choices to meet their dietary needs. Children are able to have quiet time for sleep or relaxing throughout the day. They benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines which ensure that their individual needs are met appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in their environment. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently in their environment. The childminder gives good priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and that certain rules are in place for their safety for example, children know not to touch the fireguard. The children’s safety outside the home is continued through them learning how to cross the road safely and therefore they begin to understand about the need to stay safe. Children independently select activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The children's welfare and safety is promoted as the childminder has a secure

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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 understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly at the childminder's house. They confidently select from a good range of activities. Children are confident to try new ideas and eagerly take part in a potato printing activity. The childminder works well with the children extending their ideas and play for example, children deicide to use other items such as tissue to make print. Children become independent as they choose between a wide variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to them. They show good levels of concentration during structured and free play activities. For example, children co-operate well during a food tasting activity in which they taste jelly and a range of hard and soft fruits and encouraged to describe the texture and taste. Children increase their thinking and language through the childminder playing with them, listening and talking to them. They learn to count through daily routine whilst climbing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the stairs on the way to the bathroom and during play. Books are easily accessed by the children and their fondness for stories is further developed through regular story sessions at the local library Children spend their time purposefully engaged in a wide range of activities, daily they increase their imagination through a good variety of role play and small world resources. Children express their creativity through a good range of activities. They have regular opportunities to experience painting, mould dough and make collage using a range of materials. Children use their senses to explore and investigate texture and colour using sand and water. Children enjoy exploring and investigating the natural environment and materials and learn to identify features of living things and objects through planned walks to the local park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about their local environment whilst walking and learn to identify local features such as the post office and local shops. Children learn about their own and others customs and tradition through celebrating Christmas, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They also learn to respect each other. The childminder meets the children’s needs well. She works closely with parents in order to identify their likes, dislikes and personalities. She takes account of other factors that may be influencing the children’s behaviour and is flexible and accommodates their needs well. Children have good relationships with each other and learn to show care and concern. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. Children learn to understand behaviour boundaries and play

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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 together well and this is further promoted through posters promoting positive behaviour. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence through constant praise from the childminder, who tells them when they have done something well. Children have a good relationship with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The structure and routine of the day helps children feel relaxed and confident. Children easily initiate and extended their own play and learning. There are clear written business contracts and parents are kept informed about the service through written information about the service and many written policies and procedures. All the required documentation for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children is maintained. The childminder shares information regularly with parents through verbal feedback. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was made which the childminder agreed to implement. The recommendation has been successfully addressed and therefore the children's safety improved. There is a clear fire procedure in place and the childminder also carries out fire drills with the children and maintains a written record.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint. Concerns were raised about the hygiene of the pet dog around meal times, managing the children's behaviour and failing to record incidents of concern and keeping parents informed. This relates to the national standards. Standard 6 safety, standard 7 health, standard 11 behaviour and standard 12 partnership with parents. Ofsted made an unannounced visited on Thursday 6 October 2005. On the day of the visit the childminder was exceeding her numbers of registration there was no evidence to suggest previous over minding. As a result three actions were raised. Provide an action plan demonstrating how you will maintain your registered numbers at all times. Ensure parent's complaints are recorded and prompt action taken. Ensure all incidents of behaviour and accidents are recorded in full. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which

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Complaints since the last inspection

they can see on request. The complaint 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): • develop the existing provision for snacks to further promote healthy eating habits by offering healthier options more regularly to children after school

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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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