Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 224598 Inspection date 01 March 2006 Inspector Sarah Jane Rhodes

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult child in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and first floor bathroom are 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 three children under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has

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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 dog and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene, for example, correct hand washing before meals or after using the toilet and have individual hand towels to reduce the risk of cross infection when drying their hands. The childminder also has a sickness policy that excludes children who are infectious, ensuring children are protected from this avenue of infection. The children benefit from toys that are kept clean through adequate cleaning. The childminder ensures that pets have all vaccinations and health checks and supervises the children and animals closely, this ensures the children are protected and can play safely. She has a written pet policy which informs parents of these measures. Children's medical needs both in an emergency and with regard to ongoing medication are met through the use of accident and medication procedures

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Helping children to be healthy

that are clear and understood by the childminder. However she does not have parents written permission to administer individual courses of medication which allows opportunity for confusion or misunderstanding of what is required. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs. She has undertaken food hygiene training and provides a generally healthy and nutritious diet. The children are encouraged to make healthy choices and discuss healthy eating in a limited way. They have access to drinks throughout the day ensuring they are not left thirsty. The childminder recognises when the children need a rest or meal, the children are able to eat or rest according to their individual needs. The children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health. They increase their physical control through daily routines and visits to local play parks and play barns.

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Helping children to be healthy

This helps them develop their coordination and physical strength.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, hazards are identified and minimised. The home is adequately maintained and well organised, this means the children can move around safely and independently. The children can use two rooms for a range of activities and are encouraged to clear away when they have finished with a toy, this minimises the chance of accidents. The outside area is fenced and gated, and the childminder supervises the children when outside to enable them to play safely. Children are aware of safety rules on the walk to school and how to use a pelican crossing, however, she has never practised her emergency evacuation procedure with the children to ensure they have a full understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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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 A good range of safe, appropriate toys, suitable for the age range attending is readily accessible in the hall and kitchen for the children to select from. The childminder has all required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a current first aid certificate. The childminder has adequate knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the latest government guidelines, ensuring children are protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are very settled, confident and happy. They relate well to the childminder, their play and learning is actively extended by the childminder's conversations with them and her appropriate questioning. Children enjoy lots of general verbal communication and praise. Their work is valued and photographs help them remember past events. All this helps to build their self-esteem and confidence to learn new skills. Children become increasingly independent as they learn to use the toilet and to feed themselves. The childminder provides a broad range of stimulating activities both inside and outside the home for the children. The activities are tailored to children's individual needs and interests. She does not currently record any observation of where individual children's learning could be extended and relies on her memory to ensure she incorporates appropriate activities to fill any gaps in children's learning. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children are well occupied and concentrate for good periods of time, they show good skill levels or their age in a number of activities, especially board games. On the day of inspection they played with dolls, undertook a sticker book activity and played with a wide range of board games. The childminder is not currently using the, ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and this would help to further develop the childminder’s planning of the next steps in children’s play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are seen as individuals, their unique needs are met as they follow their own daily routines as discussed with their parents. The childminder has actively ensured that a range of resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability are available to the children in their general play. No specific activities are provided that encourage children to have positive attitudes and an awareness of diversity and the wider world which limits their ability to deepen their understanding. Children have access to all age appropriate activities regardless of gender. The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with special needs. She has a strong understanding of the need to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and working with parents and other professionals to ensure each child has appropriate care and activities. Children behave well for their age and stage of development. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

manages the children's behaviour in a very positive way praising the children, using

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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 distraction and keeping them well occupied. They respond positively to the childminder's boundaries. They play together and alongside one another, developing positive relationships. Children's self-esteem is boosted by praise and encouragement when they achieve different tasks, for example, washing their hands. A positive relationship with parents is promoted, with a range of written information about the childminding service filed and shown to parents. Parents also have policies that they can take away and refer to later. All required written consents are obtained from parents, but the medication consent lacks some necessary detail. Information about how children have been during the day is passed on to parents verbally on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to share any information that they think will help

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder when working with their child. This enables the childminder and parents to work together to meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and feel secure in a child friendly, well organised environment. This means they are confident and able to initiate their own play and are well occupied. Training is seen by the childminder as very valuable and an important way of developing her knowledge and expertise in childcare issues. She has undertaken her first aid course, basic food hygiene and 'Project Minding' courses. These courses broaden the childminder's knowledge and contribute to the quality of care provided. Policies and procedures are in place and are generally used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The policies and procedures are shared with parents to provide continuity in the children's care. Paperwork is well organised and kept in a secure and confidential way. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain parents permission to use transport with the children and ensure parents were informed of childcare procedures including, the complaints procedure, with the regulators contact details. The childminder has obtained the permissions required and ensures parents are fully informed of the complaints process and a range of other details about how the setting operates.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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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 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): • obtain written parental permission to give medication to children, for each course of medication • practise emergency evacuations with children to ensure they fully understand how to keep themselves safe • further develop the provision for children under three years by using, for example, the 'Birth to three matters' framework

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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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