Dodd, Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY288254 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Miriam Sheila Brown

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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 and her husband live with their three children aged, fourteen, five and two, in a four-bedroomed house midway between Newent and Ledbury. The home is set in a rural location, close to a village shop, primary school, toddler and playgroups and a pre-school music group. The family have a cat and a rabbit. The childminder has been registered for eight months and currently has six children on roll who attend at varying times throughout the week. All of the ground floor is used by minded children, with the exception of an office. Three bedrooms are also available for children's use. There are enclosed gardens to the front and rear of the

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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 house. The childminder is registered to provide occasional overnight care. The childminder has completed an Introduction to Childminding Practice course and holds a current first aid certificate. She provides care throughout the day, including before and after-school care and part-time holiday care. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of nutritious meals and snacks which assist in developing their awareness of healthy foods and effectively meet their specific needs. They enjoy taking an active part in meal preparation, for example making their sandwiches at lunch time and choosing an animal cutter to create different exciting shapes. Children have easy access to regular drinks. Children develop their large muscle control by jumping, swinging and digging, during daily outside play, using a wide range of toys and large equipment. They enjoy well planned rest times, for example, shared story times after lunch. Children develop a good awareness of keeping healthy and they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, following play in the garden and before eating. However, the towel used by all the children is not changed regularly enough to help protect them from the possible risk of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play freely using the spacious, safe, play areas organised mainly on the ground floor of the home. Potential risks to them are minimised by use of appropriate safety equipment and the childminder checks the house for safety each day. Children play safely in secure gardens to the front and rear of the property, using a variety of equipment appropriate to their ages. Resources are stored at child height and activities are planned and organised prior to children's arrival, for example, box games put out for after school children. The childminder uses very effective methods to ensure children's safety when crossing the busy main road outside her home and when walking children to and from school and playgroup. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately through the childminders good working knowledge and supporting documentation. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident at the childminder's home. They relate well to each other and have good opportunities to socialise with other children at the local pre-school nursery. They enjoy sharing stories with each other and the childminder. They are starting to develop their early language and number skills throughout daily, routine activities such as choosing by colour and counting objects in their books. Children have good opportunities to develop their creative and imaginary play through the varied and well planned play opportunities provided by the childminder. These include visits to the swimming pool, the library van, cooking and country walks. Children learn through their play using a range of toys and resources appropriate to their individual age and stage of development, including older children who attend before and after school. There is scope however, to develop older children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

independent choice of activities. Children's daily activities are shared with the parents, and form part of the effective partnership with them, to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave and play well together and show caring attitudes to each other. They are confident in expressing their wishes regarding food and activities and these are respected and met by the childminder. Good strategies are used to help the children develop positive behaviour and to take responsibility for their actions. They are clearly at ease in the childminders home, moving happily from one room to another and asking for assistance in when required. Children learn about their local community through a variety of visits and daily routines and are encouraged to discuss what they have been doing at school, for example a recent topic about an African village which the school support. Children are learning about what is right and wrong through the childminders effective use of 'house rules', for example, craft work and eating is restricted to the dining room and kitchen and everyone takes their shoes off when they come in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated through discussion, how she would meet the needs of any children with specific special needs. Daily activities are discussed with parents at collection times and menus displayed for their information. Children are cared for in accordance with parents wishes and their needs are well met as a result of the positive partnership between parents and the childminder. This assists in ensuring a continuity of care for all children.

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Organisation

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 organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home within the well organised environment and space is well organised to provide children with a variety of play areas and experiences. This effectively assists them in developing their confidence. Information and general documentation is clearly recorded, shared and up-dated with parents regularly, although at present permission for emergency medical treatment has not been sought. The childminders knowledge and understanding of the National Standards helps to ensure that the care provided meets the range of children's needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminders first inspection since her registration in 2004.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints regarding this provider.

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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): • request parents permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. • ensure that children's hand washing routines effectively protect them from the spread of infection.

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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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