Meldrum Elaine Clare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292333 Inspection date 25 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 lives with her husband and two children of ten and four years, in a four-bedroom, detached house on the outskirts of Cheltenham. The home is close to local shops, play parks, primary schools and a library. The entire house is available for the children with the main care taking place on the ground floor. Upstairs bedrooms are available for sleeping. Children have access to a rear garden with patio and grassed areas. The childminder has been registered for 10 months and currently has 2 children on roll.

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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 She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice course and an approved first aid course. Children make visits to places of interest in the area. A drop-off and collection service from one of the local primary schools is also provided. The childminder is occasionally assisted by her husband, with the prior agreement of parents. 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 range of healthy snacks and meals, which are planned to meet their dietary requirements and prepared from organic produce. They sit together at meal times and are encouraged to develop their eating skills, for example, the youngest children use finger foods and easily manageable cutlery. Children learn about hygiene through effective hand washing and personal care routines, and observing the childminders practice. Children particularly enjoy the garden where opportunities for them to develop their large muscle control are enhanced by a wide range of toys and equipment. They play with balls, climb, use a range of ride on toys and develop their imaginary play using the tent and the sand pit. Details about particular medications and the childminders approach to caring for children if they are unwell, are well documented which contributes positively to children's all round development. Children benefit from the childminder's up-to-date

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to move safely within all areas of the home and garden. They are extremely well supervised and the childminder gently encourages even the youngest children to keep themselves safe, for example, by reminding them to hold onto the doorframe whilst negotiating the step from the garden to the house. Children are protected by the childminder's proactive approach to potential risks within the home. All safety equipment is in place, fire drills are completed each month and smoke detectors tested each week, resulting in children being familiar with these procedures and able to manage in an emergency. The childminder has sought permissions from parents for specific aspects of children’s care, for example, visits to the local park and adult collection details, helping to ensure that children's best interests are maintained. The written child protection policy is shared with parents. This indicates how any child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

issues would be managed to help ensure the children's safety.

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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 confident and obviously enjoy their time with the childminder. Colourful displays and a wide range of well-presented resources assist in their all round development. Children choose their own activities, playing with craft materials, technology toys and helping with simple domestic jobs such as working the washing machine. Children socialise with family members and take an active part in the childminders family life, for example, having their names on the sticker chart, gaining rewards for sitting well at meal times and other simple tasks. They are learning sign language along with their verbal language development and are starting to use this for simple words such as please, thank-you and drink. Children have free access to the garden where they enjoy helping with the flower beds, and have recently followed the life cycle of a moth, which they found as a chrysalis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes good use of the Birth to Three framework to help her identify the next steps in children's development. She develops their self-esteem by encouraging children to be independent, by offering lots of praise, attention to their individual needs. She joins in with and extends children’s play, when appropriate. There is scope to develop planning activities for older children to ensure a good balance is offered to support their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children and their parents are warmly welcomed and information exchanged verbally and through a diary system, effectively assisting in children's individual needs being well met, and providing a very good continuity of care between home and the setting. The childminder is positive and attentive and therefore children are well behaved. They have a developing understanding of 'house rules', for example, where their personal belongings go in the childminder's home. Children's awareness of different cultures and the wider world is developing through play with a wide range of toys and books, which introduce them to all aspects of equal opportunity. Parents are well informed about all aspects of the care provided, through well-presented policies and documents. The childminder shares specific activities, such as sign language books and strategies with them, resulting in this being reinforced at home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The well organised play environment ensures that children feel at home and very much at ease. This contributes to their growing independence and provides a safe

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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 place for them to play and learn. All aspects of documentation are very well kept and are up-to-date. Parents are effectively informed about their children's well being and all aspects of care are discussed regularly. The childminder organises her day around children's chosen activities and she is sometimes assisted by her husband, with routine tasks such as collecting children from school. The childminder keeps herself well informed about different aspects of childcare practice by subscriptions to childcare publications and use of the internet. She has completed her Introduction to Childcare Practice course and first aid training. The provision meets the needs of the range of children cared for.

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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): • ensure a balance of activities are provided which meet the needs of a wider age-range of 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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